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What New Hampshire looked like in the 1980s and 1990s

New Hampshire’s economy slowly began to improve during the 1950s. New companies have replaced old textile mills and shoe factories with machinery, precision instruments, electrical products, and eventually, computers and computer accessories. In the 1960s, New Hampshire had become one of the fastest-growing states east of the Mississippi River; its population nearly doubled between 1960 and 2000. In addition to its economy, the state’s politics have also changed.

In the 1980s, New Hampshire’s population skyrocketed as major highways connected it to Greater Boston and created more bedroom communities. With the seventh-highest median household income in the U.S. and some of the lowest poverty, unemployment, and crime rates, New Hampshire has become one of the wealthiest states in the nation.

If you grew up in the 80s and 90s News Hampshire, you would remember visiting the toy Castle in Claremont, watching horse run at Rockingham Park, shopping at the Pheasant Lane Mall, and Blizzard of 1993.

Here are some stunning photos that show New Hampshire in the 1980s and 1990s by John Maroglies

#1 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1995

#2 Highland Cottages, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1984

#3 Jade Island Chinese Restaurant, Meredith, New Hampshire, 1982

#4 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1994

#5 Tin soldier, Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1981

#6 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1996

#7 Plane view 2, Salute to the USA mini golf, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1982

#8 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1981

#9 Indian Head Resort, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1998

#10 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1991

#11 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1998

#12 Newport Diner, Main Street, Newport, New Hampshire, 1984

#14 The English Village, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#16 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#17 Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1983

#18 Dinosaur by castle, Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1991

#19 Seven Gables Motel, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1985

#20 Plane view 1, Salute to the USA mini golf, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#21 Windmill, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1985

#22 Summer cottage, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1984

#23 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1984

#24 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1995

#25 Piper Trail Motor Court, Albany, New Hampshire, 1984

#26 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#27 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#28 Play the ball sign, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1983

#29 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1991

#30 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#31 Santa’s Village parking lot sign, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1987

#32 Jade Island Chinese Restaurant, Meredith, New Hampshire, 1981

#33 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1983

#34 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#35 White Gables Motor Court, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#37 Mt. Jefferson Motel, Randolph, New Hampshire, 1983

#38 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1997

#39 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1986

#40 Space Fantasy facade and rocket, Storyland, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1987

#41 His-hers sign, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1987

#42 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#43 Go-Go mini golf, Route 1A, pirate, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1982

#44 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1998

#45 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1998

#47 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1984

#48 Three kings nativity scene, Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1981

#49 Giant baseball hole, Salute to the USA mini golf, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#50 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1994

#51 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#52 Mt. Jefferson Motel, Randolph, New Hampshire, 1983

#53 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1995

#54 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#55 Ball on wrong green sign, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#56 B and M Train, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1988

#57 Entrance, Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#58 Plane view 3, Salute to the USA mini golf, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#59 Uncle Sam hole, Salute to the USA mini golf, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#62 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#63 Barn, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#64 Seven Gables Motel, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1988

#65 Next Bear Show sign, Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#66 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#67 Indian Head Resort, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#68 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1995

#69 Salute to the USA mini golf, USA map, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#70 Cog railway, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1982

#71 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#72 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#73 Overall, Storyland, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1995

#75 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1994

#76 Covered bridge sign, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#77 Snowman (vertical), Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1981

#78 Pemi Motor Court, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1994

#79 Creamland ice cream sign, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1980

#80 Peterboro Diner, Peterborough, New Hampshire, 1980

#81 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#82 Seven Gables Motel, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1984

#83 Pemi Motor Court, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#84 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#85 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#86 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1995

#87 Grand View Resort, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1984

#88 White Gables Motor Court, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1984

#90 Porky’s Drive-in sign, Laconia, New Hampshire, 1984

#91 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#92 Parking sign 2, Storyland, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1981

#93 Tractor wagon, Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#94 West Alton Railroad Station, Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1982

#95 Clark’s Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1996

#96 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#97 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1996

#101 Alamo hole, Salute to the USA mini golf, Lake Winnipesaukee Pier, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1997

#102 Weirs Superette, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#104 Piper Trail Motor Court, Albany, New Hampshire, 1981

#105 Lighthouse observation tower, Randolph, New Hampshire, 1981

#106 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1991

#107 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#108 Mt. Jefferson Motel, Randolph, New Hampshire, 1985

#109 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1985

#110 Entrance, Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire,1991

#111 Green Village Court, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1996

#112 Erin Wrinkle Moose sign, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1996

#113 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1983

#114 Pemi Motor Court, diagonal view 1, Route 3, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

#115 Storefronts and wagon, Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#116 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1985

#117 Wentworth Location Cemetery, Wentworth Location, New Hampshire, 1991

#119 Dinosaur by castle, Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#120 J.B. Scoops Ice Cream, Meredith, New Hampshire, 1981

#122 Six Gun City, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

#123 Wentworth By-The-Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire, 1997

#124 Seven Gables Motel, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 1981

#125 Grand View Resort, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 1984

#126 Santa’s Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1989

Santa's Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1989

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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15 Comments

  1. The pictures are lovely, but there’s too much repetition. Does anyone recall the name of the old general store that was situated near the Weirs Beach Drive-In just around the corner heading south? It was later demolished and replaced with condos. Thank you.

  2. While much of the commercial activity remains in place, New Hampshire’s connectivity to the southern border was established via highways well before the 1980s. However, what has changed is the steady increase in automobile ownership and the consequent sprawl into the southern tier. Unfortunately, New Hampshire seems intent on emulating the rest of the US by introducing big-box stores and decimating downtown areas like Claremont, Manchester, and others through the construction of multi-lane suburban roads to accommodate the sprawl infrastructure. Since the late 70s, ABC New Hampshire has implemented this model to practically every roadway in the state, transforming most villages into traffic hubs that prioritize through traffic over the welfare of those who reside on the road. The effects are most apparent while crossing over into Vermont from New Hampshire. It’s ironic that New Hampshire is often portrayed as a quaint, idyllic, cow-filled state with charming villages at the border when the truth couldn’t be further from it. Development and automobile-centric engineering are the driving forces, with everything else being disregarded.

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