in

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 Empire Theater, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1980

Empire Theater, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1980

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

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

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

Clark's Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1996

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

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

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

Indian Head Resort, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1998

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

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

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

Santa's Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1998

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

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

#16 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1991

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1991

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

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

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

Dinosaur by castle, Santa's Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1991

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clark's Trading Post, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1991

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

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

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

Santa's Village, Route 2, Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1997

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

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

#34 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1983

Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1983

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

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

#37 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1994

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1994

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

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

#40 Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1986

Hearthside Village, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, 1986

#41 Space Fantasy facade and rocket, Storyland, Route 16, Glen, 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

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

#46 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1991

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1991

#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

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

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

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

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

#61 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1996

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1996

#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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#100 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1982

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1982

#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

#103 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1991

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1991

#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

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

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

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

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

#118 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1983

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1983

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

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

#121 Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1997

Story Land, Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire, 1997

#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

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

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Aung Budhh

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

50 Comments

  1. That’s a strange group of photos to capture New Hampshire in the ’80s and the ’90s in boy do I feel like a dinosaur. Since I would be capturing New Hampshire of the ’50s in the ’60s , before highways sliced and diced the state encouraging sprawl, before the advent of big blocks shit stores that are the same from Pasadena California right incidentally now sit lol two Manchester New Hampshire all the same crap. Pictures of South Willow Street in Manchester when there was nothing we are except trucking companies and the Mall of New Hampshire was farm or Bedford New Hampshire back of the road was simply a sleepy farm road to some of the most beautiful pristine farmland. The kind of thing you might still see in Europe when you leave the village of the town but not in America It’s swallowed up by parking lots and malls. Or urban renewal itself and how that destroyed huge swathes of inner city concord especially the rail yards and that lost opportunity, Manchester the destruction of the amoskeag milliard which might have been a UNESCO site. It was bantured about and long before Rowes wharf in Baltimore or Quincy market in Boston Made their appearances, and then poor Nashua. There’s certainly is a lot more money in the state these days for sure but everything can’t be measured in dollars and cents

Load more comments