Kingston, New Hampshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingston, New Hampshire
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Town Hall
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Location in Rockingham County and the state of New Hampshire.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Rockingham |
| Incorporated | 1694 |
| Villages |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 21.0 sq mi (54.5 km2) |
| • Land | 19.8 sq mi (51.3 km2) |
| • Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km2) 5.90% |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,202 |
| • Density | 313/sq mi (121.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code |
03848
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| Area code(s) | 603 |
| FIPS code | 33-015-40100 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0873638 |
Kingston is a charming town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. In 2020, about 6,202 people called Kingston home. It's known for its rich history and beautiful natural areas.
Contents
The History of Kingston, New Hampshire
Kingston has a long and interesting past. It was the fifth town ever established in New Hampshire! Originally, it was part of a larger area called Hampton.
After a conflict known as King Philip's War, peace agreements with local Native American tribes made it possible to create new settlements. Also, in 1692, new agreements were made about land between the areas of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire.
Because of these changes, some residents of Hampton asked for their own separate town to be created from the western part of Hampton. So, in 1694, King William III of England officially granted a special document called a "royal charter." This document established the town of "Kingstown," named to honor the King. The original charter still exists today!
Exploring Kingston's Historic District
The center of Kingston is a special historic district. Many old buildings and sites here tell stories of the past. These include the Kingston town hall and the Josiah Bartlett House. Josiah Bartlett was a very important person who signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Other historic places are the First Universalist Church, the Sanborn Seminary, and the Nichols Memorial Research Library. You can also find the Kingston Historical Museum, which used to be the town's first fire station. The Cemetery at the Plains is where Josiah Bartlett is buried.
West Kingston: A Glimpse into Early Life
West Kingston is a part of town located near Danville. Early settlers built a strong log house here called a "garrison house." It had two big rooms downstairs and a large open space upstairs. Even though the house was taken down in the early 1900s, you can still see the stone step and where its cellar used to be.
Long ago, making charcoal was a big business in West Kingston. Charcoal was carried by horse-drawn wagons to many cities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. People used it to start fires in their homes and in large workshops.
Many people also made shoes in small, one-room shops. Unlike today's factories that make many shoes quickly, these early shoemakers crafted each shoe by hand. There was also a shop that made barrels entirely from wood, using pine and birch. These barrels were then sold, often to fishermen for packing fish.
Geography and Natural Features
Kingston covers about 54.5 square kilometers (21.0 square miles). Most of this area is land, but about 3.2 square kilometers (1.2 square miles) is water, including ponds and rivers.
The highest point in Kingston is the east summit of Rock Rimmon Hill. It stands about 107 meters (350 feet) above sea level. Most of the town's water flows into the Powwow River, which then joins the Merrimack River. The northern part of town is drained by the Little River.
Towns Near Kingston
Kingston shares its borders with several other towns:
- Brentwood (north)
- Exeter (northeast)
- East Kingston (east)
- Newton (south)
- Plaistow (southwest)
- Hampstead (southwest)
- Danville (west)
- Fremont (northwest)
Points of Interest
Several important places in Kingston are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places:
- First Universalist Church: Built in 1879, it was used as a church until 1954.
- Josiah Bartlett House: Built in 1774, this historic home is not open to the public.
- Nichols Memorial Library: Built in 1898, it is now a research library.
- Plains Cemetery: This is where Josiah Bartlett and some Civil War veterans are buried.
- Sanborn Seminary: Built in 1883, it was used as a school until 2006.
Kingston Days Celebration
The town of Kingston celebrates "Kingston Days" every year on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August. This event celebrates the town's founding date of August 6, 1694.
During Kingston Days, you can enjoy live music, family activities, a large flea market, and car and motorcycle shows. There are also special demonstrations, like a karate show and a police dog demonstration. The Kingston Historical Museum and the Nichols Memorial Research Library are also open for visitors during this time.
Education in Kingston
Kingston is part of the Sanborn Regional School District (SAU 17). This district provides public education for students from Kingston, Fremont, and Newton.
Schools located in Kingston include:
- Sanborn Regional High School (for grades 9–12)
- Middle school students (grades 6–8) also attend Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston.
- D.J. Bakie Elementary School (for grades Pre-K, K, 1–2)
- Memorial School (for grades 3–5) is located in Newton.
There are also pre-schools in Kingston:
- Kingston Children's Center (for grades Pre-K, K)
- Story Book Station (for grades Pre-K, K, 1)
Population and Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 906 | — | |
| 1800 | 785 | −13.4% | |
| 1810 | 746 | −5.0% | |
| 1820 | 847 | 13.5% | |
| 1830 | 929 | 9.7% | |
| 1840 | 1,032 | 11.1% | |
| 1850 | 1,192 | 15.5% | |
| 1860 | 1,216 | 2.0% | |
| 1870 | 1,054 | −13.3% | |
| 1880 | 1,080 | 2.5% | |
| 1890 | 1,120 | 3.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,132 | 1.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,015 | −10.3% | |
| 1920 | 859 | −15.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,017 | 18.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,002 | −1.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,283 | 28.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,672 | 30.3% | |
| 1970 | 2,882 | 72.4% | |
| 1980 | 4,111 | 42.6% | |
| 1990 | 5,591 | 36.0% | |
| 2000 | 5,862 | 4.8% | |
| 2010 | 6,025 | 2.8% | |
| 2020 | 6,202 | 2.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2010 census, Kingston had 6,025 people living in 2,288 households. Most residents (97.0%) identified as White. About 21.2% of the town's population was under 18 years old. The average age in Kingston was about 43.7 years.
Notable People from Kingston
- Josiah Bartlett (1729–1795): A very important person in American history, he was one of the Founding Fathers and signed the Declaration of Independence. He was also the first President of New Hampshire.
- Luella J. B. Case (1807–1857): An author and writer of hymns.
- Henry F. C. Nichols (1833–1890): A member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
See also
In Spanish: Kingston (Nuevo Hampshire) para niños
