![]() ![]() So, this notorious battleground state that refuses to adhere to one side or the other wasn’t going to just roll over when the mills left. This particularly strong swing-state sees visits from every major candidate each cycle, and not only is it the first in the series of party primary states that vote, and a lot of the time, the way that towns like Dixville Notch vote comes fairly close to what the end result ends up being. In fact, this lack of decisiveness has long been a calling card for the state, most notably in the form of presidential elections. New Hampshire’s identity is inherently based around a lack of true identity, and the “Live Free or Die” state would be damned if a shoe mill was going to define what the state is in the eyes of the nation. But, did the town itself die with the shoe industry? Not exactly. Now, in 2019, this is just a historical footnote. Wallace Shoe Company (later the Rochester Shoe Corporation) was the largest employer in the area and the cornerstone for the prosperity of the city. Situated strategically by the Cocheco and Salmon Falls Rivers, the power provided by these two rivers proved to be a perfect location for a series of mills and factories that still stand as a sort-of shell today. One city that is marked by this perseverance is Rochester. And, instead of letting the moss take over these old industrial titans, the people of New Hampshire have reclaimed them as their own. However, even though those industries left, the residents did not. ![]() Now, many of the cities that once served as industrial hubs have brick-faced factory buildings standing as a testament to what things used to be. The “Granite State,” nicknamed after it’s vast quarries, was a juggernaut when it came to factories and work, but as time marched on, this faded. So, this begs the question: What is New Hampshire, if it isn’t all these generic images? The name evokes imagery of moose, forests, maple syrup, and odd dilapidated amusement parks - things that one can argue are also common in all the states that border it. Thanks to New Hampshire, industry skyrocketed in this country, and for a solid period of time, the state served as one of the largest exporters of cotton textiles in the world.īut for tourists or those not really familiar with the state, New Hampshire feels kinda kitschy. But don’t let this fool you even in the slightest. Population-wise, it ranks 41st for the highest population, and also 46th in area. Situated right in the middle of New England and almost entirely landlocked, the ninth state in the union is a bit of an oddity compared to its neighbors. Fortunately for us, Skele-Tone Records in Rochester not only stands as the best record store in the Granite State, but it also perfectly represents what New Hampshire identity really is. A more difficult thing in this instance is defining what New Hampshire truly is. For those instances, you have points of comparison that transcend state lines and line up more with individual experiences. ![]() There’s a lot more objectivity when it comes to defining the “best” of something when the terms are a bit more comparable to something more universal like a restaurant. Finding the best place to get music in the state of New Hampshire, in all honesty, isn’t that difficult of a task. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |