New Hampshire
New Hampshire is Called the Granite State Thanks to a Song
It all started millions of years ago during the Ice Age. That’s when the granite in New Hampshire started to form through compressions deep below the earth’s surface.
In the 1800’s people in New Hampshire began to quarry granite because it was so abundant in the region.
According to cowhampshireblog.com, the state was known to have granite fields across the state, but in 1825, while General Lafayette was enjoying a public dinner in Dover, one Colonel Philip Carrigain, an attorney, decided to sing a song he wrote.
The poem talks about “the Granite State to see”, penned by Colonel Carrigain. Carrigain mentions “the Granite State” again in his personal letters. The Concord Register published the lyrics to the song, and also the New Hampshire Patriot & State Gazette.
Months later the Haverhill Gazette & Patriot reported the term “granite state”, coined by Carrigain and so it caught on with the public as well. It all started with a song.
While most Granite Staters don’t know Carrigain’s name, he does have some prominent landmarks and waters named after him in the White Mountains.
If you study New Hampshire history you will know the Colonel’s name because he was not only a prominent attorney, but also Secretary of State for New Hampshire, and he was asked to publish a map of New Hampshire, which he did in 1816 or thereabouts.
Gray Granite via Canva.com
According to swensongranite.com, the state’s largest company to quarry “Concord Gray” granite, it’s the only granite company to survive the Great Depression. Quarrying granite was popular in the 1800’s, but with global competition, quarrying in New Hampshire is not as popular today.
In fact, if you see that light gray granite curbing, it’s likely to have come from Concord’s Swenson Granite.
We Love These Veteran Owned and Operated Businesses in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, we live free and are proud of it! Just take a look at our license plates. However, we are only able to live free because of the brave. We are thankful to the brave men and women who are currently fighting/have fought for our country. Many of them own thriving businesses in New Hampshire today. If you get a chance to support one, do it! These hard working people exemplify what living in New Hampshire is all about.
Gallery Credit: Kira
New Hampshire Plane Crash – Mt. Success 1954
Below are images of the plane that crashed into Mt. Success, in New Hampshire, in 1954. The plane remains at the crash site and is still in the woods. If you visit, please leave things the way they are and respect those who went through such a tragic event.
New Hampshire
Police locate missing New Hampshire teen during Portland traffic stop
PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — Police say they found a missing New Hampshire teen during a traffic stop in Portland on Monday.
Police say they stopped a car at the intersection of Hanover Street and Lancaster Street around 8:35 p.m.
Police say they arrested 19-year-old Wyatt Boulette of Springvale and charged him with operating after suspension or revocation and violating conditions of release. He was taken to the Cumberland County Jail.
A 17-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the car, had a warrant for his arrest. He taken Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
Wyatt Boulette (Cumberland County Jail)
Police say another passenger, a 17-year-old girl, had been reported missing in Tilton, New Hampshire. She was taken to the Portland Police Department, where she was later released to her mother.
No other details have been released at this time.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
Anyone who has any information about this case is asked to call the Portland Police Department at (207) 874-8575. You may also text the keyword PPDME and your message to 847411.
New Hampshire
Man killed after shooting police officer, NH authorities say
A man was killed Monday in an exchange of gunfire with police in Ashland, New Hampshire, authorities said.
The office of New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said Ashland police stopped a vehicle Monday evening on Main Street. A man in the vehicle, whose name has not been released, allegedly pulled a gun.
Officials said the man shot and wounded one police officer. The man was shot during the confrontation and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer is being treated at a hospital for a gunshot injury. No one else was hurt, authorities said.
Formella’s office is investigating the shooting alongside New Hampshire State Police.
The names of the officers involved in the incident will not be shared until interviews are completed, authorities said. The man killed in the shooting will be publicly identified after next of kin are notified and an autopsy is conducted.
No further information was immediately available.
New Hampshire
TRAENE Fitness Pickleball Brings Pickleball Courts And Wellness Options To Dover
Dover, New Hampshire is finally going to see something go into the old Ames Building, (same plaza as Hannaford) at 833 Central Avenue. It’s not just “something,” it’s a Community space we didn’t know we wanted.
Justin Grondahl is the owner of TRAENE Fitness & Pickleball and he’s opening one here in Dover. He has 63,000 square feet to make beautiful. Justin is the son of the co-founder of Planet Fitness that started right here in Dover, New Hampshire.
Justin spent some time with me here in the Townsquare Studios and told me everything we can expect.
You will not believe what he has in store for this place. It makes me want to move to Dover. (although it’s like my 2nd home – I’m here all. the. time.) Check out what his plans are:
- 10 indoor pickleball courts
- 3,000 Square Foot Classroom for Megaformer Pilates Classes
- 20,000 square feet of just gym equipment
- 2 Cold Plunges
- 3 Saunas, with three floors. Lots of people can fit into them
- Big Locker Rooms
- Red Light Beds
- Massage Chairs
- Massage Beds
- Tanning Booths
TRAENE Recently Added a Peptide Clinic to their Plans
If you are unfamiliar with peptides, they are chains of amino acids that help you heal injuries, build muscles and in some cases, lose weight.
After Justin told me all this, I asked if they will have food and drinks too because it was the only thing I could think of that they didn’t mention! He said, “yes, we’ll have something.”
What’s Up With the Penguin?
When Justin came into the studio, he had a TRAENE branded shirt that included a penguin. When I asked him why a Penguin, he said that it has always been his favorite animal because they are very tied to their Community. They never really leave and they are always together.
READ THIS: 6 Reason’s Why Brown’s Lobster Shack is a NH Seafood Treasure
Justin is already under construction of TRAENE. He said they should be open in the Fall of 2026.
Another incredible perk of being part of the TRAENE community is they are going to pick between 10 – 15 Members of the Month who are going to get rewards like:
- Renting out a race track
- Limo service to Bruins or Celtics games, whichever the member chooses
These trips will be all paid for, all free, Justin said.
New Fitness & Pickeball Center Opening Up in the Fall of 2026 in Dover, NH
As soon as I hear about when TRAENE is opening, I’ll let you know and you and I can get our pickleball team together. Justin did say sometime in the fall, but no specific date.. yet.
8 New Hampshire Restaurants That Closed in January/February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
All Team USA New England Athletes Who Won Medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics
As of Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10 athletes from New England won medals in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
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