New Hampshire S Easternmost Town Is Unforgettable

Only a few towns lie along the boundary where New Hampshire meets the Atlantic Ocean. They are unlike any other area of the state with their rocky shores and sandy beaches. Only one of these towns is the furthest point to the east though. Let’s take a trip to Rye.

The small town of Rye was the site of New Hampshire’s first settlement in 1623. The village was originally established by fishermen as Pannaway Plantation, but was later relocated to what was then called Strawberry Banke, now known as Portsmouth.

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Rye is home to four state parks and beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Odiorne Point State Park is the site of Seacoast Science Center and was once the location of Fort Dearborn. Remnants of the World War II-era fort can still be seen along the park’s hiking trails.

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Jenness State Beach is a small beach in Rye where swimmers can enjoy the chilly Atlantic Ocean and sandy shoreline.

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Wallis Sands State Park is a larger beach and recreation area first opened to the public in 1964. In the early 20th century, the beach was also the site of a United States Coast Guard station.

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No interstate routes pass through the town, but meandering State Route 1A follow the coastline and allows for scenic rambles along the ocean.

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The Parsons Homestead is a historic home in Rye and is one of only a few lasting examples of a local variant of the Federal style of architecture. The house is said to date back to 1800 but traditional estimates of its construction also harken back to 1757.

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New Hampshire’s historic Isle Of Shoals is located partly in Rye, even though it is physically 6 miles offshore. This group of small islands has been settled by humans for more than 400 years.

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For more information on the scenic seacoast town of Rye, visit the town’s official website. Their facebook page is also the place for the latest updates on events and happenings.