Page 138 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

early 18th century in Main Street. Concord was chosen after the revolutionary War as the state capital because it has a central location. This was still the days before road was easy and before steam travel had been invented. In 1807 Samuel Blodget built a canal and lock system to allow vessels to get around the Amoskeag Falls downriver of Concord and so giving a direct connection with Boston using the Middlesex Canal.
During these years, Concord became noted for its highly skilled artisans who
made fine furniture. Granite was also quarried nearby. It also became a center for making horse-drawn coaches to travel on
the turnpike roads being developed in the 18th century. In the 19th century, Concord became a hub for the railroad industry. Penacook (a village now within Concord) became a textile and leather manufacturing center using water power from the rapids
of the Contoocook River, and later used steam power. However, in the following years other places became more competitive for manufacturing, and today Concord‘s main businesses are state government, health care and insurance.
Main St. 1908.
Capitol Building.
138