1878 State Prison
In Concord, stands a structure that has carried out its purpose for over a century. Built in 1878, the New Hampshire State Prison was constructed to replace an earlier facility from 1812, reflecting a shift toward a more organized and permanent system of incarceration.
The prison is built primarily of brick, with its long walls and narrow windows giving it a contained, self-contained presence. The original layout centered on cell blocks and regimented space with a daily life followed strict routines of discipline and labor.
In its early years, inmates were put to work in prison industries, producing goods such as shoes, furniture and textiles. The labor was considered part of the system, meant to instill discipline and prepare individuals for life beyond the prison walls.
The prison reflects the changing nature of justice. What began as a place defined by strict discipline and labor, gradually adapted to education programs and rehabilitation efforts. Today, the New Hampshire State Prison for Men functions as the state’s primary correctional facility, housing inmates across multiple custody levels, including maximum security.
In earlier years, the prison was also the site of capital punishment in New Hampshire. Executions were carried out by hanging within the prison grounds, a practice that continued into the early 20th century. The last execution took place in 1939, marking the end of that chapter.
Despite all these changes, the presence of the original structure remains. The walls still stand.
Read More From Nancy
Jennings Market
On North State Street in the North End of Concord, there was a small market called Jennings. It was not a large store, and it was not meant to be. It was built for the neighborhood, for the people who lived within walking distance, for the rhythms of daily life that unfolded one visit at a […]
Calgary Cemetery Arch
At the entrance of the older section of Calvary Cemetery in Concord stands a striking granite arch. Carved from the same kind of stone that defines so much of New England, the arch rises with quiet dignity. Its pointed form and cross at the top marks it as a place of faith and remembrance. The arch creates a […]
John Parker Hale Statue
This figure standing on the State House grounds in Concord is John Parker Hale, one of New Hampshire’s most principled, and controversial, political voices of the 19th century. He was born in Rochester, New Hampshire, and built his career in Dover, where he practiced law and entered politics. Hale’s legacy was shaped by a decision that […]
