1856 Dodge Wall Map of New Hampshire

A scarce separately issued map of New Hampshire published by J. R. Dodge in 1856. This map is one of the few maps of New Hampshire actually published in New Hampshire, in this case Nashua. Dodge prepared this map to illustrate the rise of railroad lines throughout the state, particularly in the Merrimack River corridor where the fueled a textile boom in Nashua and Manchester. The map's four engraved views highlight the importance of the railroad in the development of New Hampshire's interior. On the right side of the map are the state house in Concord and the harbor town of Portsmouth. Together these two cities represent the pre-industrial centers of New Hampshire's government and economy. As if in contrast to the old guard, the left hand views illustrate the booming industrial centers of Manchester and Nashua, both of which benefited from the rise of railroads to refocus the economy along the Merrimack corridor. Dodge issued this map in four editions. The first edition appeared in 1854. The present example is the second edition, 1856. A subsequent edition appeared in 1860.