Why Nashua
Located in southeastern Hillsborough County along the Massachusetts border, Nashua is the second-largest city in northern New England. Situated directly between the Greater Boston region and New Hampshire, it is widely recognized by its nickname, the Gate City, referencing its historical status as a travel gateway between the two areas. Functioning as one of two county seats alongside nearby Manchester, Nashua covers roughly 31.7 square miles, bordered to the east by the Merrimack River and bisected by the Nashua River.
The area was first settled around 1654 as a fur trading center within a larger colonial grant known as Dunstable. In 1836, the New Hampshire portion was renamed after the Nashua River, derived from a Penacook word meaning either beautiful stream with a pebbly bottom or land between two rivers. Driven by water power and served by six railroad lines, the municipality developed into a prominent 19th-century industrial center dominated by textile mills. Following the closure of its last traditional mill in 1949, Nashua revitalized its local economy by attracting defense contractors and high-tech firms, eventually becoming a notable technology center.
Today, the city features three main commercial districts. Downtown Nashua, centered on Main Street, highlights historic homes and commercial buildings alongside modern dining, entertainment options, and the Nashua Riverwalk, a dedicated pedestrian walkway designed around the river. In the northwestern area, Route 101A along Amherst Street serves as another busy commercial thoroughfare. Meanwhile, the South Nashua district along the Daniel Webster Highway is anchored by the Pheasant Lane Mall, drawing shoppers from neighboring states who wish to take advantage of New Hampshire's lack of a sales tax.
In addition to its shopping venues, Nashua holds an athletic tradition centered around Holman Stadium, which hosts the Nashua Silver Knights baseball team and was notably home to the first racially integrated professional 20th-century baseball team. Local educational institutions include Rivier University, while major healthcare facilities like Southern New Hampshire Medical Center serve the region. The city experiences a four-season humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters averaging 52 inches of snow and warm, humid summers that frequently reach temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
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