This panoramic print of Exeter, New Hampshire was drawn and published by A. W. Moore Co. in 1896. Exeter was settled in the 1600's near where the Exeter River feeds into the larger Squamscott River. Early settler, Edward Gilman, Jr., established Exeter’s first saw mill in 1647. Gilman’s descendents would later become important citizens of New Hampshire, and the family’s donation of land enabled Dr. John Phillips and his wife Elizabeth to establish Phillips Exeter Academy in 1781. The private academy, with learning based upon Calvinistic principles, opened two years later.
The fast moving river-waters at Exeter enabled manufacturers to power numerous mills and factories along it in the 1800's. Cotton textiles, shoes and boots, carriages and bricks were manufactured in Exeter during that era. In 1840, Exeter began to be served by the Boston & Maine Railroad.
The illustration, compliments of the Exeter News-Letter, includes labeled streets, waterways, buildings and railroad route. There are border illustrations of the following:
• Residence of Mrs. John J. Bell.
• Unitarian Church.
• Baptist Church.
• Residence of Mr. Hervey Kent.
• Residence of Col. E. H. Gilman.
• Merrill’s Block. John A. Brown, Insurance. W. H. Follansby, Dry Goods. Post Office. Weeks & Seward, Druggists.
• Town Hall.
• A. S. Wetherell, Druggist.
• Phillips Exeter Academy Buildings.
• Rockingham County Court House.
• Robinson Seminary.
• High School.
• County Building.
• Water Works.
• L. & S. Mayers, Dry Goods. E. V. McKey, Gents’ Furnishings. J. B. MacTaggart, Boots & Shoes.
• Public Library.
• Methodist Church.
• First Congregational Church.
• Catholic Church.
• Episcopal Church.
• Rockingham Cycle Co., Cycles & Sundries.
• Exeter Mfg. Co.
• Button Brothers, Bakers & Grocers.
• Exeter Brass Works, Brass Founders and Finishers.
• B. & M. Railroad Station.
• The Squamscott Hotel.
• The Exeter News-Letter, John Templeton, Proprietor.
• Exeter Machine Co., Steam Engines, Boilers, etc.
• C. S. Button, Flour Feed & Grain Mill.
• J. H. Fellows, Wood & Paper Boxes.
• Exeter Boot & Shoe Co., Gale Bros.
• A. M. Trefethen, Boarding & Livery, Front St. Entrance.
• Cogswell Boot & Shoe Co.
• Goodwin Brothers, Grocers.
Features references to the following locations:
Rockingham County Court House.
Town Hall.
County Building.
Public Library.
Methodist Church.
First Congregational Church.
Catholic Church.
Episcopal Church.
Baptist Church.
Unitarian Church.
Exeter Academy, Harlan P. Amen, Principle.
Robinson’s Seminary.
High School.
Squamscott Hotel. Geo. H. Haynes, Proprietor.
Exeter Mfg. Co., Cotton Manufacturers.
Exeter Boot & Shoe Co., Gale Brothers.
Exeter Machine Co., Machinists.
Exeter Brass Works.
Cogswell Boot & Shoe Co.
C. S. Button’s Grist Mill.
J. H. Fellows, Wood & Paper Boxes & Lumber.
Exeter News-Letter. John Templeton, Proprietor.
Robert Scott, Real Estate & Insurance.
Rockingham Cycle Co., Cycles & Sundries.
A. M. Trefethen, Boarding & Livery Stable.
Button Brothers, Grocers & Bakers.
A. S. Wetherell, Druggist & Chemist.
F. A. Charles, D. D. S., Dentist.
Goodwin Brothers, Grocers.
E. V. McKey, Gents Furnishings.
J. B. MacTaggart, Boots & Shoes.
L. & S. Mayers, Dry Goods.
H. W. Anderson, Coal & Wood.
Weeks & Seward, Druggist.
W. H. C. Follansby, Dry Goods & Carpets.
John A. Brown, Insurance & Real Estate.
Frank M. Cilley, Attorney at Law.
Gilman B. Hoyt, Postmaster.
J. H. Batchelder, Stationer.