The Age of Railroads transformed America—connecting coasts, driving industry, and reshaping communities from coast to coast. But what did that revolution look like here in Rochester, New Hampshire?

In this episode, we trace the arrival of the Great Falls and Conway Railroad in 1849, when the first trains rolled into town and forever changed its pace and prosperity. By 1885, Rochester’s bustling Union Station—once located near today’s Windjammers Restaurant—was handling around 50 trains a day, linking our small city to the wider world.

Join us as we explore how the coming of the railroad put Rochester on the map and ushered in a new era of growth and connection.

The Rochester Historical Society and Museum is located on Hanson Street. Visit www.rochesternh.gov/history for hours of operation, events, contact information, and to learn more about programming.