There's quite a bit of history in New Hampshire. Some of it we learned in history classes growing up and some is the kind that's passed down through family generations. That's all part of living in a place that has roots from long before European settlers ever arrived. History has been in the making here for centuries and it's certainly a sense of pride for most people who have ties to the state. But there's some history that has us scratching our heads. This one, which is political in nature, is one of those. Today, we're clearing it up!
You'll find Dixville Notch tucked away in the White Mountains, making it a perfect little getaway spot for those looking to escape into nature.
While we love the beauty and vacation opportunities, one of the most fascinating things about Dixville Notch is its history related to political elections.
Those who have heard of the small town, but aren't quite sure why, might think back to previous Presidential elections and the "first in the nation" vote that is often big news the evening before election day.
The town is where the nation's very first ballots are cast and, while most polls in New Hampshire are open from morning to about 7 p.m., this polling spot opens at midnight on election day and stays open for just one minute. But why this small town? The answer might surprise you!
The story dates back to 1954 when the local Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in town was bought by Neil Tillotson. It was Tillotson who organized the first vote at his resort in 1960 taking advantage of a law that states polls can close if every registered voter in the town has cast their ballot.
With a population of just nine people everyone was able to convene in the "Ballot Room" of the resort and vote in just one minute, making the town's polls the first to open and the first to close.
Today, a few other New Hampshire towns open their polls at midnight, which means determining the first is harder these days. But Dixville Notch has earned the distinction of being the longest running first midnight polls.
And why did Mr. Tillotson start the tradition? It's not entirely clear, but many simply believe it helped put the tiny town of Dixville Notch on the map, thus driving tourists to his hotel. That's a good enough reason for us!
One other fact worth mentioning is that the people of Dixville Notch have accurately predicted the Republican nominee in almost every single primary!
What are some of your favorite lesser-known history lessons from New Hampshire? Let us know in the comments!
Love stories about the state's past? We've got a few more! Here are 8 things you didn't know about the history of New Hampshire.
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