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The story of Rye is deeply American, shaped by its strategic coastal location. Native peoples lived here as early as 12,000 years ago, and Europeans arrived in the 1600s, establishing a community of farmers and fishermen. By the Revolutionary War, Rye numbered about 850 residents, some of whom marched on Fort William and Mary in 1774—the war’s first overt act. The 1800s brought tourism and grand hotels, attracting presidents and dignitaries. In 1874, the first successful transatlantic cable came ashore just south of Locke’s Neck. The 20th century saw Rye’s population quintuple, spurred by WWII and steady coastal growth. Yet despite change, the town has preserved its rural character through conservation, historic homes, and winding roads. Today, Rye balances natural beauty with human presence, standing on the shoulders of twenty generations. This book offers a sweeping companion to Langdon Parsons’ 1905 History of Rye, N.H., enriched by contributions from more than twenty voices.