Incorporated: 1753
Population: 23,090
County Name: Cheshire
(county map)
City Contact:
City of Keene
3 Washington Street
Keene, NH 03431

Phone: 603-357-9804
Fax: 603-357-9847
Website: City of Keene

Origin:
First granted in 1735 as Upper Ashuelot to soldiers in the wars against Canada, and intended to be a fort town. Establishment of the Massachusetts-New Hampshire boundary in 1753 made it one of the largest towns in New England. Under regrant by the New Hampshire governor, the town was named Keene, in honor of Sir Benjamin Keene of England, an associate of Governor Wentworth in the Spanish West Indies trade. Keene was incorporated as a city in 1873, and is home to Keene State College.

More about Keene:
The Elm City, as Keene is known, is bordered by low hills on every side. The white steepled United Church of Christ dominates the center of town, serving as a focal point since 1787.

Keene's early industry was glass but with the arrival of the railroad in 1848, an industrial community thrived with the production of pottery, flannel and furniture, along with several other items.

Keene has been featured in many publications, including a 1997 book, The New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities, for being a great place to live.