The History Press

New England is home to abandoned towns and forgotten main streets that once bustled with life and commerce. From villages sunk underwater to cities undone by the rise and fall of mill life, madness or just plain bad luck, these ghost towns offer a unique look into the rich history of the past. Get a glimpse into what early life was really like through historical accounts of abandoned villages. Discover the history behind the ruins of towns like Connecticut’s religious community Gay City, the former New Hampshire resort town of Unity Springs and Massachusetts’s famed Dogtown—before nature reclaims them entirely. Join local author Renee Mallett as she uncovers the heydays of some of New England’s most fascinating lost towns.

From the moment in 1770 when Reverend Eleazar Wheelock located Dartmouth College in Hanover, the "College on the Hill" and the "Village at the College" have been inseparably linked as one. And from the time when the first log hut was constructed to the present, the built and natural environments have evolved as part of an organic evolutionary process. Due to changing architectural tastes, neglect and growth, many of the historic buildings that once flourished are no longer standing. Bygone landmarks like the beautiful entry porte-cochere at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and the handful of handsome buildings that marked the start of the University of New Hampshire are now lost to history. Join architect and historian Jay Barrett as he uncovers the stories behind the forgotten treasures of Hanover.