New Hampshire State Nickname: The Granite State
Fact-checked • Updated December 10, 2025
"The Granite State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Granite State
New Hampshire became known as the Granite State in 1825, when Colonel Philip Carrigain used the phrase in a song written for a dinner honoring General Lafayette. Granite bedrock underlies much of the state and supported a major quarrying industry during the 19th century. Reflecting this history, New Hampshire designated granite as its official state rock in 1985.
Meaning of 'The Granite State'
Colonel Philip Carrigain composed a song in June 1825 for a public dinner celebrating General Lafayette's visit to Concord. The first stanza included the line 'The GRANITE STATE to see,' marking the first known use of this phrase. The Concord newspaper published the poem on June 27, 1825. A popular singing group called the Hutchinson Family Singers reworked the tune during the 1840s, making it more about New Hampshire and helping the nickname spread across the region.
The Granite State nickname comes directly from New Hampshire’s geology. Granite bedrock forms the foundation throughout much of the state. Extensive quarries produced granite for massive building projects during the 19th century, including the Library of Congress and the Brooklyn Bridge. New Hampshire's State House in Concord was built using granite quarried locally. Workers extracted granite from hills and mountains across the state, making stone quarrying a major industry for decades.
The state seal features a granite boulder in the left foreground, included when the seal was designed. Granite was designated New Hampshire’s official state rock through legislation in 1985, recognizing its importance to the state’s history and identity. The Granite State remains New Hampshire’s most widely recognized and established state nickname, supported by long-standing public and governmental use rather than formal legislative designation.
Other Nicknames
Mother of Rivers
Five major New England rivers start in New Hampshire's mountains and flow into neighboring states. The Connecticut River rises in the northern part of the state and forms the border with Vermont. The Pemigewasset River begins at Profile Lake in the Franconia Mountains and joins the Winnipesaukee River at Franklin to create the Merrimack River. The Androscoggin and Saco Rivers also originate in New Hampshire's granite hills. These waterways provided power for mills and factories during the Industrial Revolution. Early geographers used Mother of Rivers when describing New Hampshire because so many important waterways begin within state boundaries.
White Mountain State
The White Mountain range cuts across the northern half of New Hampshire and covers about one quarter of the state's total area. These mountains feature granite peaks that reach impressive heights, with Mount Washington standing as the tallest at 6,288 feet above sea level. Snow covers the peaks for much of the year, giving them a white appearance visible from great distances. The Presidential Range includes Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Madison, all named after early American leaders. Tourists began visiting the White Mountains during the 1800s to enjoy scenic views and mountain climbing. The region remains popular for hiking, skiing, and outdoor recreation today.
Switzerland of America
Early visitors to New Hampshire compared the White Mountains to the Alps of Switzerland because of their dramatic peaks and beautiful valleys. Travel writers during the 1800s used this comparison frequently when describing New Hampshire's mountain scenery to readers. Both regions feature rugged granite mountains, clear lakes, and small villages nestled in valleys. The nickname appeared in tourism materials and travel guides promoting New Hampshire as a vacation destination. Resort hotels were built in the White Mountains to attract wealthy visitors from Boston and New York who wanted a mountain experience similar to European destinations. The comparison to Switzerland emphasized natural beauty and outdoor opportunities.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
New Hampshire's state motto is Live Free or Die, adopted in 1945 and written by Revolutionary War General John Stark in 1809.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Comprehensive article covering New Hampshire's history, geography, and the origin of the Granite State nickname
Official tourism resource documenting New Hampshire's state symbols, including granite as the state rock and various state nicknames