The first settlement in Dover was established in 1623 by Englishman Edward Hilton. Dover is known as New Hampshire's first permanent settlement and is the seventh oldest in the United States. Hilton's original settlement, on what is now Dover Point, was devoted primarily to fishing and trading. Several of the oldest continuous farms in America were built on this area also known as Dover Neck. Tuttle's Farm, on Dover Point Road, was established in 1632 by John Tuttle. The farm continues to be operated today by the Tuttle family and is America's oldest family-owned-and-run farm. The center of activity moved gradually from Dover Point to the area of town below Cochecho Falls and came to be known as Dover Landing. The harnessing of the Cochecho Falls' water power caused a shift from a fishing and farming economy to one based on industry. After 1635 Richard Waldron and others built mills for lumber and grain.

During the early years the settlers lived in harmony with the native inhabitants, however, around 1675 the settlers were forced to build fortified garrisons to ward off attacks by Indians of the Massachusetts tribes (Dover is known today as the Garrison City). On June 27 and 28 of 1689, Indians attacked the town and killed many residents and took others captive in an event called the Cochecho Massacre.

Following the close of the Indian Wars, shipbuilding was one of the major businesses in Dover. After 1820 sawmills and gristmills gave way to cotton mills and the Cocheco Print Works. Shoe manufacturing was introduced in Dover in 1847. The Boston and Maine railroad came to Dover in 1841 and for a period in the mid-1800's ocean-going schooners moved cargo between Dover and ports abroad.

In March 1896, a great flood swept the Central Avenue bridge and several others over the falls, depositing so much material in the river below that Dover's brief period as a seaport was over.

The Dover Public Library, one of the oldest in the state, also has a room devoted to Dover history. The Historical Room was created in 1909 and contains more than 6,000 items of local and state history. If you think your ancestors lived in Dover or if you are interested in researching your family's genealogy, the Dover Public Library is a great place to start.