On October 14, 1638, Rev. Stephen Bachiler and his small band of followers took this roadway from the ancient landing on Hampton River when they made the first settlement of Hampton, originally named Winnacunnet Plantation. For the next 160 years this area was the center of the town's activity. During that period and into the town's third century, Landing Road provided access for fishing, salt-marsh haying, mercantile importing and exporting, and the transportation needs of a prospering community.