Did You Know Nashua, New Hampshire, Was the Birthplace of the Iconic Russian Dressing?

You think you know your home town, but then you discover something totally cool.

I grew up from age zero to 11 years old in Hollis, New Hampshire, then my Mother packed us all up and moved to Nashua, New Hampshire from age 11 - 18 years old, my formative years.

I ran around Nashua with a bunch of hoodlums and hooligans to every corner of the gate city and I thought I knew all there was to know about it, until today.

I did not know that Nashua, New Hampshire, was the birthplace of Russian dressing.

According to cnn.com, it was a store owner by the name of James E. Colburn who invented the dressing in 1924.  He then sold it to hotels and retailers across the country.  People loved it so much, that James was able to retire.

The recipe is super easy.  You'll need mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, pickle relish, worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper and voila!  Russian dressing.

The inventor, James E. Colburn, is buried in Nashua, NH. You can visit his grave.

Thousand Island is very similar to Russian dressing, only not as good because 1)  it wasn't invented in Nashua and 2) it doesn't taste quite as good on a Reuben Sandwich.

Why did he name it "Russian" dressing?  Some say it's because James Colburn liked to mix in caviar.  Again, things I didn't know - caviar is a Russian thing?

The building where it was invented is on Main Street in Nashua, New Hampshire.  It looks a bit run-down now, but you would too if you have been standing since 1924.