Harp Switch Stand, New Hampshire – Popular during the early days of railroading, the harp style switch stand was a manually operated railroad switch, which allowed trains to transfer to another section of track. This was accomplished by a railroad worker pushing or throwing the long bar (above).

During the railroad era, harp switch stands were used on many New Hampshire railroads, including the logging railroads. Most of the harp switch stands along the logging railroads were removed in the 1900s when the railroad track was picked up, but a handful of them were left deep in the backcountry of the White Mountains. Now considered historical artifacts these switches are a reminder of the land destruction that once took place in the White Mountains many years ago.

Along the Beebe River Railroad in Waterville Valley remains an abandoned harp switch stand (above). This railroad operated from 1917–1942, however, the last timber hauled on the railroad was in 1935. The Draper Corporation purchased the Beebe River land tract, the Beebe mill, and the railroad in 1924. Under the agreement, the Woodstock Lumber Company would harvest the remaining spruce and operate the mill until May 1925. Draper ended up only using a short section of the railroad, so it seems likely this switch stand was last used around 1924.

In East Branch & Lincoln Railroad territory, deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, at least three harp switch stands remain. The two EB&L switches included in this blog article were probably last operational sometime in the 1920s. Years ago, I found reference to when this switch stand was last in service, but I can’t find it at the moment. And like the Beebe switch, they are a reminder of the past.

Though some hoot and holler about historic artifacts being eyesores, they are a portal into our past. And they help tell the forgotten story of a time in the White Mountains most of us can only read about; they also remind us of how greedy and destructive man can be.

As you explore the many historic sites in the New Hampshire White Mountains, keep in mind that the removal of historic artifacts from federal lands without a permit is a violation of federal law.

All of the above images can be licensed for publications by clicking on the image you are interested in. And you can view more images of harp switch stands here

Happy image making..

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Erin Paul Donovan

Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC

Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.