July History, White Mountains – July in the New Hampshire White Mountains is a great time of year. Hikers are exploring the trails, fishermen are fishing the rivers, and campers are enjoying the campgrounds. Throughout the history of the White Mountains, outdoor recreation has been a favorite pastime for many families during this month. And some interesting historical events took place during July.
Named for Matthew Thornton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the town of Thornton was granted to Matthew Thornton and others on July 6, 1763. The charter consisted of 23,000 acres divided into seventy-three shares. However, no settlements were made under the original grant, and a new charter was given in October 1768. But because of slow development, the town would not be officially incorporated until November 1781.
In July 1820, the Weeks-Brackett party, guided by Ethan Allen Crawford, hiked Mount Washington. The purpose of this hike was to give names to all the mountains in the Presidential Range (Mount Washington was already named). Mount Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe were named after the four presidents that held the position up until that point. When the Weeks-Brackett party ran out of presidents, they named the remaining mountains in the Presidential Range after notable individuals.
Land grants were given during July. Clovis Low and Barker Burbank were granted Low and Burbank’s Grant on July 2, 1831; Jeremiah Chandler was granted Chandler’s Purchase on July 9, 1835; Samuel W. Thompson and George P. Meserve were granted Thompson and Meserve's Purchase on July 28, 1835.
Railroads once dominated the White Mountains. The Mount Washington Railway officially opened to the public on July 3, 1869. Boston & Maine Railroad’s Pemigewasset Valley Railroad was incorporated on July 9, 1874. The Profile & Franconia Notch Railroad, a passenger railroad incorporated on July 11, 1878, and in operation from 1879-1921, serviced only the Profile House in Franconia Notch. And one of the last logging railroads to operate in the White Mountains was incorporated on July 2, 1875 – the Sawyer River Railroad.
The Zealand Valley Railroad opened for business in February 1886. However, it was originally incorporated as the New Zealand River Railroad on July 18, 1878. Including sidings and spur lines, the railroad was 13-15 miles long, more or less; it traveled from the now gone village of Zealand (located along today’s Route 302 in Carrol) to Zealand Notch and beyond. The scenic Zealand Trail and Ethan Pond Trail utilize the old railroad bed.
During the railroad logging era, forest fires were a major concern. The logging slash left behind from poor logging practices fueled many fires. And during a stretch of dry weather in July 1923, an estimated 3,500 acres burned along the Beebe River Railroad: the Flat Mountain fire. The fire destroyed both logging Camps 11 and 12. Railroad operations likely caused the fire, and blame was placed on the Woodstock Lumber Company. This was the last major fire in the White Mountains.
Maine Central Railroad’s Engine 505 exploded along the railroad right-of-way in Crawford Notch on July 3, 1927. Oscar W. Clemons and Robert B. Morse were operating locomotive 505 and lost their lives during the explosion.
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Bibliography:
Donovan, Erin Paul. “Presidential Range, Random History.” ScenicNH Photography LLC, 30 Jul 2019, https://www.scenicnh.com/blog/2019/07/presidential-range-history/.
Donovan, Erin Paul. “Sawyer River Railroad, New Hampshire.” ScenicNH Photography LLC, 22 Feb 2010, https://www.scenicnh.com/blog/2010/02/sawyer-river-railroad-livermore-nh/.
Donovan, Erin Paul. “Beebe River Railroad, New Hampshire.” ScenicNH Photography LLC, 19 Apr 2018, https://www.scenicnh.com/blog/2018/04/beebe-river-railroad/.
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.
ScenicNH Photography LLC
Specializing in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Erin Paul’s photography and writing focuses on the history of the White Mountains, and telling the story of abandoned places and forgotten historical sites.