Kinsman Falls, Franconia Notch – Located in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, Kinsman Falls is a small waterfall on Cascade Brook; the Basin-Cascades Trail travels along the side of this interesting brook. This scenic waterfall is just one of the many intriguing water features on Cascade Brook.
It wasn't always called Kinsman Falls. During the 1800s, this waterfall was called Basin Falls, Tunnel Falls, and Merrill’s Falls. The latter is likely named for Prof. John Merrill (the Philosopher of the Pool). Early visitors to the White Mountains were known for applying names to the waterfalls, even if the waterfall was already named, and because of this, some waterfalls are known by two or three names.
Early photographers visited Kinsman Falls, and they may be the ones responsible for the numerous names of this waterfall. Photographer John Moran (1831-1902) likely visited Kinsman Falls around 1865; his stereograph of this waterfall is labeled “Merrill’s Cascade, near the Flume.”
In the book, I Go A-fishing (1873) by William Cowper Prime, he describes Cascade Brook as being “one of the finest brooks in America for scenery, as well as for small trout.” In the late 1800s, William C. Prime and his friend, William F. Bridges, both from New York, built a cabin, outbuildings, and boathouse on Lonesome Lake. Originally called Tamarack Pond and then Moran Lake, Prime and Bridges renamed the lake "Lonesome Lake".
When Kinsman Falls was first discovered is unclear. The Flume House (1846-1918) was located only a short distance from Cascade Brook, and the brook was a popular destination among hotel guests. The Basin, which people have been visiting since at least the early 1800s, is also nearby. Considering many of the natural wonders in the area were discovered in the early 1800s, Kinsman Falls was probably first visited in the early 1800s.
In celebration of my latest book, Franconia Notch, which was published by Arcadia Publishing in May 2024, I will be writing about New Hampshire's fascinating Franconia Notch for the next month or longer. With the use of archival photographs (black and white), Franconia Notch explores the fascinating history of Franconia Notch during the mid-19th to late 20th century. Broken into six chapters, chapter one focuses on the early taverns and hotels that were once in the notch, and Chapter 6 focuses on the Flume Gorge; the in-between chapters cover the Old Man of the Mountain, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and more.
For more information and to purchase copy of Franconia Notch, see the book section of my website here.
Happy image making..
© Erin Paul Donovan. All rights reserved | Historic Information Disclaimer | Franconia Notch History
To license any of the color photographs above for usage in print publications, click on the photograph.
Bibliography:
Donovan, Erin Paul. Franconia Notch. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2024.
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.