Historic Roads


Historic roads in the New Hampshire White Mountains. Some roads in the White Mountains started off as stagecoach roads, and they date back to the early 1800s and 1900s. Owners of the grand resorts built some roads, farmers built others, and the Civilian Conservation Corps also took part in the building of roads. These old roads played an important role in the early years of farming and tourism. Today, some of these old historic routes can still be explored, and this work focuses on the history surrounding them.


Jefferson Notch Road, White Mountains

Jefferson Notch Road - Thompson and Meserves Purchase, New Hampshire
Jefferson Notch Road, White Mountains – Today, this seasonal road in New Hampshire connects Base Road in Crawford’s Purchase with Valley Road in Jefferson; it begins in Crawford’s Purchase, travels through Chandler's Purchase, Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, Low and Burbank's Grant, and ends at Valley Road in Jefferson. The highest elevation reached by a public highway in New Hampshire is along Jefferson Notch Road...[Continue reading] ...

Jefferson Turnpike, White Mountains

Old Jefferson Turnpike - Carroll, New Hampshire
Jefferson Turnpike, White Mountains – The Jefferson Turnpike Incorporation (Jefferson Turnpike) was incorporated on December 11, 1804; the turnpike opened in 1811. Incorporators were Joseph Whipple, Obed Hall, and Stephen Wilson. This short-lived toll road traveled from the 10th New Hampshire Turnpike (today’s Route 302 ) in Carroll, New Hampshire, over Cherry Mountain to Jefferson and Lancaster. It's believed that the old Cherry Mountain Road, a seasonal forest road with dispersed roadside camping, follows the route of the old turnpike....[Continue ...

Forest Road Status, White Mountains

Forest Road Status, White Mountains
Forest Road Status, White Mountains - Here in the New Hampshire White Mountains, the U.S. Forest Service closes roads within the White Mountain National Forest throughout the year. These forest roads are closed for numerous reasons, and many are closed to vehicle traffic during the snow season. In the spring, after these seasonal roads have dried out and are passable, they are reopened to vehicle traffic. However, there is no exact date when any forest road will reopen..[Continue reading] ...

Scenic Backroads, White Mountains

Autumn Foliage - Sawyer River Road, New Hampshire
Scenic Backroads, White Mountains - With the autumn season near, this is a great time to start planning photo excursions into the White Mountains. I have been traveling the backroads of New Hampshire for many years, and always find interesting subject matter along them to photograph. From a photographer's viewpoint, I find autumn to be the best time to explore them. And the history attached to some....[Continue reading] ...

Tripoli Road, White Mountains

Tripoli Road - Livermore, New Hampshire
Tripoli Road, White Mountains - With autumn foliage season in full swing, this is a great time to travel the backroads of the New Hampshire White Mountains in search of the perfect autumn scene. I have traveled the backroads of New Hampshire for many years, and always seem to find interesting subject matter along them to photograph. I personally love the history attached to....[Continue reading] ...

Sandwich Notch Road, New Hampshire

The Notch Road - Sandwich, New Hampshire
Sandwich Notch Road, New Hampshire - During the early nineteenth century, thirty to forty families lived in Sandwich Notch. By 1860 only eight families lived in the Notch and by the turn of the twentieth century only one person, Moses Hall, lived in the Notch year around. Now a private residence the Hall Place is the only house left on the Notch Road...[Continue reading] ...

Abandoned Vehicles, White Mountains

Abandoned Vehicles, White Mountains
Abandoned Vehicles, White Mountains - Over the years, I have documented a number of abandoned vehicles in the New Hampshire White Mountains, and today I want to share some of them with you. These forgotten relics make great photo subjects. Personally, I love coming across them in the middle of nowhere....[Continue reading] ...

Kancamagus Scenic Byway New Hampshire

Kancamagus Highway - New Hampshire USA
Kancamagus Scenic Byway, New Hampshire - The Kancamagus Scenic Byway, located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is considered one of the best scenic drives in the Northeast. Though the scenic byway attracts the most visitors during the autumn months, I think it is a great area to explore any time of year. Photographers will have endless photo opportunities...[Continue reading] ...