History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 108

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124

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view ' indeed, and in truth it is, from the top of the little slope on which the hotel is built, -it is cozy and homelike and pretty, for the Barnes Brothers have fine taste in the art of house decoration, and the society there is always of the best. Year by year the rooms are in more demand."

Eastman House. - Some years since one of North Conway's enterprising sons, Alfred Eastman, the present proprietor, conceived the idea that a hotel " a little way off from the village street " would please a desirable class of patrons, and the realization of that idea is this pretty hotel which carries the name of its builder. "This cozy little hotel has always been a favorite with North Conway's visitors. It is admirably kept, and enjoys the reputation of having fine people as its guests. Its location has had much to do with its success. On Kearsarge street it is much quieter than on Main street," and the delicious sense of undisturbed rest is secured to its guests, with all the comforts of a well-ordered home. It is arranged for one hundred guests.

Artists' Falls House. - Long years ago the capacious farmhouse where now stands the Artists' Falls House was much enjoyed as a stopping-place by artists whose deft pencils found many subjects of bewitching beauty in the glen down which pours the cascade christened Artists' Falls. "Far from the madding erowd," the place in its restful beauty attracted more and more, and the farmhouse was transformed to a summer hotel. It rests in soft repose on a little plaza in the midst of towering elms. Under the kind attentions of Mr and Mrs Augustus Eastman, it has often been filled with pleased guests, and its wide doors swing open every summer for the reception of those who appreciate its manifest advantages. Mr Eastman is grandson of Deacon Jonathan Eastman.

McMillan House. - The lovely and attractive location of the site for his residence made by the gallant Colonel Andrew McMillan has been from the first a publie resort, and enjoys the prestige of being the site of the first hotel in North Conway, for the doors of the Colonel's mansion were early thrown open to guests. "This oldtime inn stands beneath stately elms in the lower part of North Conway, and, with its broad, green lawns, magnificent views, and other attractions," keeps its ancient reputation well. After Colonel MeMillan's son Gilbert had kept it for years, his son John became proprietor, and with his keen wit, racy stories, and hearty cordiality, was a general favorite. In 1886 Frank S. Plummer became the owner. His father was proprietor of the Bear Camp River House at West Ossipee, and Frank has had much experience in hotel-keeping. With the fine English character of its grounds and the lovely prospects stretching away on every side, the attractions to tarry here are many and potent. It has large piazzas overlook- ing the Saco and its scenery. Seventy-five guests are accommodated.

Randall House .- This was built by Melvin Seavey for a boarding-house. James T. Randall purchased it in 1864, named it Randall House, and has

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conducted it as a summer hotel. It is centrally located and can accommodate fifty guests. Mr. Randall's father, George K., formerly lived in Jackson. His sons, James T. and N. Randall, were merchants of Fryeburg, and in 1870 occupied the MeMillan store, while erecting the one occupied by L. W. Brock. They removed their stock thither in 1872, and were in trade ten years.

Moat Mountain House, opened quite a number of years since by Thomas C. Eastman, son of Thomas and grandson of Deacon Abiathar Eastman, is the farthest cast of North Conway's hotels. It is the observation point of many lovely bits of scenery, while over the long reaches of Conway's inter- vales towers the mighty range of Mote mountain, looking like Syrian hills of the far East, sad, solemn, bewitching, and tenderly beautiful. No wonder that this cozy retreat should have become a favorite resting-place of artists and lovers of art.

PAST AND PRESENT BUSINESS MEN AND INTERESTS. - The first mer- chant of the town was Colonel Andrew McMillan. He was, as carly as 1776, the town weigher and receiver of goods presented in payment of taxes, and in the storehouse he built for these articles he soon had a stock of the essential articles of use in these days for sale. These were principally broadcloth, salt, nails, glass, axes, molasses, and rum, and for payment he received peltry of all kinds, pot and pearl ashes, labor, and not much money. This store was across the road from the McMillan House, and was kept by Andrew, and later, by his son Gilbert, who closed it prior to 1825. In 1849 John McMillan, son of Gilbert, erected the house where he now lives, and traded there until 1859, when he sold his stock to Simon L. Strout. The building was later occupied for brief periods by various parties.

Near the McMillan House, on the opposite side of the street, are the beautiful cottage and studio of one of America's prominent artists, Benjamin Champney, whose talent, with that of his companion artists, has given North Conway imperishable fame. He has been a resident here for over thirty-five years, and his studio is visited by thousands. It is one of the centres of attraction of the town.

The Whites' photographic studio near the Episcopal church is also much visited in summer. Their specialties are photographic views of scenery and transparencies. They have the true artistic spirit, and their work is radiant with beauty.

Tobias Hanson was in trade for many years opposite the Washington House. He was followed by his son, Tobias A. Hanson. John C. Davis was in trade opposite the North Conway House for many years. His son, N. S. Davis, succeeded him, and moved his stock to the store so long occupied by him, near the Portland & Ogdensburgh railroad station. He was in trade until his death in 1877.

Frank H. Mason, after the burning of his hotel, conducted a livery and

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merchandising, the latter in a store opposite the North Conway House. He was in trade until 1887, when he leased the store to Wener Brothers. In January, 1888, it was burned, but has been rebuilt. He still keeps a livery.

Nathan W. Pease, a native of Cornish, Maine, established himself as a photographer here in 1858. His specialties were making views and portrait work. He built Pease's block for photograph rooms and offices in 1866, and also carries a stock of souvenir goods and other novelties for sale, and a large line of photographs of scenery. He has built up a fine business.

Daniel Eastman from the first quarter of the century to 1837, and William C. Eastman from 1844 for a succession of years, traded in the store now the tenement-house north of the Washington House.

Peter Chandler built a small store on the site of the one where George V. Eastman trades, as early as 1815 or 1820, and conducted business alone and in company with J. Chandler for years. Moses and Isaac Chandler were also in trade here later, and were followed by Simon Seavey, William and Francis S. Chandler. In 1859 Charles H. Whitaker began merchandising and was here six years. He was succeeded by Rev. B. D. Eastman, " Durgin," he was called, and here the postoffice was kept. After the death of Mr Eastman, his son, George V. Eastman, the present proprietor, continued the business. He is pleasant, courteous, and obliging, is au fait not only in supplying your needs in the grocery, stationery, and variety lines, but in that of flies, fishing-tackle, etc., while his knowledge of the kind and quality of the finny tribe of various localities is almost a science.

Miss G. Wilson and Miss M. E. Goodwin have carried on the millinery and fancy goods business for nearly twenty years in North Conway. In the spring of 1888 they moved into the store on Main street which they now occupy in Boston block.

J. W. Nash, taxidermist, has a fine collection of stuffed and mounted animals, birds, etc., on exhibition and for sale in Boston block.

George W. Barker, a native of Boston, came to North Conway in 1859, purchased the place of Henry Emerson on Main street, and engaged in the fruit and confectionery business. After conducting this with success until 1877, he erected the building now occupied by him, and filled it with a stock of general merchandise, including paints, oils, etc. This year he has transformed the second story into a hall for public purposes. This is thirty-six feet square, and well-lighted. Mr Barker has been in trade longer than any other merchant now in town.

L. W. Brock, a native of Vermont, a soldier in the Fifteenth Vermont Infantry during the Civil War (participating in the battle of Gettysburg as his first battle), was after the war in mercantile life in Boston until 1871, when he came to North Conway and became a member of the firm of G. F. Walker & Company, general traders. In 1879 he bought the entire business, removed

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it to the Randall store, nearly opposite the North Conway House, and is now in trade there.

Elbridge G. Merrill began trade at Kearsarge Village, and removed in 1869 to North Conway, where he now is a dealer in crockery and glassware.

The Pitman drug-store was opened by Lycurgus Pitman at North Conway in the winter of 1870 in the building now the Merrill store. In 1872 he built the house now occupied by him as residence and store on Main street opposite the park, and has since conducted business here. A portion of the time the firm has been L. & J. H. Pitman. This establishment shows much taste in both its exterior and interior. It is the only drug-store of easy access to the White Mountain and Saco Valley houses, and has telephonic connection with most of them.

George D. Burbank came from Boston in 1884 and has been in business since as a watchmaker and jeweler in the Barker store, where he also deals in watches, clocks, jewelry, etc.

The Masonic building was built in 1874 at a cost of $5,000. In 1888 it was thoroughly repaired and refitted at an expense of $3,500. The first floor is occupied by Ricker & Keyes (traders and dealers in boots and shoes), the public library, and the law office of F. B. Osgood. "Citizens' Hall " embraces the second story, and the third contains lodge-room, banqueting-room, kitchen, etc. The lodge-room is as finely arranged and furnished as any in the state.

" THE INTERVALE, two miles north of North Conway, is a small summer village on the shelf above the great intervale of the Saco, from which it derives its name. In the vicinity are the pleasant villas of James Schouler, the historian ; Melancthon M. Hurd, the publisher; the Rev. Dr Curry ; Mr W. Eliot Fette, of Boston ; Dr John Worcester, the well-known New-Church divine ; the palatial Bigelow place, and others. This secluded vernal colony is one of the most charming localities in the mountain region, with its days of perpetual repose, its dry and bracing air, and its unrivaled views over the intervale and the mountains."

Intervale House. - Stephen Mudgett, born December 29, 1818, came from Jackson in 1857 and bought the Samuel Willey farm, and opened the Pine Grove House in 1860. This was burned and rebuilt during the war. In 1872 he sold the farm to E. B. Bigelow, and the same day purchased the Intervale House of W. H. H. Trickey, who had erected it about 1860. This was the homestead of Colonel Elijah Dinsmore, and a one-story road-tavern had been kept here in the teaming days. In 1873 Mr Mudgett enlarged and improved the Intervale House and put in a complete system of drainage. In 1883 a large wing, forty by eighty-five feet in size, three stories high, and a one-story wing of forty feet square were blown down when nearly completed, and rebuilt the same season. Since 1872 Frank A. and Herbert S., sons of Mr Mudgett, have been associated with him, the firm being S. Mudgett &

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Sons. In 1887 extensive improvements were made in the hotel; the office was remodeled, and now occupies the entire front ; office, parlors, billiard and reception rooms have large, open fireplaces to temper the atmosphere of October. The rooms are lofty, well lighted, and airy, and a broad piazza extends about five hundred feet around the house. Two hundred and fifty guests can be accommodated at the hotel and adjacent cottages. The view from the Intervale is one of the loveliest in New England.

The Boston & Maine makes summer connections with the Maine Central here, and the lovely station now building will be an ornament. Mr Mudgett is station agent. He is also postmaster, the office being kept at the Intervale House. Idlewild Cottage, Dinsmore Brothers, proprietors, and Mrs S. D. Pen- dexter's summer boarding-house, and the store of R. W. Weeks, who was postmaster under President Cleveland, are the other business houses in this town.

KEARSARGE VILLAGE is the name given to the little settlement in the somewhat elevated valley of Kesaugh brook,1 in front of which rises Mt Kearsarge in full prospect. Its altitude is from seventy-five to two hundred feet above the village of North Conway. The drainage is perfect, and all the conditions of healthful living would seem to be present. The early name was " Hardscrabble," from the fact that the settlers were poor, and that many of the dwellings were occupied by laborers and were log houses of the "cabin " variety. Joseph Loud and Samuel Rogers were here before 1790. Steadily, year by year, honest toil brought more and more the enjoyments of life; other settlers came in, more plentifully provided with means, and furnished labor for the spare time of the earlier settlers, so that by 1820 a happy, if humble, community dwelt in the little vale at the foot of the giant Kearsarge.

Amos Barnes built a sawmill in 1820 on Mill brook, on the present site of Isaac Chase's wagon and carriage factory. In a few years he sold this to Jonathan Seavey. A short time after this it was carried off by a freshet. In 1834 Isaac T. Merrill and Alonzo W. Barnes built a sawmill on Mill brook almost directly in front of "The Ridge." After a partnership of nine years Mr Merrill became sole proprietor. He sold it, and, after having various owners, it was torn down in April, 1889. Jacob Chase came from Concord about 1825, and conducted a clothimill on Artists' Falls brook, less than half a mile from the county road. Later, about 1834, he erected a wagon-shop at Kearsarge Village. This he conducted many years, and the business is now carried on as a wagon and carriage factory by his son Isaac. There are several workmen employed here.

1 The name Ke-saugh is derived from the same Algonquin words as is the name of the mountain on which it takes its rise, and this little stream, " born of the hill that tirst shakes hands with the morning light," in silver tones is ever chattering the truthfulness of the appellation of Kearsarge as well as Kesaugh. This lovely stream should bear no other name than Kesaugh.

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Kearsarge postoffice was established in 1889 with Lester Barnes post- master. Grace Chapel (Episcopal), about twenty-five by forty feet in size, was built some years since.

But it is not manufacturing that has given life to the little village. The exquisite clearness of the atmosphere, the delightful coolness of its summer days, the proximity of the towering Kearsarge and Green Hills, a gentle landscape, soft and enjoyable, stretching down the little valley like a dream of the future, a feeling of exclusiveness, as if the world were far away, - all these and the joyous sense of restfulness early called a few visitors to the rural farmhouses where cream and eggs abounded. It was first invaded by the advance of the throng of summer boarders in 1840; perhaps a few were earlier here.

Merrill House. - Nearly fifty years ago, Isaac E. Merrill, a farmer, was requested by a few artists to take them to board, and he consented if they would accommodate themselves to his farmhouse fare. They agreed to this, and were given good milk, cream, eggs, etc., at the extravagant price of two dollars per week each. The artists were pleased, reported the condition of affairs to their appreciative friends, and the Merrill House was ever after a house of entertainment. Year by year additions were made to provide for an increasing number of guests, and after his death the neat establishment was conducted by Sumner C. Hill until 1888, when H. W. & F. W. Russell pur- chased it, and conduct it in connection with the popular Russell cottages. It accommodates fifty persons.

The Orient House was built by Amos Barnes as a one-story house in 1815, and occupied by him as a dwelling until his death in 1840. His son Alonzo inherited it, and a few years later began to take boarders, enlarging the house by raising it a story and adding an L. He sold it to Levi Wheeler in 1861. Mr Wheeler christened it the Orient. It is now conducted by Mr Wheeler and his son, and has accommodations for forty guests. This has a most beautiful location at a high elevation, and cannot fail to please those who desire pure air and healthful surroundings. Every room in the house commands extensive views of the Intervale woods and the mountain ranges.

The Ridge. - Away back "before the war " Alonzo Barnes built a one- story house as a private residence on the ground now forming the lawn in front of the Ridge. In 1860 he sold this to his brother Albert, who enlarged it and opened it as a boarding-house. As they were demanded, other enlarge- ments were made until from forty to fifty guests could be cared for. Hiram H. Dow, son-in-law of Mr Barnes, became associated with him in its manage- ment, and in 1885 they removed the house quite a distance to the top of the rocky hill, transformed it into a first-class hotel with all modern conveniences, and called it the Ridge. It has rooms for one hundred guests, has lovely views from its extended piazzas, perfect natural drainage, and a wide extent

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of lawn. It is the most commanding object in Kearsarge Village, and this year a new dining-room has been added of much larger capacity.

REDSTONE. - The Maine and New Hampshire Granite Company, incorpo- rated and operating in Maine in 1886, took the preliminary steps toward developing the magnificent granite of Conway by purchasing fifty-eight divis- ions of the old proprietors' " common lots," supposed to contain one hundred acres each. These lay partially on the famous "Green Hills," long known to contain a superior quality of granite. Mr George W. Wagg, president of the company from its organization in 1885, has given his personal attention to the opening and conducting of these quarries. In the fall of 1886 the first stone was taken out, and consisted of paving-stones and building-stone for the Union railroad station at Portland. From that time there has been a steady demand for this granite, and a valuable addition is shown to have been added to the enterprises of the town. A cutting-yard has been located at the quar- ries, from which a side track of a mile in length runs to the Maine Central railroad, which created a new station, "Redstone," for their benefit in 1888. A postoffice of the same name was established in March, 1889. They also have telegraph and express offices, and a nucleus of a thriving village is now in existence. F. W. Hersey is station and express agent. There are two varie- ties of the granite, both apparently inexhaustible, particularly adapted to building purposes, and of the best quality. One is a pink or red stone, the other a green variety. Since opening the quarries they have furnished build- ing-stone for some of the finest business blocks in the country, including the Union station before alluded to; Houghton & Dutton's block, Boston ; the Northwestern Loan and Guaranty Company's magnificent new building, Minneapolis, Minn. ; and the building in Portland for the general offices of the Maine Central railroad. Besides this they are making from 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 paving-blocks annually, the greater part of them going to New York city. During the winter of 1888-89 the company shipped daily from six to nine cars of fifteen tons each, employed nearly 300 men, and paid out for labor $12,000 a month. The red stone is remarkable for its rich color and for its proportion of opalescent crystals of feldspar. In appearance it closely resembles the famed Egyptian sienite, is easily quarried, dressed, and sawn, takes a high polish, is very durable, and equally well adapted to every form of use, rough or ornamental.

CENTRE CONWAY is a little village which, by reason of its proximity to H. B. Cotton's manufacturing establishment and the quarries of Redstone, is assuming a solid and prosperous appearance. Here are located the town-house, a neat chapel, a schoolhouse, two mercantile houses, a lawyer's office, the Centre House, and several tradesmen. The station of the Maine Central has recently been moved from its former location one mile west, and rebuilt in a fine manner. W. R. Burnell is station and express agent. The site of the

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village is a level, sandy plain, well calculated for building purposes, with a quick soil for gardening.

The outlet of Walker's pond, where the large manufactory of H. B. Cotton now stands, is one of the finest water privileges to be found, and has been used since 1773, when one hundred acres of land, embracing the privilege, and fifty acres on each side of the stream and pond were granted to Timothy Walker, who at once erected both grist and saw mills. About 1795 the property passed into the ownership of Colonel Thomas Cutts, of Saco, who put up a clothing- mill and iron works to manufacture the bog ore found on the Benjamin Coffin farm on the opposite side of the Saco. The iron works did not prove remuner- ative, and were abandoned, the property lying idle until 1838, when Benjamin Gould constructed saw and grist mills. He sold to Jonathan T. Chase, who built a separate gristmill of greater capacity. Judge Chase gave the property to his son and son-in-law, Hiram C. Abbott, and Abbott soon became sole owner. The dam went out and Abbott sold the plant to Hastings, Tibbetts & Allen, of Fryeburg, who rebuilt the dam. Cotton & Cummings purchased the property about ten years ago and built a box and heading factory. Mr Cotton soon became sole owner, and has manifested great enterprise and ability, and built up a valuable and remunerative business, to which he is constantly adding. He soon built a shovel-handle factory for George W. Russell, of Norway, Maine, who carried this on for some years. Mr Cotton owns much land, and extensively manufactures boxes, piano boxes, piano boards, and piano frames. He employs from twenty-five to thirty men, and deals largely in flour, meal, and grain. He has a railroad running from his mills to the Maine Central. He has been selectman and representative.

William E. Chase is the only survivor of the eleven children of Dr Josiah Chase, who came from Newbury, Mass., and with his son Joseph F. was living in Conway in 1794 ; later settled in Fryeburg. Mr Chase came to the Centre in 1835, purchased the store on the Captain Burbank place, and moved it to the one built by the Burbank Brothers, where Arthur Burbank had traded, and, connecting the two, refitted it, and began merchandising in a large way, having branch stores at Eaton (Madison) and South Conway. He conducted this business until 1870, when he sold his goods, store, and real estate to James A. Carlton, a native of Eaton, who had just returned from Madison, Wisconsin, and now is in trade. (Mr Carlton has been a successful merchant and has done a large business.)

The Centre House is on the lot first owned by Lieutenant Barnet Walker, and a part of the first framed house occupied by the lieutenant is now a part of the Centre House. There has been a tavern here for nearly one hundred years, Stephen C. Eastman, his son-in-law, succeeding Lieutenant Walker. Mr East- man kept it sixty years, commencing his proprietorship during the War of 1812. In 1872 William E. Chase bought the property, enlarged and improved

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it, and kept it until March, 1889. He was succeeded by Chase & Twombly, the present proprietors. Mr Chase is seventy-eight years old, and has been an active person in local affairs, has been selectman and representative, and is the oldest member of Mount Washington Lodge of Freemasons.

Ebenezer Burbank came from Concord and was living in town with his family in 1771. He lived at the Centre, where Josiah Mudgett now lives, carried on tanning, a most important business in those days, and amassed wealth. He also " kept tavern," of which Captain William, a pensioner of the War of 1812, and son of Joseph, was the last proprietor. It was closed prior to 1860. Ebenezer married Fanny Stark, a near relative of General John Stark and of Samuel Stark, the grantee of Stark's location. Mrs Joseph Caldwell is a daughter of Captain William Burbank. Charles Whitaker, father of Charles H. Whitaker, the postmaster of North Conway, was in trade at the Captain Burbank place in the first quarter of the century. He was suc- ceeded by John Pettee, Peter Charles, and Charles Chandler, who closed busi- ness before 1835. Ira Garland, for the last ten years a successful merchant, previously had been a tinsmith. He is an energetic, public-spirited man, of value to society. He was commissioned postmaster of Centre Conway under Cleveland's administration.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 108

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co. Number of Pages: 1124

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124