y^rrimacl^lef 
 
 »»•• 
 
 Published by the 
 Passenger Department, Boston & Maine Railroad, Boston. 
 Picturesque New England Series No. 10. 
 
Boston and Maink 
 Railroad. 
 
 The Merrimack Valley. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 Issued by the Passenger Department. 
 

 ROAD NEAR MIDDLKSKX, MASS., STATION. 
 
 At'^' 
 
THE MERRIMACK VALLEY. 
 
 HE well-directed mortal who seeks in cen- 
 tral or Northern New England a summer- 
 ing locality wherein sanitary, restful and 
 recreative qualities of the highest type can 
 be assured, is hardly in danger, be he na- 
 -»^ ^^J^ ^^^'^ '-" stranger, of making a mistake in the 
 
 ' ' ' '' selection of a situation into the make-up 
 
 of which all these elements enter; for such 
 abound on every hand in all sections of this favored region. 
 Whether one seeks vacation pleasures along the lines where 
 ocean waters fall upon grandest shores, and these unite to 
 present magnificent scenic attractions; sojourns among lofty 
 and rugged mountains, as wild and primitive in all their fea- 
 tures as when fresh from the hand of the Creator; communes 
 with Nature in the lake and forest regions remote from the 
 usual haunts of men; or indulges in protracted dolce far 
 niente in rural and farming sections, or amid the charming 
 river and inland scenes such as are found in perfection in this 
 morsel of the continent, — all the same the results of fullest 
 gratification and entire satisfaction are sure to ensue, and 
 his search to end in complete realization of his desires. 
 
 With great numbers of people, however, the highest ideal 
 of summer or vacation life is that passed among the quiet, 
 restful, kindly influences of "country" scenes and neighbor- 
 hoods, where Nature is found in her most beneficent moods 
 and manifestations, charming in all her situations and attrac- 
 tive to every person who feels in the least a desire to return 
 to her allurements and rewards. For the tourist and wonder- 
 seeker, the lover of the sensational — so to speak — in natural 
 provision, lofty mountain upheavals, ragged and rugged ra- 
 vines and gorges, or massive rock-clif¥s overhanging rushing 
 or rolling waters — these or their like abnormal presentations 
 have power to arrest attention, and win a tribute of passing 
 admiration and praise; but for "communion" with Nature, 
 for genuine delight in and enthusiasm for her gifts and com- 
 pensations, she must be sought where indeed she is most 
 leadily found, and where the simple-hearted, honest, manly 
 contingents of humanity whom she delights to honor have 
 always met and enjoyed her. 
 
 In every part of inland and central New England, then, 
 these favored natural sections abound, usually presenting a 
 degree of improvement and development consistent with 
 the superb endowments accorded by their Creator. It is 
 
often the case, too, in this region, that these rural hill and 
 valley sections exist in close relation to the mountain, forest 
 and wilderness creations; so that excursions may readily be 
 made from the permanent or temporary home on the hill- 
 side, or by the river shore, to the wonderfully fascinating 
 "show places" — the spectacular provision, not forgotten when 
 New England was first formed for man's possession and de- 
 lectation. 
 
 Of all the natural situations which this region presents for 
 the consideration of humanity, none possesses greater attrac- 
 tions than the famed "Merrimack Valley" of Massachusetts 
 and New Hampshire. The Merrimack River is born among 
 
 ARCH AT WALNUT HILL. 
 
 the mountains that surround the Pemigewasset Valley, in New 
 Hampshire, and is a union of the Pemigewasset and Winnipe- 
 saukee Rivers, clear-flowing streams that come rushing down 
 from the White Mountains' bases, uniting myriad crystal and 
 cold brooks from the mountain sources before the onward 
 course to the sea is fully entered upon below that beautiful 
 Lake Winnipesaukee, which is so fair to look upon that even 
 the Indians who first possessed the land could think of no 
 more appropriate name for it than "The Smile of God." 
 
 The Merrimack Valley was endowed naturally as a summer 
 resort; and so complete and exhaustive are the qualities and 
 attractions of these sections, that the Indians, the origi- 
 nal possessors of the New England territory, were impressed 
 
s 
 
 by their manifestations in these locaHties, and revelled in the 
 delights thus afforded in summer time, drawing largely upon 
 the poetic fancies possible to their language in bestowing fit- 
 ting and descriptive titles to the various features and situa- 
 tions. The utilization of every part of this valley and its 
 neighborhoods as summering places by the whites began im- 
 mediately upon the foundation of their settlements, wherever 
 these took place; so that the summer homes and haunts of the 
 Old Granite State have been from the first almost as well 
 known to a constituency as wide as the country, as to the per- 
 manent residents of this New England State. 
 
 While the lake and mountain regions of New Hampshire 
 attract through the grandeur, impressiveness and unusual 
 natural endowments and manifestations that distinguish them, 
 the valley sections appeal to every lover of Nature in repose, 
 and of communion with her in her most beneficent moods, 
 and under circumstances whereby her most potent influences 
 are available to humanity in diversion, rest and recreation. 
 The rural and farming districts of this State show each year 
 much larger constituencies of sojourners, and pilgrims than 
 do the mountain and gorge and primitive wilderness portions, 
 that amaze all beholders by their abnormal natural presenta- 
 tions. The real summer communities of New Hampshire are 
 to be found in localities such as are found in the river valleys 
 and agricultural sections of the State south of the mountain 
 bases; and for these temporary communities every prepara- 
 tion is made and accommodation afforded by an appreciative 
 people, who rejoice in this influx of population annually made, 
 and are not insensible to the sources of profit and the ma- 
 terial help thus assisting in the battle for satisfactory exist- 
 ence. 
 
 The Merrimack Valley Route is one of the most important 
 and interesting highways leading into the White Mountains 
 region, of which it forms the western entrance. This route 
 really begins at Boston, from thence running northward to 
 Lowell and Lawrence (the great manufacturing centers) in 
 Massachusetts, and Nashua, Manchester, and Concord in New 
 Hampshire, and entering the White Mountains section via 
 the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Plymouth, and the towns 
 lying within and near the Connecticut River Valley. 
 
 Although the entire line thus constituted bears the name 
 of the "Merrimack Valley Route," the territory of the ]\Ier- 
 rimack River is not entered upon until the line reaches 
 Lowell, Mass.; but from this point until the shores of Lake. 
 Winnipesaukee are reached, the line follows closely the course 
 of the river, serving all the towns and villages visited by it in 
 
its journey from the mountain bases to the great mill towns 
 alluded to in the foregoing. 
 
 Lowell lies twenty-six miles northwest from Boston, and 
 the course of the railroad to this point is through Cambridge, 
 Somerville, a part of Medford, Winchester, Woburn, Wil- 
 mington and Billerica to the Mill City. All these are historic 
 towns and localities of the Old Bay State, many of them in- 
 tensely interesting in this connection, while they all have at- 
 tractive features of their own which appeal to every visitor to 
 or traveller through their territory. 
 
 Arriving in Lowell, the principal station of the railroad in 
 that city will be found located nearly upon the very bank of 
 the ^lerrimack, although hereabout that stream can hardly 
 be viewed under its natural and normal conditions, its chan- 
 nels being confined within granite walls and various artificial 
 constructions, its banks being builded upon until structures 
 have far overlapped the original bounds of its shores, and its 
 very courses having been arbitrarily turned and controlled, 
 until it has apparently passed as completely under the control 
 of humanity as are the beasts of the field or the provisions of 
 Nature on every hand. Its characteristics and natural forces 
 are better illustrated within these city limits, however, than 
 could possibly be the case in almost any other situation 
 throughout its course, its waters being utilized here to the 
 fullest extent possible in furnishing motive power for immense 
 manufacturing establishments, that have challenged the at- 
 tention and admiration of the world for many decades past, 
 and that furnish constant employment for thousands of 
 workers, and channels for the use of millions of dollars in 
 capital. The .Merrimack River, cooped and confined within 
 city walls of brick and stone, and transformed from a laugh- 
 ing, joyous stream into a fretted drudge for man's advance- 
 ment, remains still a wonderful example of the beneficent 
 providence of the Creator. 
 
 In Lowell the Merrimack passes through and by the city, 
 visiting both the northeast and the southeast sections in thus 
 doing. In the eastern part of the city its waters are joined by 
 those of the Concord River, the last named afifording valuable 
 motive power by a series of falls in the neighborhood of the 
 junction point. Other waters uniting with the Merrimack 
 within the city are River-meadow Brook, which empties into 
 the Concord River one mile above its junction with the Mer- 
 rimack; and Beaver River, which flows into the Merrimack 
 from Dracut. This great variety of flowing streams renders 
 the natural scenery in their neighborhood beautiful to look 
 upon. "From many points delightful water-views are en- 
 joyed, especially the falls of the Concord as it ])asses Belvidere 
 and the grand sweep of the Merrimack between the blufifs be- 
 low the lower bridge." From the heights of Centralville and 
 
Belvidere "the long curving line of the Merrimack, the sur- 
 rounding country, tlic (Hslant peaks of Wacliusett and the 
 New Hampshire mountains, come grandly into view." 
 
 Lowell was an industrial city wdien, in the last decade of 
 the last century preceding the present, "the Proprietors of the 
 Locks and Canals on the ^Merrimack River" constructed a 
 canal sixty feet wide on the right bank of the river, extend- 
 ing from the falls for a mile and a half to the mouth of Con- 
 cord River. Upon this grand canal, with its lateral branches, 
 are builded the great manufacturing establishments that dis- 
 tinguish the city of Lowell. The maximum force here pos- 
 sible to be utilized is about fifteen thousand horse-power, of 
 which only about two-thirds is leased. Since the time of this 
 establishment the Lowell locality has increased from half a 
 dozen farmhouses to a city of nearly one hundred thousand 
 inhabitants. The city has upwards of seventy-five mills, while 
 the total number of its manufacturing establishments is up- 
 wards of si.x hundred. 
 
 The natural fall of the Merrimack at this point is about 
 thirty-five feet, the dam being at Pawtucket Falls. Here the 
 distance from the mouth of the Merrimack at Newburyport 
 is thirty-five miles, and Lowell is nine miles above Lawrence, 
 the city which shares with itself the distinction of holding a 
 foremost position with regard to manufactures in this section. 
 The city is well lighted, well drained, and has excellent water 
 supply from the river above the manufacturing establishments 
 It is one of the shire towns of Middlesex County, and has 
 some very pretentious county buildings. Its streets are well 
 kept and finely shaded. 
 
 The site that Lowell now occupies was once the head- 
 quarters of the Paw'tucket tribe of Indians, whose chief at- 
 traction hereabouts was the excellent natural fisheries of the 
 Pawtucket Falls and its neighborhoods. These Indians early 
 came under the ministrations of the renowned missionary 
 John Eliot, whose labors among them were very successful. 
 
 Leaving Lowell and proceeding northward by the Merri- 
 mack Valley Route, the inherent beauties of this famous 
 stream soon became apparent. The Indians — who named 
 originally this river, as they did almost every other natural 
 feature and situation of the section which is now New Eng- 
 land — followed their usual promptings in applying the title, 
 which has a significance resting upon the attributes of the 
 stream designated, Merrimack meaning "the strong and swift 
 gliding current." From source to mouth the Merrimack is 
 indeed a rapid, though usually not boisterous, stream: and 
 partly for this reason it has in the course of time cut for 
 itself deep and strongly marked channels in the midst of the 
 bottoms through which it runs. 
 
 Immediately upon leaving the Lowell territory the Merri- 
 
mack Route enters upon that of Chelmsford, the railroad sta- 
 tion being in North Chelmsford. This is a pleasant country 
 town of northern Middlesex County, with the Merrimack 
 River along a part of its northern line. This is an ancient 
 and pleasant town, rural in all its belongings and interests, 
 and attractive in summer-time to many visitors. 
 
 Eight miles northward from Lowell and thirty-three miles 
 from Boston this route lies within Tyngsborough, 
 through which the Merrimack flows, making a most pic- 
 turesque curve in passing the central village. Hereabouts 
 the railroad track skirts the river-bank and overlooks the 
 beautiful stream for a long distance, presenting most charm- 
 ing views of ever-varying landscapes all the way. Nearly one- 
 half of the area of Tyngsborough is in forests; and beautiful 
 
 M.ARTINS FF.RRY, ON MERRIMACK RIVER. 
 
 growths of elms and maples are found in every residential 
 part, and on countless hillsides and eminences within the town 
 limits. This place is also exceedingly attractive in summer- 
 time, and most desirable for sojourning or temporary resi- 
 dence. Its northern boundary is the line between the States 
 of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and its immediate 
 neighbor on the north is the thriving city of Nashua, in the 
 Old Granite State, through which the Merrimack and its 
 great adjunct, the Boston & Maine Railroad, pass in the 
 closest union, as is the case in nearly every other section 
 wherein the Merrimack Valley is found. 
 
 Nashua is one of the youngest community establishments 
 of the Old Granite State— of New England, in fact. It lies 
 along the boundary line between New Hampshire and Massa- 
 
chusetts, and was not settled by white people until the present 
 century was considerably advanced, although the Indians 
 knew its territory well for many decades preceding this time, 
 and King Philip with his cruel warriors were exceedingly 
 active in this section in their day. Nashua is now an exceed- 
 ingly lively manufacturing center, and a junction point for 
 several railroads — the Worcester, Nashua & Portland, the 
 
 Nashua & Acton and the Southern Division of the Boston & 
 Maine Railroad System. It was not until 1853 that Nashua 
 became a city; but its growth has been exceedingly rapid 
 since that time, and it has one of the most attractive localities 
 of the cities of its class in New England. Its territory is 
 rolling, its drives of the finest, and its situation is eminently 
 healthful. The Merrimack River runs directly through the 
 
center of its site; and with this beautiful stream the Nashua 
 River unites its waters within the limits of the city, the last- 
 named river furnishing water-power for the great number of 
 manufacturing establishments of the place, through a canal 
 three miles long, sixty feet wide and eight feet deep, with a 
 fall of thirty-six feet. These rivers and the beautiful out- 
 lying country about Nashua render the place exceedingly de- 
 sirable for summer visitation and sojourning, while its health- 
 ful and recreative qualities enhance these conditions. 
 
 And now, the Granite State being fairly entered upon, the 
 traveller by the Merrimack Valley Route finds that his in- 
 terest in the journey increases with every mile of distance 
 traversed, and with every bend and turn of the grand old 
 river along whose banks he pursues his way. Sloping gently 
 upward and backward from the river shores the richest farm- 
 ing lands come into the view on either hand, diversified and 
 characterized by the natural features that render New Eng- 
 land scenery so charmingly attractive, and displaying in 
 picturesque and pleasing succession the evidences of the pres- 
 ence of enlightened humanity, which also distinguish the New 
 England sections. Fine old mansions upon well-kept estates; 
 public and private institutions that betray their character by 
 their extent or architecture; modest farmhouses scattered here 
 and there in favored spots along the valley; hamlets and vil- 
 lages, sometimes of scattered dwellings and buildings, and oc- 
 casionally thickly clustered about some manufacturing estab- 
 lishment, or favored trading center, — all these evidences of the 
 life of the valley neighborhoods are fittingly associated with 
 the natural manifestations of its quality, so that merely to 
 look upon the scenes that pass within the view carries the 
 conviction that hereabouts is a summer land indeed, a van- 
 tage ground in every part of which the wearied, restless, long- 
 ing denizen of the city or the heated centers of busy life may 
 find rest, recreation and such communion with Nature as 
 every way-worn specimen of humanity most ardently desires 
 in the vacation periods of the year. 
 
 As in the State of Massachusetts, so in New Hampshire, — 
 the valley of the Merrimack is set at frequent intervals with 
 manufacturing centers that constitute almost invariably 
 greater or lesser city formations, and which stand as centers 
 of trade and commercial and social intercourse in a country 
 otherwise rural and primitive in all its characteristics. After 
 leaving Nashua and pursuing the Merrimack Valley Route 
 through miles of courses upon which villages and "settle- 
 ments" occur at irregular intervals, the first large community 
 organization of the route is the city of Manchester, like its 
 prototype in Old England, a manufacturing center of a qual- 
 ity that the whole world recognizes. Manchester is situated 
 about midway between Nashua and Concord; the last named 
 
14 
 
 the capital city of the State; and it differs from its namesake 
 on the other side of the Atlantic in that its features are about 
 equally divided between the industrial and the natural, or, 
 perhaps, it is nearer the truth to say that it has even more of 
 attractive and desirable natural qualities than of the material 
 attributes that give it importance as a business center. Man- 
 chester is the most populous city in New Hampshire, but its 
 municipal belongings are closely compacted within well-de- 
 fined limits. Outside these limits scenes of natural beauty 
 and attractiveness take place immediately, and stretch away 
 for miles in every direction. 
 
 Within the suburbs and neighborhood of Manchester are 
 to be found more fine estates and residences than is often the 
 case with New England cities of its class. The drives in every 
 direction are superb, the territory is elevated and broken into 
 hills of greater and lesser height in every direction, and the 
 scenic successions all about are of the finest. From the lofty 
 eminences the forest and valley views are exceedingly attract- 
 ive, and the outlooks upon the river are grand indeed. 
 Amid these scenes are provisions for summer homes and 
 sojourning points, embracing every variety of such ac- 
 commodations, from the life of the modest farmhouse 
 and ordinary community dwelling to the more pretentious 
 social assemblages of the summer hotel and caravan- 
 sary. The whole section is admirably adapted to the desires 
 and needs of the summer seeker, no matter under what con- 
 ditions he has visited the Old Granite State. 
 
 Situated about four miles eastward of the city is beautiful 
 Lake Massabesic, "a sheet of water so wondrously irregular in 
 outline that, although it is only four miles across its widest 
 part, it has thirty-one miles of shore in its circumference." 
 This lake is studded with islands in every part, their shores 
 and those of the mainland presenting miles of beaches of 
 clean white sand, while often the luxuriant wood-growths 
 come down to meet the waters, the whole presenting a series 
 of picturesque and fascinating natural scenes of exceeding 
 beauty. Like other natural formations within the Old Granite 
 State, Massabesic has its "Devil's Den," while, as though to 
 present the other extreme in its attractions, its "Fairy Grot- 
 to" has also delighted thousands upon thousands of visitors. 
 
 Practically, Lake Massabesic is a union of twin lakes, di- 
 vided by a narrow ridge of sand beach, an opening at the 
 upper ends of which comprises the connection between the two 
 parts. There is fine fishing in this lake, as the summer so- 
 journer in the sections roundabout early discovers, and as 
 boats are in plentiful provision, and excursions upon its sur- 
 face are always inviting, its natural endowment in this regard 
 is utilized to the utmost. All around the lake, upon and near 
 its irregular shores, are summer establishments in great va- 
 
1 6 
 
 ricty, — cottages, villas, chalets, boat and clubhouses and the 
 like, — and the whole locality is given over to summer life of 
 the most enchanting description. From every direction drive- 
 ways have this lake as an objective point, and the whole 
 section is enlivened throughout the summer season by the 
 presence and movements of the summer colonists. 
 
 Manchester is the junction point of the Concord & Ports- 
 mouth Branch and Manchester & North Weare Branch of 
 the Boston & Maine Railroad System. 
 
 Next northward from Manchester, and only a few miles 
 removed from it, is the little manufacturing center of Hook- 
 sett, a mere village among the Merrimack River community 
 establishments, but important enough in its way. The entry 
 into Hooksett by the railroad is made via a bridge 550 feet 
 long, the river making an abrupt turn at this point which 
 necessitates this crossing as an economic measure. The site 
 of this village is a part of the territory once presented by the 
 State of Massachusetts to Passaconaway, a great sachem of 
 the Penacook tribe. Hereabouts, too, the pious missionary 
 John Eliot did noble work, both Passaconaway and Monno- 
 lancet, his son, being converted to Christianity through his 
 efforts, much to the disgust of King Philip, who made use of 
 all his arts and eloquence to pervert them from their faith. 
 
 Hooksett has a fine water power, which is excellently well 
 improved; and besides the products of its mill establishment, 
 ten millions of bricks are made here annually. The scenery 
 upon every side is primitive and wildly attractive. Pinnacle 
 Mountain, on the west side of the river, rising to semi-moun- 
 tainous height, a pile of ragged, beetling crags, with outlooks 
 over great distances in every direction from its sides and sum- 
 mit and having at its base a correspondingly dark and deep 
 lake, whose waters have no visible outlet. As for the river 
 itself, in the Hooksett locality it becomes exceedingly pic- 
 turesque through its falling waters, the currents, rent and torn 
 with myriad fragments, tumbling for considerable distance 
 over a rugged and ledgey bottom of rock formations, the 
 whole easily visible from the trains of the railroad that skirt 
 the very edge of the scene as they pass. All about Hooksett 
 the scenery is rugged and primitive, but none the less attract- 
 ive on this account, and the visitation to its locality is large in 
 summer time. The introduction to this variety of scenery at 
 this point in the Merrimack Valley so far removed from the 
 White Mountain region, and differing so greatly from the 
 usual manifestations of the valley scenery, is unique in the 
 natural provision made in conection with the Merrimack 
 River, its appearance suggesting that a morsel of Franconia 
 belongings had in some way been removed to this spot. 
 
 Be this as it may, from Hooksett onward to Concord, a 
 distance of about eighteen miles, the river valley resumes the 
 
i.S 
 
 characteristics in the soutli; and its quiet, rural and peaceful 
 features have no superior in any part of the river's course. 
 
 Concord, the capital city of New Hampshire, is seventy- 
 five miles north from Boston, and has about fifteen thousand 
 inhabitants. It occupies a situation geographically about the 
 center of the State, reckoning from east to west, with the 
 ocean on the east and the Connecticut River on the west 
 about equi-distant. It is a center of considerable historical 
 importance, its site having been occupied by the Penacook 
 tribe of Indians as late as the year 172s: but not long alter 
 this time these Indians were displaced by white settlers, who 
 had obtained that section of territory by grant from the State 
 of Massachusetts. It became the capital of New Hampshire 
 in the early part of the present century. 
 
 This city is built along the west bank of the Merrimack 
 River, upon elevated tabl^-lands that overlook many miles of 
 the fairest landscapes that New England can present. It is a 
 manufacturing city of considerable importance, its industries 
 being in great variety, and some of them having achieved 
 notable distinction, as its wagon works, which are the largest 
 in the world. It possesses inexhaustible quarries of the finest 
 granite, specimens of which are found in the construction of 
 public buildings in many of the States. An economic feature 
 in which it takes great pride is its fine water supply, drawn 
 from Lake Penacook, a beautiful water sheet in the northern 
 section of the city. Its streets are broad and well kept and 
 beautifully shaded; and its suburbs abound in natural scenery 
 that would be considered remarkable anywhere, dotted with 
 estates, establishments and institutions well fitted to the locali- 
 ties in which they are found. Here the Merrimack is crossed 
 by numerous bridges; and of late years Concord has grown 
 considerably on the east side of the river. From any stand- 
 point the capital city of the Old Granite State is wondrously 
 attractive; but with regard to its natural features, situations 
 and characteristics it has no superior anywhere. "In the im- 
 mediate locality of Concord there are no lofty mountains, no 
 wild ravines or ragged wildernesses, no outspread lakes with 
 rock-strewn and wooded shores, not even a tumbling water- 
 fall in the river to attract by manifestations of natural eccen- 
 tricity. The scenery of this locality is, instead, of the peace- 
 ful, pastoral order, and its attractions are of nature in perfect 
 rest, and of softest and most soothing influences on every 
 hand. The situation is of vast meadow tracts, stretching away 
 from the river banks and from the clustered hills on which the 
 city stands. Upon these meadows and intervales are some of 
 the finest farms in the State, or, indeed, in the country. From 
 the breezy hills upon which the city is built the outlooks ex- 
 tend for miles in every direction; and the boundaries of the 
 views are marked by a fringe of low, wooded hills, an ad- 
 
miral)lc framing for a picture that can hardly be temperately 
 described. The finest roads cross these lowlands in every 
 part, affording delightful drives to the hill country on 
 the boundary, and to innumerable attractive spots and locali- 
 ties within the sections. The elevations about the city com- 
 mand complete views of all; and from the top of one of them 
 outlooks into every county in the State arc to be had, in- 
 cluding marvellous revelations of mountain-peaks, such as 
 distinguish the scenery of but few portions of the earth's sur- 
 face. In the midst the river flows, a cjuiet, winsome, fasci- 
 nating element of beauty in the landscape, animating the 
 natural features as the coursing of the life blood does the 
 force of a healthful man." 
 
 It might go without telling that such a natural situation 
 must attract hosts of visitors to its temporary possession and 
 enjoyment with every summer that passes; and this is indeed 
 the case. The sanitary perfections, cool and invigorating 
 breezes, pure water, and the delights afforded upon every 
 hand of the Concord territory, were early discovered by the 
 multitudes that have thronged New England in summer time, 
 almost ever since her occupation by white settlers; and this 
 beautiful spot within the Merrimack River Valley long since 
 acquired a reputation in this connection that the lapse of time 
 has only broadened and strengthened. 
 
 From Concord a member of the Boston & Maine Railroad 
 System known as the "Concord Division" runs northeast- 
 ward to White River Junction, on the Connecticut River. 
 This is an important line of travel to and from the west and 
 north; and upon its route are some of the finest summering 
 places known to central New Hampshire. 
 
 Nineteen miles from Concord on this line is found the 
 town of Franklin, wherein the Pemigewasset and Winnipe- 
 saukee Rivers unite to form the Merrimack River. This 
 town is noted for its numerous streams of clear, pure water, 
 for the beautiful wooded hills in the midst of which it is 
 found, and for the picturesqueness of its situation from every 
 standpoint. It is a manufacturing center of considerable im- 
 portance, and has a population numbering about thirty-five 
 hundred people. 
 
 At Franklin the Bristol Branch of the Concord Division 
 makes departure from the main line. This branch extends 
 to the town of Bristol, a distance of thirteen miles. Bristol 
 occupies a delightful situation, with mountains and streams 
 on every hand, and it has become a noted summer resort for 
 campers and fishermen, the well-known Newfound Lake 
 being easily accessible from this point. A few miles beyond 
 Franklin, on the main line of the Concord Division, the rail- 
 road skirts the shores of the beautiful Webster Lake, and has 
 a station almost at its water's edge. This is a very attractive 
 
vvatcrslicct, much frequented by visitors to the towns in its 
 neighborliood, with a fine natural grove well equipped for 
 the reception and entertainment of picnic and excursion 
 parties in summer time. 
 
 Passing onward towards the Connecticut River, the next 
 important town beyond Franklin is Andover. noted for its 
 drives and Ijcautiful watersheets, and for natural features in- 
 teresting to c\ery traveller or summer sojourner. Within 
 Andover limits are Highland Lake and Eagle Pond, with 
 Ragged Mountain overlooking the last named. Here, again, 
 is one of the attractive summering places of the Old Granite 
 State. At Potter Place, two miles beyond Andover, is the 
 station for Mount Kearsarge, the grandest mountain eleva- 
 tion in this part of the State. All this section is thronged 
 by visitors in summer time, ample accommodations for so- 
 journers and temporary boarders being afiforded on every 
 side, and the localities being exceedingly desirable. 
 
 Danbury is thirty-nine miles from Concord and 114 miles 
 from Boston. Here the territory takes on almost mountain- 
 ous features, and the scenery is exceedingly picturesque. 
 
 Grafton lies next to Danbury, and within its territory 
 runs the ridge which forms the watershed between the east 
 and the west, a tributary of the Pemigewasset emptying into 
 the Merrimack River on the eastern side, and the branch of 
 the Mascoma River flowing into the Connecticut on the west. 
 In this town the railroad occupies ground 778 feet higher than 
 that of Concord. Like many of the surrounding towns, Graf- 
 ton has a large number of fine ponds. 
 
 Beyond Grafton, on this line, is Canaan, a town noted for 
 beautiful scenery and for its fine accommodations for summer 
 boarders. Its localities are quiet and restful, and here the 
 ideals of country life in summer time, in a rural farming lo- 
 cality, may be completely realized. Enfield, its next neigh- 
 bor on the west, has become celebrated through its Shaker 
 community, one of the most thrifty and prosperous assem- 
 blages of the representatives of this sect anywhere to be 
 found. Here is the beautiful Mascoma Lake, and many other 
 fine though lesser watersheets. The Shaker settlement is 
 situated on the eastern slope of a range of lofty hills, in the 
 western part of the town. Mascoma Lake is the center of a 
 notable summering place, with summer cottages and camping 
 grounds in great variety and abundance. 
 
 The terminal town upon this line, on the Connecticut 
 River, is Lebanon, sixty-five miles from Concord and 140 
 miles from Boston. The Mascoma River makes a crooked 
 course through the territory of this town, the railroad cross- 
 ing it several times via covered bridges. Here is another very 
 attractive locality for summer sojourners. White River Junc- 
 tion is in the town of Hartford, Vermont, and a connection 
 
is made there with tlie Central Vermont Railroad and the 
 Connecticut & Passumpsic Division of the Boston & ]\Iaine 
 Railroad System, by means of a bridge crossing the great 
 river. Hereabouts the meadow and intervale lands of the 
 river bottoms are in marked contrast to the more rugged 
 scenery generally characterizing the Concord Division. 
 
 Altogether the section of the State through which this di- 
 vision runs has a fine constituency of visitors and sojourners 
 in summer time, while its natural endowments, and the facili- 
 ties for their accommodation and entertainment, are unsur- 
 passed by any of the rural and farming sections of New Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Concord is also the starting point northward for the White 
 Mountains Division of the Boston & Maine Railroad System, 
 which division, passing over the interval between Concord 
 and the Winnipesaukee region, skirts the great lake on its 
 entire western side, passes from thence to Plymouth, which 
 town lies at the gateway of the Pemigewasset Valley and the 
 White Mountains sections, which latter it enters upon, after 
 leaving Plymouth, on the western side and by the way of the 
 towns lying between the bases of the mountain elevations and 
 the Connecticut and Ammonoosuc Rivers. As the Merrimack 
 Valley Route lies practically within a portion of this White 
 Mountains Division of the Boston & Maine Railroad, the 
 course of this line will now be traced from its leaving Con- 
 cord northward until the town of Plymouth is reached. 
 
 Four miles out of Concord, then, passing northward, lies 
 ancient Canterbury, also celebrated for its community of 
 Shakers (juartered in that village. A few miles further north 
 is the town of Tilton, one of the most thriving and 
 up-to-date community establishments of the State. Here the 
 Commonwealth has located an establishment constituting a 
 Home for Disabled Soldiers, and here, too, is the New 
 Hampshire Seminary and Female College; and within the 
 town limits are as fine an assemblage of beautiful residential 
 buildings and artistic institutions as can be found in any New 
 England center of its class in any part. At Tilton the rail- 
 road bids farewell to the Merrimack River and its valley, so 
 far as the intimate connections between the three is con- 
 cerned, as it has existed heretofore. The route now enters 
 scenes characteristic of the approaches to the mountain re- 
 gion, and the natural presentations from this point onward 
 are such as to give the traveller, especially if he be a novice 
 within this territory, small reason for regret that the associa- 
 tions which have proved so attractive and pleasing to him 
 cannot be protracted throughout his journey. 
 
 Tilton is ninety-seven miles from Boston, and is one of 
 the most important centers north of Concord within the 
 State. The original name of the place, after being settled by 
 
26 
 
 the whites, was Sanbornton Bridge, the present name being 
 of comparatively recent origin, and given in honor of the 
 principal family of the place. Like many other of the New 
 Hampshire townships, the historic associations of this place 
 are largely connected with the days when it was possessed by 
 the Indians. Here at one time was the largest Indian fortress 
 in what is now known as New England, works made up of 
 lines of intrenchments, faced with stone and palisaded, — the 
 remains of which are still to be found. Tilton has a very fine 
 town hall, the gift of the present representative of that family 
 name; and in every part of the town are establishments and 
 memorials — works of art and foundations of utility illus- 
 trating the generosity and beneficence of the Tilton family. 
 
 Through this town flows the Winnipesaukee River, here- 
 abouts a charmingly attractive stream, whose features have 
 been seized upon for ornamentation and artistic and archi- 
 
 ; ;,A^KLi\ lAi.i.s, :-..u. 
 
 tectural display by the benefactor of the place. Upon a lofty 
 height overlooking the village a massive granite arch, a re- 
 production of the Triumphal Arch of the Champs Elysee, in 
 Paris, challenges the attention and admiration of every visi- 
 tor to the town. Artistic statues and fountains and the like 
 are scattered about in various localities within the village 
 limits, all testifying to the public spirit and home attach- 
 ments of the Tilton family. 
 
 The territory of Tilton is broken and hilly, and the out- 
 looks from the lofty eminences on every hand are grand in- 
 deed. At East Tilton great mountains become features in 
 the landscapes; and from the higher hilltops great bodies of 
 water come into the views, indicating that the lake as well as 
 the mountain regions of the State will soon be entered upon. 
 At Tilton is the junction of the Tilton & Belmont and 
 Franklin & Tilton Branches of the White Mountains divi- 
 sion. 
 
27 
 
 Leaving Tilton and continuing the journey northward, 
 the railroad stcirts the banks, or passes within easy view, of 
 the Winnipesaukee River; and within a few miles the shores 
 of Little Bay, Lake Winnisquam and Great Bay are entered 
 upon, with scenery of the most attractive variety and con- 
 stantly changing presentations in full view from car windows 
 as the train moves forward. These water surfaces constitute 
 a chain of lakes or large ponds extending from the 
 northern sections of the Tilton territory to the south 
 western corner, or outlet, of Lake Winnipesaukee, which pre- 
 sents a fine culmination of the magnificent water thus af- 
 forded. Really the water passing from Winnipesaukee 
 through this chain of lakes and streams is entirely delivered 
 to the currents of the Alerrimack River, although the Merri- 
 mack name is not bestowed upon the aggregation until the 
 stream has reached the territory of the town of Franklin, as 
 hereinbefore indicated. 
 
 The largest body of water constituting a member of .this 
 chain is Lake Winnisquam, lying a near neighbor on the 
 south of Lake Winnipesaukee, and constituting a watersheet 
 about nine miles in length and two miles in width in its 
 broadest part. Winnisciuam is an Indian name, signifying 
 "beautiful water," — and beautiful water this lake presents in- 
 deed, dotted throughout all its upper portions with lovely is- 
 lands, surrounded on nearly every side by wooded hills, and a 
 center in both summer and winter of employments and en- 
 joyments, delights and pastimes, such as few watersheets in 
 the country can present or make possible. 
 
 Along the eastern shore of this lake the city of Laconia is 
 situated, with its outlying section, Lakeport — a part of La- 
 conia — lying between it and the Winnipesaukee shore. 
 Laconia is an industrial town of comparatively large im- 
 portance, having great variety of manufactures and produc- 
 tions, which are prosecuted with a vim and energy that would 
 insure success under any circumstances or situation. But the 
 summer visitor will be sure to become interested in the place 
 through its magnificent natural surroundings and attributes — 
 the quality of its scenery, natural endowments, provision for 
 summer sports and pastimes and recreations, and the facilities 
 afforded for the perfect enjoyment of all these. Lakeport is 
 the junction point of the Lake Shore Branch of the Northern 
 Division of the Boston & Maine system. 
 
 A little more than eight miles to the northeast of the Til- 
 ton village, and almost overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee 
 from the south, rises Mount Belknap, an elevation that seems 
 almost to have been artificially moulded, so symmetrical and 
 nicely proportioned is its mass. The outlooks from Mount 
 Belknap are of the grandest, including Winnipesaukee, with 
 all the lakes and mountains lying in its neighborhood — 
 
and their name is legion — the Presidential and Franconia 
 ranges of the White Alontains, and sections of the Atlantic 
 toast scenery along Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachu- 
 setts shores. Upon a graduated scale all the hills above La- 
 conia afYord views similar to those from Mount Belknap, so 
 that the scenic presentations of the locality have few superiors 
 in any part of the State. Between the shore of Lake Winni- 
 squani and the bases of the Belknap range the interval is oc- 
 cupied by excellent farms, the residences of the population 
 dotting the spaces as individuals or hamlets in every direction, 
 and collectively presenting that appearance of restful, quiet 
 and inviting qualities, so highly prized and widely sought by 
 vacation seekers of every sort in summer time. In all these 
 sections the summer boarding house constitutes an important 
 and characteristic feature. 
 
 MX. C.\RDI(;AN, ALKXANliRlA, N.H. 
 
 Leaving Laconia and Lakcport, the railroad pursues its 
 way northward, running along the very edge of Lake Winni- 
 pesaukee on the west, the shores of the great lake hereabouts 
 usually presenting the feature of a cliffy formation, of no 
 great height, to be sure, but often abrupt and insuring the 
 advantage of views of the lake waters from a slightly ele- 
 vated position. "Lake Winnipesaukee is one of the fairest 
 watershects in the world, with regard to the purity of its 
 waters, the beauty and grandeur of its surroundings, or the 
 attractiveness of its features and belongings. It is twenty- 
 five miles long and from one to seven miles in width, and 
 has an area of sixty-nine square miles. It is 472 feet above 
 the level of the sea. Dotting its surface are upwards of three 
 hundred islands, many of these of goodly size and amply large 
 
NEWFOUND LAKE. 
 
3° 
 enough for habitation, and some containing dwelUngs or 
 other buildings. These ishmds are the objects of excursions 
 and exploration for myriad visitors in summer time. The 
 beauty of the mountain elevations as seen from the surface 
 of Lake Winnipesaukee, or from the line of its south shore, 
 cannot be exceeded. On the north the whole of the Sand- 
 wich Range bounds the view from many standpoints, while 
 Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, the Belknap 
 Mountains on the south, and individuals of the Franconia and 
 Moosilauke Ranges on the northwest, are constantly to be 
 seen. Members of the Sandwich elevations send their steep 
 declivities down to the very water's edge; and from the 
 heights above the lake mountains thirty, fifty, seventy miles 
 away are visible, according to the state of the atmosphere or 
 to the view point occupied. Many of the larger islands and 
 miles of the shore are beautifully wooded, the varieties of 
 coniferous growth affording every shade of foliage green, 
 from the sombre mourning effects of the hemlocks to the 
 lighter effects of the cedars and savins, while the bright shim- 
 mering greens of the maples and birches, and the smooth 
 masses of the oak and walnut foliage, blend in glorious har- 
 mony over vast expanses. Occasionally a stretch of white 
 gleaming beach shows itself, bordered perhaps by frowning 
 crags, or broken ledges of rock-masses, iron gray and strewn 
 in wildest profusion. Among these features the quiet waters 
 of the lake are constantly appearing, the very ideal of rest 
 and peace. The assemblage of all these features in succession 
 of natural scenes is fascinating beyond description; and the 
 localities are few upon the face of the earth where natural at- 
 tractions have been so lavishly bestowed." 
 
 The one community establishment upon the western 
 shore of this lake is Weirs; and here, of course, the 
 railroad has a station, directly upon and overlooking the 
 lake. Here was a famous Indian headquarters in ancient 
 times, and hereabouts the representatives of the tribes had 
 their fish-weirs, by means of which they took great quantities 
 of shad and other fish in their season, — and hence the name 
 which the place now bears. Weirs is a great summer resort, 
 and has become distinguished by its grove meetings and as- 
 semblages of society organizations within the season. No- 
 table among the establishments of the place are the grounds 
 and buildings of the New Hampshire Veterans' Association; 
 and here are hotels and provision for the entertainment and 
 accommodation for similar organizations and associations 
 from any section. 
 
 From the lake front and the heights of Weirs the finest 
 mountain views may be had, the Ossipee Mountains, Cho- 
 corua. Red Hill, Paugus, Passaconaway, Tri-pyramid, White 
 Face, Sandwich Dome, Lafayette, and many other individuals 
 and well-known ranges. 
 
31 
 
 The natural features of Weirs and its neighborhoods re- 
 tain still their primitive qualities, and arc largely wild and 
 unreclaimed, as was the case when the W'innipesaukee and 
 Ossipee tribes were the only inhabitants of the section. The 
 site is most picturescjue, the territory rising boldly from the 
 lake shore in successions of elevations and lofty hills, with 
 forest growths a chief element in the belongings. Near the 
 railroad station, on the shore of the lake, is the famous "En- 
 dicott Rock," a boulder twenty feet in circumference, upon 
 which are carved the initials of the chiefs of the colonial sur- 
 vey of 1652, and the name and title "John Endicott, Gov." 
 Weirs is the terminal station of the steamboats of the lake on 
 the west. 
 
 Next north of Weirs lies ^Meredith, "one of the most pic- 
 
 IHByS^rit; 
 
 -*^B 
 
 "^Wi- - ;^;„„_ • :'-^'. 
 
 
 
 ■■■:\' ■■'V-.--^ . 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^W i*"* 
 
 
 **=^^^ 
 
 '^1 
 
 _^ 
 
 ^9HH^P^^' . 
 
 ^-^.s 
 
 __ 
 
 
 PROFILE FALLS, BRISTOL, N.H. 
 
 turesque of all the lake towns, and possessed of peculiar at- 
 tractions and advantages for summer visitors." The Mere- 
 dith village stands upon a bay making inland from Lake 
 Winnipesaukee and constituting its extreme northwest sec- 
 tion. As the waters of this bay have sufficient depth for the 
 lake steamers, all the lake ports and every portion of the lake 
 itself are brought into immediate connection with this town 
 through these means. Within the Meredith territory are also 
 a large number of lakelets, ponds and streams, — indeed, its 
 water features form a principal charm of the place, and at- 
 tract thither for visitation or sojourning a great number of 
 summer seekers with every succeeding year. Centre Harbor 
 is about five miles distant from Meredith, with an excellent 
 highway for driving connecting the two places, so that ex- 
 
32 
 
 cursions to that locality may be made by either land or water 
 — an advantage that is sufficiently appreciated. Meredith has 
 become a summer resort of considerable importance, and its 
 growth in this direction is on the increase. For boating, 
 fishing and water pastimes generally, and especially for camp- 
 ing, the place has few superiors. 
 
 Ashland is a village lying twelve miles north from Weirs, 
 a thriving typical New England village, with natural situation 
 and endowments that would render it attractive under any 
 circumstances. Between Meredith and Ashland the railroad 
 passes along the shore of another famous New Hampshire 
 watersheet — Lake Waukawan — which it skirts for upwards 
 of four miles. Lake Waukawan, however, is known locally 
 in these days as "Measley Pond," — a change in title which 
 seems hard to justify under the circumstances. Within the 
 limits of Ashland, the union of the waters of the Squam and 
 Pemigewasset Rivers takes place; but not until the first 
 named river has enlarged and outspread its volume into a 
 succession of broad surfaces that are known as the Squam 
 Lakes, a remarkable natural presentation that distinguishes 
 the eastern and southeastern territory of this town, and which 
 have become universally celebrated through the marvellous 
 beauty of the waters and their environment. A beautiful 
 drive is that from Ashland to Center Harbor on Lake Win- 
 nipesaukee, over an excellent driveway of about eleven miles 
 in length, passing along the shores of the Squam Lakes, and 
 presenting more of lovely scenery comprising mountains, 
 intervales, and lake and river waters, than can be found in 
 any other part of New England within similar limits. 
 
 Five miles northward from Ashland lies Plymouth the 
 shire town of Grafton County, and possessing one of the 
 prettiest of New England villages. This town has consider- 
 able of historic interest in connection with both its original 
 possessors, the Indians, and their successors, the white set- 
 tlers. In the ancient court house of this town the youthful 
 Daniel Webster made his first plea before a jury. In the 
 Pemigewasset House, the principal hotel of the place, and. 
 indeed, the only one, Nathaniel Hawthorne died in 1864. 
 The natural scenery within and about the place is exceed- 
 ingly attractive, and especially the outlooks upon moun- 
 tain peaks are notable. Mount Monadnock is a principal 
 feature of the southwest, as is Mount Moosilauke in the 
 northwest; and between these points, northward, eastward 
 and southward for great distances, mountain elevations 
 of individuals and groups and chains fill up the views. 
 Near at hand is the junction of the Pemigewasset and 
 Baker's Rivers; and the gateway of the Pemigewasset 
 Valley, the "place of crooked pines," according to the Indian 
 idea, is just beyond. The hills of the Plymouth territory — 
 
33 
 and they are tumbled about in great numbers — might be 
 called mountains in any locality that had not so vast an as- 
 semblage of lofty upheavals within sight as has this place; 
 and they constitute the grandest standpoints from which to 
 look upon and estimate the glories of the White Mountains 
 region. As a headquarters for summer sojourning, and from 
 which to make excursions into every part of the lake and 
 mountain region of New Hampshire, Plymouth has few rivals 
 and no superiors. The town and its neighborhoods are 
 thronged with visitors and summer residents in the season, 
 and the provision and facilities for their entertainment and 
 enjoyment is profuse in every department. The place has all 
 
 BRIDGE AT GROTON, N.H. 
 
 the qualities of a mountain region center; and a ride of an 
 hour or two will transport one into the midst of primitive 
 scenes of wild and rugged nature such as are presented but 
 by few sections of the earth's surface. 
 
 Returning now for another brief survey of the Merrimack 
 Valley Route, it must be noted that, between Nashua and 
 Concord, the main line of the Boston & Maine Railroad 
 throws off lateral branches on either hand, which, passing 
 through territory exceedingly interesting to summer seekers 
 on account of the treasures of scenery, situations and satis- 
 factory localities of which they are in search, merits some de- 
 scription in these pages. 
 
34 
 
 MANCHESTER & NORTH WEARE BRANCH. 
 
 One of these offshoots, or spur hues, is the Manchester & 
 North Weare Branch, extending from the city of Manchester 
 northweasterly towards the Connecticut River to the town 
 of Henniker, a distance of about twenty-five miles. This 
 branch Hne follows nearly the course of the Piscataquog 
 River, and ministers to several minor towns and villages of 
 this central New Hampshire section. These towns are, in 
 order beginning at the junction of the branch with the main 
 line at Manchester, Bedford, Goffstown Center, Shirley Hill, 
 Goffstown, Parkers, Oil Mills, Everett, East Weare, North 
 Weare, Colbys, Henniker Junction and Henniker; or, rather, 
 this list comprises the names of the stations at which the 
 trains make stop in passing over the route. From Par- 
 
 NEWFOU.ND LAKE. 
 
 kers a short spur line is thrown ofif to New Boston; and 
 these localities comprise all the objects of ministration of this 
 branch. None of these places are of large importance, con- 
 sidered with reference to population, business and manu- 
 facturing interests, or magnitude of agricultural enterprises; 
 but they all furnish admirable summer homes and temporary 
 abiding places during the outing season, and thousands of 
 visitors of the past can attest their beneficent sanitary and 
 recreative qualities, and that of the communion with nature 
 which they afford. Visits to these localities are comparatively 
 inexpensive in every department, and all their advantages 
 are, visible in summer time to every class and condition of 
 mortals that may be benefited by them. 
 
35 
 
 CONCORD & PORTSMOUTH BRANCH. 
 
 Another — and considerably the largest and most important 
 — of the branches of the Valley Line is the Concord & 
 Portsmouth Branch, another off-shoot making junction with 
 the main line in Manchester. This branch extends from 
 Manchester due east to Portsmouth, on the sea coast, but its 
 trains are run between Concord and Portsmouth as termi- 
 nals. This line is not distinguished in any part of its loca- 
 tion by unusual natural manifestations, having no mountains 
 and not many lakes and streams to characterize its situa- 
 tions. The scenes through which it passes are chiefly rural 
 and pastoral, well situated for domestic and homestead pur- 
 poses, and inviting to humanity in every part. Of farming 
 lands and agricultural establishments on either hand this 
 
 FARM AT ENFIELD, N.H. 
 
 route has no lack; and wherever these occur in the Old 
 Granite State one may be sure that advantages for summer 
 visitation and residence will not be wanting. Not only do 
 the above brief descriptions apply to the immediate localities 
 through which this branch is laid, but the sections on either 
 side for considerable distances are of the same general charac- 
 ter, and are readily reached from the numerous stations of 
 the line. 
 
 Leaving Manchester, at the distance of five miles out is 
 Massabcsic Station, m close proximity to the lake of the same 
 name, of which some account has been given in the forego- 
 
36 
 
 ing pages. The people of the Merrimack Valley cities and 
 towns greatly appreciate this lake and its neighborhoods, 
 and from all sides flock to its enjoyments. From this sta- 
 tion the trains proceed eastward via Auburn, Candia, Ray- 
 mond, Epping (a considerable center), Rockingham Junction, 
 Stratham. Bayside and Greenland to Portsmouth. At Rock- 
 ingham Junction connection is made with the Western Di- 
 vision of the Boston & Maine Railroad System, by which 
 one may make departure if he so wishes. Stratham is a town 
 of about eight hundred inhabitants, situated on Great Bay. 
 Great Bay is formed by the Piscataqua River making a grand 
 inroad southward upon the mainland not far above Ports- 
 mouth, and forming an extensive watersheet which has re- 
 ceived this name. Into this bay the tide ebbs and flows, and 
 it often presents a busy scene of boating in summer time 
 when the tide is in. The views about its shores are very fine. 
 
 MASCOMA LAKE AT EAST LEliANON, N.H. 
 
 At Greenland connection is made by stages with Rye Beach 
 and various points along the ocean shore. There is some 
 excellent fishing in Great Bay within the summer and fall 
 seasons. 
 
 At Portsmouth junction is made with the Eastern Di- 
 vision of the Boston & Maine Railroad System, which fol- 
 lows generally the line of the ocean coast from Boston to 
 Portland, the last-named city in the State of Maine. Ports- 
 mouth is beautifully situated on the seacoast of New Hamp- 
 shire (the State has but sixteen miles of coast), at the mouth 
 of the Piscataciua River. On the opposite side of the river 
 from Portsmouth is Kittery, in Maine, the Piscataciua di- 
 viding at this point between the States of Maine and New 
 Hampshire; and in Kittery is a United States navy yard, 
 
37 
 
 which, liowever, is often called the "Portsmontli navy yard." 
 Portsmouth has the finest climate on the Atlantic shore north 
 of Cape Cod, and has become a summer resort of great im- 
 portance and celebrity, its constituency representing every 
 part of the country. It has beautiful scenery, fine sanitary 
 conditions and superior natural and historic attractions. It 
 is besides one of the oldest community establishments of the 
 country, having been settled only three years after the land- 
 ing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. 
 
 THE SUNCOOK VALLEY BRANCH. 
 
 Another branch of the Merrimack Valley Line is known as 
 the Suncook Valley Branch, its terminals being Hooksett 
 
 LEBANON, N.H. 
 
 and Centre Barnstead, which places are about twenty-five 
 miles apart. This branch is laid in a northeasterly direction, 
 and makes junction with the main line at Suncook, two miles 
 northward from Hooksett and sixty-eight miles from Boston. 
 Suncook is situated at the confluence of the Suncook and 
 Merrimack Rivers; and it is a post village of the town of 
 Pembroke, one of the most beautiful localities of the Merri- 
 mack Valley. As a matter of fact, Suncook is situated in 
 both Pembroke and Allenstown, being found on both sides 
 of the river at this point. A noted highway, known as "Pem- 
 broke Street," a broad country road bordered with ancient 
 elms, extends from Suncook to Concord and has been a 
 celebrated driveway for many decades. 
 
SUMMER PUBLIGfiTlONS 
 
 ISSUED BY THE 
 
 Boston Sn Maine R.R, 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE OF 
 
 NEW ENGLAND SCENERY 
 AND SUMMER RESORTS. 
 
 Fully Illastfated, and Containing Valuable IHaps. 
 
 Fishing and Hunting. 
 
 All Along Shore. 
 
 Among the Mountains. 
 
 Lakes and Streams. 
 
 Northern Vermont. 
 
 The Connecticut Valley. 
 
 Southeast New Hampshire. 
 
 Southwest New Hampshire. 
 
 Central Massachusetts. 
 
 Merrimack Valley. 
 
 Lake Sunapee. 
 
 Lake Memphremagog and About There. 
 
 The Monadnock Region. 
 
 Excursion and Summer Hotel Book — Free. 
 
 any of the above publications will be sent on 
 receipt of two cents in stamps for each book. 
 
 Address 
 
 Passenger Department Boston & Maine Railroad, 
 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 Boston City Ticket Office : 
 322 Washington Street, corner of Mii.k Street. 
 
 D. J. FLANDERS, General Passenger and Ticket Agent. 
 
AUG 15 190 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 II I Hill iiiij iiui iiin mil iiiii iiiii iiiii iiiii III" nil nil 
 
 021 929 651 4 
 
 UNION STATION, CAUSEWAY STREET, BOSTON.