Kancamagus Highway
50th Anniversary Celebration
August 14, 2009
9am – 4 pm Schedule
9 am – Noon Historic and Interpretive Programs at popular locations along The Kanc Highway
a. History of the Pemigewasset Wilderness – at Lincoln Woods
b. Logging and railroad History in the Pemi/Lincoln Area – at Lincoln Woods
c. Timber and Wildlife Habitat Management on the White Mtn. National Forest
at The Discovery Trail
d. Geology of the Pemigewasset Region – at Pemigewasset Overlook
e. Native American Names - at C.L. Graham Wangan Ground Overlook
f. History of the Passaconaway Valley and the Russell-Colbath Homestead – at Russell Colbath Barn
g. Covered Bridges of New Hampshire – at Albany Covered Bridge
h. History of the CCC Camps in the White Mountains – at Blackberry Crossing
Campground
9pm – 4 pm Exhibits – Past and Present. At the Russell Colbath Barn
Come see old photos and exhibits about the history, construction and uses of the Kancamagus Highway (now a National Scenic Byway). Talk to folks who helped build the highway and worked on it summer and winter.
2 pm Official Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary. Russell Colbath Barn
Please plan to pack a lunch and enjoy the Kancamagus Highway. Maps are available at the information centers at either end. Food and fuel is only available in the towns at either end. National Forest Recreation Passes will not be required August 14th on The Kancamagus Highway, but special tags for cars will be issued free at the info centers on either end for cars participating that day.
A Vintage Car Scenic Tour of the Kancamagus Highway is scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. Line up starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Loon Mountain Parking Lot. The tour begins at 1 p.m. and travels east over the Kancamagus Highway.
More information on the car tour is available through Charlene Fecteau of Radio Station WMWV-95.3 fm. She can be reached at 603-356-8870 or Charlene@WMWV.com.
Download: Schedule
Download: Kancamagus Celebration Release
Download: "Kruise the Kanc" Auto Tour Schedule
History and Details
NATURAL & HISTORIC POINTS OF INTEREST: Watchable wildlife, Swift River, Dugway Picnic Area, Albany Covered Bridge, Passaconaway Historic Site, Hancock, Pemi, C.L. Graham Wangan Ground, and Sugar Hill Over-looks, Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Lower Falls and Picnic Area, Greeley Ponds Scenic Area, Discovery Trail.
INTERPRETIVE SITES: Saco Ranger Station and Russell-Colbath House, near Conway on the Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln Woods Ranger Station, White Mountains Visitor Center, North Woodstock.
Undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular sections of the White Mountains Trail is the Kancamagus Highway, which stretches 341/2 miles from Conway in the east to Lincoln in the west. “The Kanc,” as it is known, traversesthe White Mountain National Forest, crossing the flank of Mt. Kancamagus and climbing to nearly 3,000 feet in the process. Along its length are numerous hiking trails, federally designated Scenic Areas, and overlooks that provide travelers with truly breathtaking views.
The highway was named for Kancamagus, an early Indian Chief of the Penacook Confederacy, who tried to keep the peace between his people and the white settlers. Repeated harassment by the English eventually ended his efforts, and ultimately brought war and bloodshed to the region. In the early 1690’s, the tribes of the Confederacy scattered, and Kancamagus and his followers moved on, either to northern New Hampshire or—in some instances—to Canada.
It was Passaconaway, Kancamagus’ grandfather, who, in 1627, originally united more than 17 central New England Indian tribes into the Penacook Confederacy. The rich flat land 12 miles from Conway is named for him. This community was first settled about 1790. The Russell-Colbath House is the only remaining 19th century homestead in the area, and serves as a US Forest Service Information Center.
