On the evening of August 28, 1826 massive flooding occurred after a period of drought followed by torrential rains. Most of the main bridges in the area were washed out and many landslides ensued on the mountain slopes. The Willey family owned the house in this location. After the flooding visits to the house found it undamaged as the landslide went around the house causing no damage. Samuel J. Willey, his wife, five children and two hired hands were no where to be found. There was evidence of a hurried departure but no sign of the people. The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Willey and two of their children were later found in the valance debris. It is surmised that they tried to escape the landslide and became caught in the conflagration. After the disaster the house and the notch itself became a major tourist attraction as people were drawn to the remaining house and the story of human tragedy it represented.
Franconia Notch State Park in Franconia, New Hampshire is one of the jewels of the White Mountains. The state park is easily accessible just a few hours from Boston straight up US Route 93. There is definitely enough to see to make an overnight or longer stay.
The Flume Gorge was discovered in 1808 by 93 year old Jess Guernsey and extends 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The walls of the gorge range from 70-90 feet and are 12-20 feet apart. A water soaked walkway winds its way up the gorge.
The Basin is a 30 foot wide 15 foot deep bowl carved into the granite by rushing water. There is a handicapped accessible path to the basin viewing area.
The Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza is the site of the famous granite outcropping that was the symbol of the state of New Hampshire prior to its collapse in 2003.
The Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire was the iconic symbol of New Hampshire for decades. It was heartbreaking when it collapsed in the early morning of May 3, 2003.
The Old Man Profiler Plaza is a tasteful memorial to the great granite face without being tacky of overly sentimental.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/82P1NsVYMNR2qvZZ
The memorial is adjacent to the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and there is ample parking at the gift shop / museum entrance to the plaza. A long paved path winds it way to the viewing area. If you are handicapped or a slow walker there is a much closer parking area just follow the signage.
When you are in the plaza find the profile post that matches your height and stand on the feet that are inlaid on the stone patio. You will see a silhouette of the Old Man as he was before the collapse.
This is Alex and I’m writing my first post for our family’s website. let me tell you this was worth it. I am 10 years old and i want to tell you about my summer camp with Adventurelore.
It all started off as a get together at the Adventurelore headquarters. We shared our interests in a game and then we headed off onto the bus. We set up camp after a beautiful trip on the bus. When we arrived it was all just woods but we filled it up with tents.
On the first day it was raining so we hiked trough a long dark tunnel to a waterfall, we splashed and had a great time at the waterfall but it was very cold.
We went back to camp and had hamburgers for dinner cooked on a grill.
On day two after eating disgusting pancakes (Yuck) we headed to the mountains for a hike. The hike was with a group of older kids and we hiked up Artist’s Bluff and saw where The Old Man of the Mountain used to be before it collapsed.
After the waterpark we stopped at a school where we played capture the flag with a beautiful sunset in the background of the field. We ate pizza and went back to camp. The last day we just went into town and bought some gifts and snacks.
The trip was great fun and if you are ready for adventure than Adventurelore is the place for you.
Here I am relaxing watching TV after the trip with the “little hands” I bought at the gift shop.
