Littleton is a convenient base to explore the Franconia Notch State Park together with its attractions which have been drawing tourists here since a surveyor noticed a rock formation resembling a man’s head in 1805.
Word quickly spread about the great stone face and soon, thousands of visitors were flocking to Franconia Notch to catch a glimpse. He became known as The Old Man of the Mountain, and the profile has been New Hampshire’s state emblem since 1945, appearing on license plates, road signs, stamps and the state quarter. Unfortunately, erosion caused the formation to collapse in 2003 and it is no more.
Today the greater attraction, apart from the general size and beauty of the mountains, is the Cannon Mountain Flume, a natural granite gorge containing a cascading waterfall. We took the 2 mile path through the woods and along a wooden walkway along its length of the gorge right beside the gushing water.
The covered footbridge was only built in 1939, but the Flume Bridge dates to 1886.
Later we took the cable car to the 4080 ft summit of Cannon Mountain. on a clear day, apparently we could see the mountains of four states and Canada, but today we had to make do with a fair view on the way up but a summit in the clouds.
We are staying at Country Squire Motel, a traditional motel with lovely bright rooms just a short way off the Main Street.
We immediately liked Littleton.
The Main Street has some surprisingly grand buildings for a modest town but also lots of local shops rather than having been taken over by shops catering purely for tourists.
Chutter’s Candy Store may be the exception, claiming to hold the world record for Longest Candy Counter as well as a huge range of homemade fudge including a mean maple walnut!
The Library has a bronze statue of Pollyanna outside, the creation of Littleton-born Author Eleanor H Porter. The town has adopted Pollyanna’s excessively cheerful nature and rebranded itself the Glad Town, using the motif liberally.
Thayers Inn provided unheard of service and comfort to its patrons when it opened in 1850, catering to the new commercial traveller and the vacationer, and we can report still provides a very tasty dinner in its restaurant.
The Littleton Diner is another institution, albeit only since 1930 and it also turns out delicious food for both breakfast and dinner!
There is even a covered bridge, however this one doesn’t make the historic register as it was only built in 2004.
O there was another little town we passed, incorporated on Christmas Day …
… reminding us of the rector in Trinity Church Boston who wrote the carol. They had obviously had a craft afternoon decorating benches …
… and this one is especially for Joanna!
After criss-crossing the White Mountains in every direction it is time to move on and tomorrow we drive south to New Hampshire’s Lakes.
Off Travelling Together 