9 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In New Hampshire
Whether you are planning on traveling through various regions of New England or are only choosing to visit the Granite State in particular, there are a plethora of excellent small towns in New Hampshire with bizarre attractions. From the tiny town of Lincoln, displaying Old Man of the Mountain’s little brother, Indian Head, to the small town of Bartlett and the several train cars that were abandoned deep within the forest there, strange occurrences and bizarre attractions tend to exist all over this pastoral New England state. Here are nine of the most eccentric towns in New Hampshire.
Lincoln
Situated at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway, the picturesque town of Lincoln has around a thousand residents. It is home to the Basin, a 30-foot wide, 15-foot deep, natural swimming hole visited by many well-known people, including Henry David Thoreau in 1839. Four miles away, one can watch trained bears riding on scooters at Clark's Bears (Clark’s Trading Post).
The town of Lincoln is also home to Indian Head, formed by a forest fire in the early 20th century. And, if you happen to be interested in aliens, the memorials of Betty and Barney Hill are in Lincoln. In 1961, Betty and Barney Hill were both "supposedly" abducted by aliens.
Moultonborough
Moultonborough, situated at the northern end of Lake Winnipesaukee, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Home to Castle in the Clouds and the Loon Center, two of many natural attractions in the area, the town of Moultonborough is worth a visit. The Loon Center has around two miles of walking trails, while Castle in the Clouds is surrounded by five thousand acres of wilderness.
Moultonborough is also home to the grave of Claude Rains and the Old Country Store and Museum. The Old Country Store, one of the oldest country stores in America, began in 1791, though it was a post office for around a century. Claude Rains, interred in Moultonborough next to his sixth wife, Rosemary, is best known for his role as the Invisible Man.
Rye
The quaint town of Rye, situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, is perhaps best known for Wallis Sands State Beach. Yet this town of barely 5,000 residents is also home to the Sunken Forests of Rye. Seen when the tide is low, these “forests” of tree stumps were first flooded with water at the end of the last ice age.
The Pulpit Rock Tower and the 1614 Monument are two other bizarre attractions in the town of Rye. One of 14 concrete towers constructed during World War II, the Pulpit Rock Tower, 73 feet tall, is the only one still standing. The 1614 Monument commemorates the expedition of Captain John Smith in the year 1614 with a monument that measures 16 feet and 14 inches in height.
Littleton
Quite close to the banks of the Connecticut River and 25 miles north of the small town of Lincoln, the pastoral town of Littleton is home to the well-known Pollyanna Statue. Proudly standing before the local library with her arms raised, this 2002 copper statue of Pollyanna honors the famous classic novel by the same name, as well as its author, Eleanor H. Porter.
The town of Littleton is also home to the longest candy counter in the world. At a length of 112 feet, the longest candy counter in the world is inside Chutters Candy Store, located on Main Street. From the most common of candies, like gummy bears or peppermint, to the rarest, like gummy legos and gummy fried eggs, Chutters has an assortment of candies, gummies, and chocolates that rivals almost everyone else.
Jackson
With only around 1,000 residents, the town of Jackson, situated around 40 miles north of Moultonborough, is a nature lover’s haven. Just a few miles north of North Conway, Jackson is home to Glen Ellis Falls, Jackson Falls, Wildcat Mountain, and Black Mountain. Both Black and Wildcat provide some of the best snowboarding and skiing opportunities in all of New England.
The picturesque town of Jackson is also just south of Thompson Falls, which is a 150-foot, seven-tiered waterfall, and Thompson Falls Trail, which begins just to the left of the lodge at Wildcat Mountain. Mount Washington is also considered to be an important part of the town of Jackson, with great skiing and snowboarding down Tuckerman’s Ravine.
Milford
Located in the southern part of New Hampshire, the town of Milford is known for several attractions with attributes that are classified as bizarre or eccentric. One of these is the ghost town of Monson. Monson started as a town shortly after the beginning of the 18th century. By the second half, its inhabitants had to abandon the town.
The Carolina Cutter Headstone and the Harriet E. Wilson Memorial are also in the town of Milford. The Carolina Cutter Headstone, within the Elm Street Cemetery, with approximately 150 words etched across its surface, is a last accusation toward the church. The Harriet E. Wilson Memorial in Bicentennial Park, is also downtown. It honors the first black woman, Harriet E. Wilson, to publish a novel in the United States.
Hampton
Situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the town of Hampton is best known for its magnificent beach. Hampton Beach draws in thousands of people every summer. The town of Hampton also has a fabulous oceanarium. At the Ocean World Oceanarium, visitors and guests can experience many of the inhabitants of the ocean, including exciting touch-pools for the younger ones in the family.
This picturesque town is also known for General Jonathan Moulton, a Revolutionary War hero. Moulton was thought to have made a deal with the devil. The devil was required to fill Moulton’s boots with gold once a month. Moulton “supposedly” cheated by cutting off the bottom of his boots and attaching them to a hole in the floor, requiring the entire basement to be filled with gold before the boots would fill up. In retaliation, the devil burned down his house. The house was rebuilt and stands in the town of Hampton to this very day.
Hanover
Situated on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, the quaint town of Hanover has a plethora of bizarre attractions, including the Panarchy Tomb Room. This amazing room (unfortunately not open to the public) is located below the main floor of a mansion built in 1835. The tomb room, itself, was constructed shortly after the house and was utilized for secret rites back in the early 20th century.
Another excellent, but rather eccentric addition to Dartmouth College and the town of Hanover, the Epic of American Civilization, a 3,200-square-foot mural located in the basement reading room situated in Baker Memorial Library, depicts two different themes. The west wing theme is entailing the history of Native Americans, while the east wing theme is modern industrialization.
Bartlett
Concealed within the White Mountains, only ten miles southwest of Jackson, the quaint town of Bartlett is home to a plethora of odd and eccentric attractions. For the children within the family, as well any children at heart, Story Land and the Living Shores Aquarium both call Bartlett home. The aquarium has several unique exhibits, including a baby alligator exhibit, while Story Land allows for kids to experience adventure through their favorite stories.
Bartlett is also home to an abandoned train, including three coach cars, a flat car, and a coal car. Situated behind the Josiah Bartlett Elementary School, this relic has been present in this spot for quite some time. And, if you wish to check out a train that still treks through the White Mountains, the Conway Scenic Railroad can be found only a dozen miles away from Bartlett.
The magnificent state of New Hampshire, one of six states in New England, has a variety of small towns that possess eccentricities impressive enough to encourage visitors to return over and over. From the Pollyanna Statue and Chutters Candy Store within the town of Littleton to the Epic of American Civilization mural in Hanover, there are an abundance of eccentric attractions all over New Hampshire that are well worth checking out.
