steve's White Mountain Blog

Home sweet home with some interesting History...1889 the Woodstock Lumber Company.

I was able to buy my home-site 10 years ago from the retired chairman of the Marcal paper mills. We became friends I have helped him sell off some of his old mill properties...I was happy to recycle this site. It took a lot of flood plain engineering, permits for the DOT as I have frontage on an existing train track, and Wet lands permits due to the river frontage...but it was worth all the work.

When they removed the dam used to float logs up to the mill ( about 100 years ago), it left the property flat , fertile and prone to seasonal flooding. But I fell in love with the water and the views.

My new home sits pretty close to where this mill once stood ( about 100 years ago).

Here is the view of the location where the log pond once functioned. When my friend Robert Marcalus started producing paper from all recycled paper products, these log mills where dismantled and sold off. I was lucky enough to cross this businessman's path at just the right time, he was looking to sell and I was in love with this site. My other friends didn't see it. It was overgrown wet and would need years of permitting to solve the issues.

This train Crossing is about 300 feet from my home...The Boston & Maine line crosses North station road a few feet from my garage.

The old rail road line is used by the dinner train now...they have recycled the use of the old paper mill tracks. It is now a popular tourist line running several times a day during the summer, and 4 nights a week for a six course meal. Try the Hobo train or the Cafe Lafayette Diner train for a great day, or night rolling on the river.

  This trestle bridge crosses the Pemigewasset river about a half a mile from my house and marks the edge of the old paper mill land I purchased to recycle as a place to live.

I have been helping people with all their real estate needs in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for over 26 years. Call me if you are looking for expertise in Acquisition, development, renovation or resale marketing of your dream property in the Mountain or lakes area of N.H. Going Green takes on a whole new meaning!

Clearbrook Village at Loon Mountain Lincoln New Hampshire, across the street from the slopes means you have a south facing condominium with the best views of the ski slopes offered anywhere in the area.

I deliberately left the window trim in this photo so you can see I took the shot through the Living room glass.

Truth in advertising: the place is a bit tired, it is 25+ years old...It needs new carpet, and the furniture is mostly not worth keeping unless you were going to use the property for rentals. The owners have updated the heating system to gas , the kitchen consists of colors that are manageable, the master bath features a steam shower and the loft has some nice built-ins.

Carpet and furniture can be replaced, frankly I feel sorry for the folks that search by the interior photos only, when making decisions on which places to see. They search the Internet and see beautiful interior arrangements , but fail to realize the location and view should take a higher priority...those are the items that can't be replaced or updated.

               This is the view I took from the third floor master bedroom Window.

In a few weeks these trees will be in full color....Followed by a deep blanket of white for the balance of the winter. If you think the ski slopes at Loon Mountain resort look pretty cool from this September picture, wait a few weeks...or a few months and this will take on a whole new beauty. The picture window in the master bedroom offers fabulous views and during the ski season you can watch the groomers tending to the slopes, and pick which trails you plan to try for your first run of the day.

Asking Price $229,000

1,650 square feet , three level townhouse (LISTING)

End unit with 3 bedrooms plus loft, wood

Burning fireplace…and the views are Great!!

   Lease with the option to buy is also available, $1,250/ month Minimum of 6 months the $7,500 in rent can be  applied to the purchase agreement if the tenant/ buyer closes after the six months are completed.

WENTWORTH

Wentworth is home to Plummer’s Ledge Natural Area and part of the White Mountain National Forest. It has a picturesque town common bordered with a Federal style church and antique homes. With abundant water power from the Baker River, Wentworth once had 9 sawmills; in 1856 during a flood the mills, homes, barns and roads were washed away and the river widened by 90 feet ending the river’s power.

Population in 2009: 7872    Land Area: 41.9 square miles  Tax Rate: $ 15.99/1000

Public Library

Schools: Wentworth Cooperative (grades K-8)  Pemi-Baker Cooperative (grades 9-12)  SAU 48

WATERVILLE VALLEY

Incorporated in 1829 from land grants Waterville was a popular summer resort as early as 1911.  In 1914 when the federal government was authorized to purchase lands for the National Forests- Waterville lost a substantial mount of acreage, Major development of Waterville as a winter recreation area was began in 1965 by Olympic ski racer- Tom Corcoran.  The town name was officially changed to Waterville Valley by the legislature in 1967. 

Population in 2009: 268  Land Area:  64.4 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 11.68/1000

Schools: Waterville Valley (grades K-8)  Pemi Baker Regional (grades 9-12))  SAU 48

Town Boards: Selectmen, Zoning, Planning, Conservation

Special Events:  9/4 and 9/5 Town Square Concert 5:30-8:30; 9/5 End of Summer Bash & Fireworks Noon to 9pm;  10/2 Waterville Valley Chili Challenge Noon- 2PM;

10/9- 10/11 Fall Foliage Festival

WOODSTOCK

Woodstock was first granted in 1763 as Peeling- later named Woodstock after a palace in Woodstock, England.  It includes the village of North Woodstock, the commercial center.  The extensive forested lands include the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest an outdoor lab founded by the US Forest Service. The Appalachian Trail crosses the northwest corner, Russell Pond in the east and Lost River in the west.  The logging industry and grand hotels accessed by rail vanished, but Woodstock remains a popular tourist destination.

Population in 2009: 1,163   Land Area: 58.5 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 15.55/1000

Public Library

Schools: Lincoln-Woodstock Cooperative (grades K-12) SAU 68

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning, Conservation

Special Events: 9/1 Road Cycling New England Disabled Sports Center, Lincoln

9/2 Waterskiing New England Disabled Sports 2-6PM River Edge Marina, Holderness

9/3 Lost River Gorge & Caves Wild Caving Tours 8:30am-11am Lost River, No Woodstock

9/4 Summer Send Off, Loon Mt., Lincoln

9/5 Rubber Ducky Regatta 10AM-1PM Cascade Park, North Woodstock

9/17 Golf Tournament New England Disabled Sports

9/17 – 9/19  35^th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games  Loon Mt, Lincoln

10/9 15^th Annual Lincoln Craft Fair, Lincoln Village Center           

10/10 Oktoberfest at Loon Mt, Lincoln

 I have added a real estate search button on the Bottom of the blog page, With the MLS listings for all of Grafton County New Hampshire. Search by price, style property or town and see multiple pictures of each listing. 

SUGAR HILL

Sugar Hill is New Hampshire’s youngest town, incorporated in 1962.  The name comes from the groves of Sugar Maples in the hills.  With panoramic views of both the White Mountains including the Presidential, Franconia and Kinsman ranges and Green Mountains the area became a fashionable Victorian resort destination.  The first resort based ski school in the US was opened there is 1929 by Kate Peckett and Sig Buchmayer, both important in the history of skiing.  Today is still has a number of fine restaurants, inns, original estates and incredible views.

Population in 2009: 613  Land Area: 17.2 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 18.36

Public Library

Schools: Lafayette Regional (grades K-6)  Profile Regional (grades 7-12) SAU 35

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning, Conservation

Special Events: 9/4 & 9/5 Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, Lincoln

9/11 Annual Corvette Show, Lincoln;   9/11 Easton’s Fire Department Poker Run for Toys for Tots, Franconia; 9/24 Mittersill Open House at 1pm; 9/26 Nor’easter Powered by Eastern Mt Sports at Loon Mt, Lincoln; 10/2 Harvest Supper Train at the Hobo Railroad, Lincoln 7-9pm

WARREN

Warren is surrounded by White Mountain National Forest and includes the village of Glencliff which in the first half of the century treated more than 4,000 people for tuberculosis- the thought being that the pure mountain air was curative.  Mt. Carr is the highest elevation at 3,300 feet. The town’s most famous landmark is a ballistic missile erected in the village center.  It as transported from Huntsville, Alabama in 1971 in honor of Senator Norris Cotton, a Warren native.  The same model launched Alan Shepard, the 1^st American in space.

Population in 2009: 975     Land Area: 49 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 19.99/1000

Schools: Warren (grades K-6)   Haverhill Cooperative (grades 7-9) Pemi-Baker Regional (grades 9-12)  SAU 23

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning

For more Real Estate information on all towns in the Grafton County area of New Hampshire please click on the MLS button below my profile.

I played golf last night the course runs along the Pemigewasset river in Woodstock New Hampshire. I observed this canoe trying to navigate a series of rapids, but the woman in the front was attempting to do the paddling while the male passenger took a nap.  Apparently these folks miss the point of rowing together, in order to be effective the person in the back of the boat has to steer or you'll go in circles. If you are not going to work together you are better off going it alone.

This is not a social commentary or a comment on the economy...But if you are going to guide your boat from the back seat everyone should be padding ...if you are going to sleep at the wheel pull over,get out of the way and stay out of the rapids.

Hire A Local Real Estate Expert to help steer your boat through the rapidly changing economic times in our current housing market...going it alone may be futile, and a tremendous waste of energy, with no results.

ORANGE

Originally chartered as Cardigan, Orange is a small town at the bottom of Grafton County.  The name may have been changed because of large quantities of yellow-orange ochre found in Mt. Cardigan. The town is only 16 miles east of Dartmouth College and 10 miles from Plymouth a quiet country lifestyle with easy access to the larger communities. Orange is listed as having no cable access or town utilities.

Population in 2009: 308   Land Area: 23.2 square miles   Tax rate: $ 20.63

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning

Schools: Mascoma Valley Regional (grades K-12)  SAU 62

ORFORD

A small rural community located along the Connecticut River, the boundary between New Hampshire and Vermont, and is 20 miles north of Dartmouth College. One of the original settlers was inventor Samuel Morey, who lea to the invention of the marine steam engine and first used a paddlewheel to propel a steam boat along the Connecticut River. The highest point is Mt Cube at 2,909 feet, it was home to Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr. The town has natural resources of mountains, hills, ponds giving property owners great beauty.  The Appalachian Trail passes through.

Population in 2009: 1091    Land Area: 48 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 21.68

Public Library

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning

Schools: Rivendell Interstate (grades K-12)  SAU 78

PLYMOUTH

Originally the site of an Abenaki village, burned to the ground during the Queen Anne’s War, it is named for

Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. Located where the Pemigewasset & Baker rivers converge. Daniel Webster lost his first criminal case at Plymouth courthouse. In the early 20^th century Draper & Maynard Sporting Goods Company sold products to the Boston Red Sox and Babe Ruth would come and pick out his equipment. The Plymouth Normal School founded in 1871 was the state’s first teaching college and in 2003 became Plymouth State University. Notable residents have been: Robert Frost, John Cheever, Daniel Webster and Mary Baker Eddy.

Public Library

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning

Population in 2008: 6,385   Land Area: 28.7 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 18.74/1000

Schools: Plymouth (grades K-8)  Pemi Baker Cooperative (grades9-12) SAU 48

As a Plymouth State University Alumi, I have seen great developments in the town of Plymouth and especially on Campus...A new multimillion dollar ice area, the Silver Hall performing arts center, as well as new and improved student housing. If you get a chance to visit the University I would highly recommend it.

The MLS button below allow you to search for real estate all 44 towns in Grafton county New Hampshire.

MONROE

Monroe occupies a narrow strip of land along the Connecticut River- it was once a part of Lyman.  Monroe was authorized by the State in 1854 and named in honor of the country’s fifth President.   The fertile river valley produced crops and the usual river side industries such as sawmills, gristmills, cider mills and blacksmith shops. Today Monroe has a thriving sawmill, large egg farms, some dairy farms and the huge Comerford Dam and smaller McIndoe Falls dam.

Population in 2009: 843     Land Area: 23.8 square miles   Tax Rate: $9.19/1000

Public Library

Schools: Monroe School (SAU 77) (Preschool to 8) for Grades 9-12 a choice of St. Johnsbury Academy, Woodsville High School, or Blue School in Wells River, Vt .

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning

Special Events: Lord’s Acre Auction (Sept.) Annual Community Halloween party (Oct)

PIERMONT

Situated on the Connecticut River, west of the White Mountain National Forest, this town was named for Piermont in the Italian Alps. It is home to the beautiful Lake Tarleton and several summer camps for youths.

Population in 2009: 674; Land Area: 38.6 square miles; Tax Rate $ 17.42/1000

Public Library

Schools: Piermont School (grades K-8)  Haverhill Cooperative (SAU 23) (grades 9-12)

Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning, Conservation

Special Events: Every Tuesday 3-6pm until October 13- Farmer’s Market with organic produce, cheeses, raw milk, plants & crafts.

LIVERMORE

Livermore is an unincorporated civil township in Grafton County. It was briefly inhabited as a logging town in the late 19th century.  In 1937 all but 1 12-acre parcel is sold to the US Forest Service and in 1951 the town is dissolved by an act of the NH legislature. Located 15 miles from Lincoln on the Kancamagus Highway, which opened in 1959, it also borders a southern tip of Bethlehem and to the south is Waterville Valley. Lincoln, in the 70’s presented a bill in the State House to annex Livermore but was defeated. The elevation is 2,054 and a 2000 census recorded a population of 3.

For More Real Estate listing information in the Grafton county area of New Hampshire , open the MLS button on the bottom of this blog.

LEBANON

Located in Western, New Hampshire it is home to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth Medical School-comprising the largest medical facility in NH. It was named for Lebanon, Connecticut, home of Reverend Eleazar Wheelock,  the founder of Dartmouth College.  A former mill town, much of the old district was destroyed by fire in 1964, and with the routing of Interstates 89 & 91 through Lebanon and the growth of Dartmouth College the town experienced an economic revival. This is event today with a mixed economy of medical services, education, high technology and retail. Novell, Microsoft, Merck and Tele Atlas all have major facilities here. The town has matched these with upgraded recreational facilities: hiking trails, municipal ski area, swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, indoor skating and golf courses.  Also a municipal airport.

Public Library

Population in 2009: 12,722     Land Area: 41 square miles   Tax Rate: $ 24.14/1000

Town Boards: Selectmen, planning, zoning

Schools Lebanon School District SAU 88 (grades K-12) and private & parochial schools (grades 1-8)

Special Events:  Every Thursday 4-7pm Farmers Market in Colburn Park

LITTLETON

Situated at the edge of the White Mountain and bounded on the northwest by the Connecticut River- Littleton is on the bank of the Ammonoosuc River where today a grist mill that opened in 1798 has been full restored. Kilburn Brothers opened a factory to produce stereoscopes that were popular in the Victorian age.  Littleton has long been the prosperous hub of the western White Mountain region and major development followed the 1960s opening of Interstate 93 providing better highway access from Boston and points south. Today it offers many economic opportunities- shopping, services, industry, good schools, social services, state of the art hospital and “big box” stores.

Population in 2007: 6,173; Land area: 54.1 square miles;  Tax Rate: $21.06/1000 

Town Boards: Selectmen, zoning, planning, conservation

Public Library- with bronze statue of Pollyanna, written by town resident, Eleanor Porter.

Schools:  Littleton School District SAU 84 (grades K-12)

Special Events: 9/15 6pm slide show Rick Bidgood of French Rivieria travel and 4 stages of the Tour de France race.

9/17 Littleton Regional Hospital 15^th annual Moose Golf Tournament at Maplewood

9/18 4:30-8pm 38^th annual Rotary Lobster Festival at Bretton Woods ski area

9/25 9/26 29^th annual Antique & Classic Auto Meet with pancake breakfast, flea market

9/25  41^st annual Littleton Art Show on Main Street

If you want to see any listings in Grafton County...use the MLS search botton at the bottom of this blog.

I like to play with photos, but not this time these are untouched (other than cropped or a flash) they are as they appeared in nature. The first shot should be easy to tell what and where it was taken.

  Easy...right Coral and a few obvious tropical fish, taken with my underwater camera (Barbados winter 2010).

      Now the next picture should also be easy...see if you can guess?

The only hint I'll give you is this one required a flash to get the color and texture I was looking for...

               Did you Guess?

        Did you scroll down already to see the next shot?

   Here is the reveal of what the heck the second picture actually was...ready?

                                Who guessed some kind of a strange mushroom growing out of a Tree?

 The tropical fish and coral photo that precedes the Fungus can really trick you. I think most people would have guessed photo number two was also an underwater shot, in a deep dark place rather than on a tree in New Hampshire. The only thing I like better than a dive in Caribbean water is a walk in the woods in my own back yard.

                                                                                                   The Fungus among us!!

 Some of the agent I have come across in the real estate business have figured out how to bait and switch their photos too. They can make a piece of crap property look like a mansion...truth in advertising is my motto if I publish it, it is what you will see when you look at the property.

Ellsworth Hill, Campton New Hampshire Price Reduced by one-third Price of $150,000 down to $99,900…seller wants it gone before it snows.

What a great piece of land for someone with vision, there is a small brook that will need to be crossed to complete the access to the dream Property.

It has nice local views and frontage on a Beaver pond and small brook.

The site is 18.83 acres for $99,900 that is an asking price of a little over $5,000 / acre.

Quiet Country road maintained by the town…close to Owls Nest Golf course and Waterville valley ski area, this is a recreational paradise with no neighbors in sight.

If you are planning a foliage trip to the White Mountains in the near future, put this property on your list, four lot subdivision approvals are completed or keep it as a single family home site and have no houses near by. Listing

 Open the MLS search function click on the Button at the bottom of this blog...to see all area properties for sale.