Grafton county N.H. towns: Franconia and Grafton
FRANCONIA
Franconia is in the very heart of the western White Mountain region while the eastern two-thirds of the town is National Forest land including the peaks of Mt. Lafayette, Garfield and North & South Twin. The south-central is the world famous Franconia Notch State Park- Echo and Profile Lake, Cannon Mt and Eagle Cliff. 
The Old Man in the Mountain tumbled on May 3, 2003- a lasting memorial to the Old Man will be erected along the shore of Profile Lake. Franconia’s industry is tourism-its scenic beauty has brought many famous people throughout the years-Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Washing Irving and Robert Frost who lived here from 1915-1920. The 1930’s brought the development of skiing on Cannon Mountain- the roots of American ski racing can be traced to the steep slopes of Cannon.
Population: in 2009- 1,047 Land Area: 65.7 square miles Tax Rate: $15.02/1000
Schools: Lafayette Elem. School (grades K-6); Profile Regional (grades 7-12) SAU 35
Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning, Zoning, Conservation Commission
Special Events: 8/7 Top of the Notch Triathlon; 8/21 5PM Pot Luck Dinner; 
9/25 Pumpkin Fest
GRAFTON
Grafton is located on the southern boundary of Grafton County and is home to Ruggles Mine, a small tourist
destination. The tourism region for Grafton is Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee. John Hancock was one of the original colonists- while presently Grafton is the focus of the Free Town Project- a movement that seeks to encourage Libertarians to move to town.
Population in 2009: 1,220 Land Area: 42.6 square miles Tax Rate: $ 18.70/1000
Schools: Mascoma Valley Regional (grades K-12) SAU 62
Town Boards: Selectmen, Planning
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One of my favorite spots in Franconia is the top of Artist Bluff...looking down on Echo Lake and the slopes of the Cannon Mt ski area.
Great highlights for Franconia and Grafton - I simply love the pace of life that comes through in your pictures and I can certainly see wanting to live there!
Leesa, let me know when you are coming I'll pick out a nice spot for you.
Steve I remember being up there when the "Old Man In The Mountain" was still there. Franconia is still a great place to travel to, but to bad the old man is not around any more.
George, They are working on a memorial which will be a series of statues when viewed from a spot will form the outline of the famous old man of the mountain. I'll share a post when it's ready.