Franconia in Grafton County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Why is it called A NOTCH?

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 2008

1. Why is it called a NOTCH? Marker

Inscription. When North America was first settled, pioneers built their homes of logs. To aid in falling the timber, they made U or V-shaped cuts at the tree’s base. Similar cuts were made in the logs to hold their cabins together. They called these cuts NOTCHES. As the settlers moved inland from the coast, they discovered in the mountains, openings, or narrow passages, shaped like the notches in the logs of their cabins. Since those early days, the term NOTCH has been used here in New Hampshire where first trails, then roads, passed through narrow openings in the mountains.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration.

Location. 44° 9.949′ N, 71° 40.733′ W. Marker is in Franconia, New Hampshire, in Grafton County. It can be reached from U.S. 93. The marker is in the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site in Franconia Notch State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franconia NH 03580, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

It is also

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in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franconia Notch (here, next to this marker); The Old Man of the Mountain (here, next to this marker); A Delicate Balance (here, next to this marker); Viewing the Old Man (a few steps from this marker); Preserving a Fragile Formation (a few steps from this marker); Profile Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); Landslides (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Cliff (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franconia.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 1997

2. Franconia Notch seen from Profile Lake

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 1,310 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.