Carroll in Coos County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Crawford House

By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

1. Crawford House Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Abel Crawford and son, Ethan Allen Crawford, built the first Crawford House in 1828. It was run by Ethan's brother, Thomas, until sold in 1852. Fires in 1854 and 1859 destroyed the original inn and a replacement. Col. Cyrus Eastman erected the third and present Crawford House. It opened July 1859 to continue a tradition of hospitality to White Mountain visitors. Among them have been Daniel Webster, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Greenleaf Whittier and Presidents Pierce, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Harding.

Erected by NH Division of Historical Resources and the NH Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 087.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #14 Franklin Pierce, the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, the Former U.S. Presidents: #19 Rutherford B. Hayes, the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #29 Warren G. Harding series lists.

Location. 44° 13.083′

By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

2. Crawford House Marker

AMC Highland Center in the background

N, 71° 24.66′ W. Marker is in Carroll, New Hampshire, in Coos County. Marker is on U.S. 302 0.3 miles east of Mt Clinton Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located adjacent to Crawford Station, used for tourist train excursions by the Conway Scenic Railroad. The marker is across the road from Saco Lake, source of the Saco River. In winter, the marker is hidden by a 7-foot snowbank and the parking area next to Crawford Station is not plowed or accessible. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Twin Mountain NH 03595, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crawford Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Willey Boulders (approx. 2.6 miles away); Site of the Willey House (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mount Washington Hotel / Bretton Woods Monetary Conference (approx. 3.1 miles away); Crawford Notch (approx. 3.1 miles away); Mount Washington (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Mount Washington Hotel (approx. 3.1 miles away); Executive Councilor Raymond S. Burton (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carroll.

More about this marker. The Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Center is located near the marker and sits on the site of the old Crawford House.

Regarding Crawford House. The Crawford House was closed in 1975. The hotel's contents were auctioned off in 1976 and the building was completely destroyed by a fire (thought to be deliberately set) on November 20th, 1977.

Also see . . . Crawford House - White Mountain History

By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

3. Crawford House Marker

Crawford Station in the background

. (Submitted on July 17, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)

By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

4. Crawford House Marker

Saco lake, located across Route 302. Elephant Head can be seen in the extreme lower right of the photo.

Crawford House circa 1975 (before it burned) image. Click for full size.

By Tonto7

5. Crawford House circa 1975 (before it burned)

By Kevin Craft, circa February 1, 2011

6. Crawford House Marker

Marker is difficult to view in winter. Route 302 is on the other side of that snowbank.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 2 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.