Abenaki Intervale Site Field Guide (DRAFT)

Note: This is a working DRAFT 

For comments or suggestions contact Bob Cottrell, Curator, Conway Public Library's Henney History Room at 603-447-5552. 

for a map and directions to this site, theclio 

For cell phone "theclio" entry see the link here. 

add more photos fuji from bcltp 

C:\Users\chino\Pictures\places dell 14-5000\abenaki site 

Site Layout 

This series of photos helpful for getting the lay of the land, moving from north to south, left to right as viewed from the parking area 

The train was an important part of the site

the gift shop was shed for train company 

train still runs by there today

insert picture intervale train sign, blue 

plaque for Kennett Corp stone 

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notice how the trees have been removed or cut back compared to what you will see today. 

we will see later some important about those trees 

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from parking area, cross rr tracks, important part of why the site here

hotels, tourism, 

gift shop old tool shed? 

the trees planted, labelled in 4 languages 

blue spruce, cedars not as common in this area but important for lifestyle 

tie to abenaki canoe project? abenaki trails 

email them this link 

insert pic nature 

a brochure explains that some of the trees and shrubs were planted with an eye to representing the greatest possible variety of local conifers identified by small markers bearing their names in four languages, Abenaki, English, French and Latin 

the stone plaque installed x year 

sign on the right reads, "x" (click on images to enlarge them). 

can also be seen in this photo 

as well as the larger sign beyond, this sign can now be found in nearby Cannell's Old Fashioned Country Store. 

insert pic of that 

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Layout of site and uses of structures. compare map above from brochure, map below from national register nomination p. 23 

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detail national register map showing features  

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Note: cabin 2 and 5 removed, leaving three cabins in this area 

redo drawing, trace, make 2 and 5 empty box like 7 to indicate removal 

Legend:

1 Gift Shop

2 Cabin A Storage/Cabin (removed after listed on national register) 

3 Cabin B Residential/Office (Stephen Laurent) 

4 Cabin C Kitchen/Sleeping for women

5 Cabin D Sleeping/Bath (Emanuel) removed after damaged by falling tree

6 Cabin E Sleeping/Storage (Emanuel) 

7 Former Location of Wigwam/s (see reporter news, etc. for detail on the burning of this) 

8 Flagpole base

9 Totem Pole base

10 Monument to Joseph Laurent

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there were 5 cabins (all considered "contributing" buildings) 

old brochures found in the gift shop, yield history, now in the collection HHR and being cataloged 

 brochure 

A variety of brochures promoted it "The Abenaki Indian Shop." as "a kind of step into the past."

established in 1884

open daily June 15 to October 15 from 9:30 am - noon and 1 pm - 5:30 pm. 

advertised "genuine Indian products" including moccasins, baskets, jewelry, toys and books on Indian history. 

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Today a new kiosk helps reconstruct the history of the site. 

For cell phone "theclio" entry see the link here. 

plaque for Kennett Corp stone 

x Pequawket plaque at the north 

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In the 1880s, Abenaki Chief Joseph Laurent and his family began annual summer trips from their home in Odanak, Quebec, Canada to New Hampshire. At first, they spent summers in Center Harbor. During one of the visits, Laurant met the proprietor of a hotel near here and was offered the use of land here for a seasonal camp. This location was scenic and convenient to nearby hotels and the railroad depot.

Laurent constructed several cabins and began a successful enterprise of selling crafts and providing entertainment to tourists visiting the area. Every summer, Laurent and his family would lead a small band of Abenaki Indians to the camp where they would sell their wares to tourists and locals alike. Laurent operated the camp on a seasonal basis for 33 years until his death in 1917.

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Over the years the Laurents were important sources of information about Abenaki history and culture for famous anthropologists and historians such as Frank Speck, A. Irving Hallowell, Solon Colby and John Prince. The Laurents were scholars in their own right as well. In 1991 this site was entered into the U.S. National Register of Historic places in part “because of its association with Chief Joseph Laurent, one of three internationally-recognized native scholars responsible for documenting the Western Abenaki language.” His work on grammar, vocabulary, place names, and dialogues was published in 1884, under the title New Familiar Abenakis and English Dialogue.

His son Stephen continued operating the site for many more years. Stephen also continued the scholarly work of his father, and wrote or contributed to many books and articles and published a French-English-Abenaki dictionary in 1995.

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advertisement for 1893 season, perhaps at the hotel/s? no it says intervale junction, across from the railroad station

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insert aerial photo, on loan from Howard Hatch, copy at the Intervale Scenic Vista 

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Gift Shop

The Abenaki Indian Shop was opened here in 1884 by Chief Joseph Laurent and a group of Abenaki from Odanak in Quebec, Canada as part of a summer colony. 

Originally the building was a shed used by the railroad for handcar and tool storage. Chief Laurent bought it and made it into a store. 

It became the headquarters for a flourishing seasonal trade in baskets and other handcrafts and Indian products such as toys, fans, bark and wooden canoes, bows and arrows, drums, pipes, moccasins, jewelry, as well as maps and books. As the original group of summer migrants died off, Laurent’s family carried on the store offering a variety of crafts and products which celebrated Native American heritage. A number of these items can be seen at the Conway Historical Society and the Conway Public Library.

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Gift Shop

add poster 100 years of the store

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crafts, and items sold
some in the collection of the CHS and the CPL HHR

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Crafts

Many Native tribes in North America use sweetgrass in prayer, smudging or purifying ceremonies and consider it a sacred plant. It is usually braided, dried, and burned. Sweetgrass braids smolder and doesn't produce an open flame when burned. Historically, sweetgrass and ash baskets were made and sold in great quantities. Women made decorative or “fancy baskets from ash and sweet grass. Popular styles were sewing or knitting baskets, pencil holders and waste baskets. Large utilitarian baskets were made by men. The Abenaki are still known for their intricate basketry. The summer inhabitants of the camp made and sold such baskets as well as other handmade items such as beadwork, bone work, moccasins, and other leather craft.

Baskets were sold both at their store and at local hotels. Early in the season, baskets were sent to the area hotels and gift shops

and were sold on consignment. These were novelty items that were very popular with guests. By the 1920’s, at least fifteen places sold their baskets on consignment: the Balsams at Dixville Notch, the Summit house on top of Mt. Washington, the Mountain View House at Whitefield, the Crawford House at Crawford Notch, and in Twin Mountain. Baskets were also sold in Maine, as far away as Rangeley, Bridgeton, Sebago Lake and Lovell.

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Chief Joseph Laurent Memorial Plaque

Chief Joseph Laurent was a revered member of the community. In 1902, he was recognized as the legitimate successor of the seventeenth-century Abenaki leaders in New Hampshire when he was invited to be the guest of honor at the unveiling of a memorial plaque commemorating Wonalancet, a former leader and almost legendary hero to the Abenaki in New Hampshire. He was later recognized by Governor Wesley Powell at this site through a monument that was erected in 1959 as a memorial to Chief Laurent.

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Monument to Joseph Laurent 

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The Laurent Family

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note the carved pipe, more on that later, Rodney Woodard 

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flag pole site 

insert pic of the flag on the flag pole 

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Totem Pole

stand for totem pole

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The Totem Pole

The totem pole was carved by Theophile Panadis and dedicated in 1960. It stood over forty feet high. The totem pole featured symbols of tribal history including a bear, turtle, sturgeon, Glooskap (story-teller), and thunderbird. The pole was dismantled in 1982 due to its rapidly deteriorating condition.

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pics what survived of totem pole from chs collection, with paper photo studio

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There was a plaque with a legend/list explaining the parts of the totem pole. 

July 11, 1965 Stephen Laurent, Shirley and Solon Colby (author). 

Archealogist, Indianologist, author of Colby's Indian History...

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Wigwam

a brochure shows at one time a dome shaped wigwam

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another version of wigwam illustrated in one of the brochures 

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The National Register nomination of x year records a conical (tipi or teepee) shaped "wigwam" sheathed in birch bark 

Wigwams and a “step into the past”

“Wigwam” is the Abenaki word for house. Chief Laurent raised several wigwams at the camp and was often seen there in full traditional regalia as a “kind of step into the past.” Above the door he placed a sign that said “welcome” in both English and Abenaki. 

Wigwam: c.1970. Noncontributing Building: The only remaining dwelling from the model Indian village erected by Stephen Laurent is one wigwam constructed around 1970. In design and construction, it combines the traditional form (conical) and materials (overlapped sheets of birch bark), as recorded for the Eastern Abenaki (Snow, 1978b:139), MalisseetPassamaquoddy (Erikson 1978:123), and Micmac (Bock 1978:112-113), with modern metal materials. It is a conical structure formed by spruce logs 2" to 3" in diameter that are lashed together at the apex with alder sprouts and wire. Near the top of the cone, a metal tire rim is used as a structural element. Below the projecting tips of the frame, the outside is sheathed in sheets of birch bark, each approximately 2' x 3' , laid laterally over the frame and affixed with staples. Over the door is a sign constructed of birch bark letters which reads, "KOLIPAION, " which is the Abenaki word for "welcome."  

This photo shows the wigwam in relation to the gift shop on the left and the cabins on the right. 

Note the word x written in sticks above the entrance

this means welcome in Abenaki 

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K’OLI-PAION

“Welcome” in the Abenaki language.

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check chs might have this walking stick in chs collection, or one similar 
similar to what English Jack made, link to you don't know Jack here. 

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not sure where this one was located

not included in the National Register Nomination form of x year. 

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Other interpretive structures included a statue of Pamola described as an Indian hobgoblin (half bird, half man), drying rack, and canoe.

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Cabins

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Cabins

Each summer members of the Odanak Abenaki would travel to this site and set up camp in cabins and wigwams. On the average, fifteen to eighteen men and their families came each year. Guests at local Inns and other tourists would visit the camp to watch crafts being made, traditional foods cooked over an open fire and dances performed in traditional clothing.

cut this one and just use the one up top? or keep this to be close to cabin descriptions? 

insert map of the cabins from national register nomination p. 23 

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Layout of site and uses of structures.

Note: cabin 2 and 5 removed, leaving three cabins in this area 

redo drawing, trace, make 2 and 5 empty box like 7 to indicate removal 

Legend:

1 Gift Shop

2 Cabin A Storage/Cabin (removed after listed on national register) 

3 Cabin B Residential/Office (Stephen Laurent) 

4 Cabin C Kitchen/Sleeping for women

5 Cabin D Sleeping/Bath (Emanuel) removed after damaged by falling tree

6 Cabin E Sleeping/Storage (Emanuel) 

7 Former Location of Wigwam/s (see reporter news, etc. for detail on the burning of this) 

8 Flagpole base

9 Totem Pole base

10 Monument to Joseph Laurent

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there were 5 cabins (all considered "contributing" buildings) 

Layout of site and uses of structures. see map from national register nomination 

copy text on the cabins pp. 5-7 

Cabin A: o.1884-1910. Contributing Building: This is the only non-residential building of those constructed by Chief Joseph Laurent at the camp between 1884 and 1910, and throughout the period of the successful ash-splint basket business (1884-1960) it functioned as a place to store baskets (S. Laurent 1989 interview). It is 1 1/2 stories, set directly on the ground or with minimal support on chunks of granite rubble, measures approximately 12' x 15', and is sheathed with vertical board siding. Much of it has been left open. Windows in both the north and south ends are open as are horizontal rectangular windows on the east and west. The building is entered by a door in the north gable end. 

Cabin B: c.1884-1910. Contributing Building: This is one of the original cabins constructed by Chief Joseph Laurent between 1884 and 1910, a residential building most closely associated with Stephen Laurent as his principal residence until his marriage in 1952. The building is 1 1/2 stories, constructed on a wood frame, and approximately 12' x 15' . It has a gable roof of green asphalt shingles, entries on the north and east elevations, and horizontal rectangular casement windows centered on the east and west elevations. Around 1940, it was sheathed in shingles, another rustic siding typical of the motel and resort eras. About 1950, it was set on a block foundation by contractor John See; and the interior was insulated and sheathed in plasterboard.

Cabin C: o.1884-1910. Contributing Building. This is one of the original cabins constructed by Chief Joseph Laurent between 1884 and 1910, and historically it served as the kitchen cabin all of the meals for the entire camp were prepared here; some cooking was done out of doors. Chief Joseph's wife and daughter lived on the second floor. (The men and women slept in separate cabins when non-family members were present.) It is 1 1/2 stories, of wood frame construction, set on the ground or with minimal support by chunks of granite rubble, and is approximately 12' x 15' in size. It has a gable roof sheathed with green asphalt shingles, a square brick exterior chimney located south of the window on the east elevation, and a door centered on the west elevation. Around 1940, it was sheathed in shingles.

Cabin D: o.1884-1910. Contributing Building: This cabin is one of the original buildings constructed by Chief Joseph Laurent between 1884 and 1910. Historically, this building and Cabin E are closely associated with Emanuel Laurent, one of Chief Joseph's sons. The cabin is 1 1/2 stories, 12' x 15' in size, of wood frame construction, and set on the ground or with minimal support by chunks of granite rubble. A door and granite steps are centered on the south elevation. It is lit by rectangular casement windows on each side. The cabin has a gable roof sheathed with green asphalt shingles, and its exterior is sheathed with shingles added about 1940. 

Cabin E: c. 1884-1910. Contributing Building;: This cabin is one of the original buildings constructed by Chief Joseph Laurent between 1884 and 1910. Historically, this building and Cabin D are closely associated with Emanuel Laurent, one of Chief Joseph's sons. The cabin is 1 1/2 stories, 12' x 15' in size, of wood frame construction, and set on the ground or with minimal support by chunks of granite rubble. A door and granite steps are centered on the south elevation. It is lit by rectangular casement windows on each side. The cabin has a gable roof sheathed with green asphalt shingles, and its exterior is sheathed with shingles added around 1940. 

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For more information contact

link to museum in Odanack, Ontario, Canada here. 

National Register of Historic Places

For the text see this link.



For the photos see this link.

The images and text for this display are by Bob Cottrell, Curator Conway Public Library's Henney History Room.

Funding by the Connie Davis Watson Foundation

Administration by Earl Sires, Town Manager.

Design and fabrication Gemini Signs.

Historic nomination research by Lee Schuh, R. Stewart Wallace. Gary Hume, and Lynne Monroe

Rules and Regulations

This property is managed by the Town of Conway Conservation Commission. The public is invited to enjoy this site for casual recreation and the appreciation of its history. Picnicking, hiking and other low impact leisure activities are encouraged.

We ask that you do not do the following:

Light fires of any kind

Deface or damage any of the buildings or facilities

Take materials from the site

Camping or overnight use

Use motorized vehicles on the site

Please remove all trash when you leave.

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Redstone Walking Tour Field Guide, Conway New Hampshire (east to west)

Note: This is a DRAFT version. For comments, suggestions or more details contact:

Bob Cottrell, Curator

Conway Public Library's Henney History Room

603-447-5552 

cell phone 603-323-3359  

This short, easy walking tour of Redstone starts at this magnificent granite sundial in the "triangle" park and heads northwest to another parking site at Hemlock Lane near Walmart. The trail is a small part of an extensive multiuse trail system. 

While relatively short and easy, this tour provides an amazing number of interesting historical features (and views), and if you bike it, lots of action and adventure. At one time there were more than 350 men employed in the quarry operation here. 

The first section of this trail guide shows some of the highlights of the trail. After that we get into quite a bit of detail for the planning and implementation of directional and interpretive signage. (until we see this picture above of a large stone sundial again). 

(could a simplified drawing/sketch of this serve as a logo for our sign system?) 

for directions, a map, location search see this link here. 

Without stops it takes about 15 minutes to get from the sundial to the lathe house 

It takes another 5 minutes and x moderate elevation gain from the lathe house to reach the quarry. 

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From the quarry back down to the main path, passing the steam boilers ... 

... and granite pilaster 

and then to the opposite end of the trail at Hemlock Lane is another x minutes. 

To make the trip a circle, you can walk back to triangle park and your car within a short time (ten minutes) along Redstone Road. 

Another option would be to start at the Hemlock Lane parking area and kiosk and do the loop from there to the sundial and then walk back to your car at Hemlock Lane. Both options have their pros and cons. 

For a Valley Vision video tour from the kiosk to the sundial see this link here.

You should allow about two hours for this adventure. x miles. Most of the trail is mostly flat and easy. 

If you chose to scramble around the quarry it can add another x hour or more and become much more difficult with an elevation gain of x feet. 

Be sure to follow all of New Hampshire's hike safe rules for details see this link. Check here to see if it is hunting season. Even if it is not hunting season, wearing hunter's orange is a good idea. At other times of the year follow guidelines to protect against ticks and insects. 

For more information contact the Conway Public Library's Henney History Room.

We would like to thank the many people and organizations that helped develop this trail. Please see the credits at the end. 

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This is what to look for as you drive along Route 302 (near walmart?) 

Here you will find the "Redstone Triangle" at the intersection of Eastman Road and Mountain Street. (what the best way to describe in words and illustrate in images how to get to this spot? 

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You can park on the side of the road around the triangle (need to confirm that this parking is ok) 

From here to the "lathe house" is about 15 minutes. From the lathe house to the quarry is another 5 minutes with an elevation gain of x feet. 

In this photo you can see one of the old buildings that served as a store for the Redstone community. More on this later. 

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A couple more images to show where to park, should we delete them? Can we post signs saying where to park and where not to park? 

Let's check out this sundial 

careful observation, guided discovery, clues, evidence, history detectives 

If you look at it from this angle you can see the sundial, the street name signs, and the historic building beyond which served as the store (more on this later). 

Notice the base of the sundial is pink granite with a matte finish, that is then surrounded by highly polished/shiney green granite.  

insert here pics of the names and the writing on the memorial 

If you look at it from the angle below, 

The item in the foreground is a sundial that commemorates the names of Redstone veterans from the first world war, 1917-1919. 

For more veteran memorials in Conway see this link. 

If you look beyond the monuments here in the triangle park, you can see the quarries cut into the hill beyond. 

If you look at it from the angle below, 

Here is what that view used to look like 

You can see some of the derricks used to move the stone blocks around. 

Here is a comparable view from today. 

Here is a detail of that view 

Just beyond the granite sundial are two slabs of stone engraved with some of the history of Redstone. 

While the sundial is highly finished and shows few tool marks, the bench in the foreground here can tell us ... 

while seems simple and straightforward, actually good lesson in stone 

show marks on bench and then the tools used 

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Compare the smooth surfaces with the rough surfaces. Look closely for tool marks. 

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There could be an interpretive sign here on tools

add bit here about hands-on explore tools at chs? 

insert pics those tools and the marks they make 

You can learn more about these tools by visiting the Conway Historical Society link their website here. 

tool box owned by A.J. "Babe" Pinette dated 1932 

real name Pinette also drew the memory map we refer to here. 

list some of his work records, etc. 

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A good description of the tools and techniques used to split granite can be found here. 

first step to drill star drill that looks like this

You can see a video of that process here. 

then insert feathers and wedges 

then split 

hope it splits straight along grain 

insert from slide 42 stone splitting 

why not able to copy?     

  

then rough finish 

then series of finer and finer brush hammers 

then finish tools for fine finish work 

add more here 

engraved piece of redstone. 

Notice the smooth, almost glass like surface of the stone. 

look at the long drill lines on the end of the stone indicating the use of modern equipment. 

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look at the different tool marks on this end of the stone showing evidence of yet a different tool. 

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at the base of the flagpole 

then map navigation, but also community, it is a memory map drawn by A.J. "Babe" Pennette.  (check spelling, ask Ken Rancourt for more info on this). 

The image below is a hand drawn map of the area. It can help you navigate through Redstone village and understand the industrial areas on the trail. 

Here is a detail of the "triangle" section which serves as a veteran's memorial. 

You can use some old photographs from the Conway Public Library's Henney History Room and other collections to orient your self in space and time. 

You will pass this welcome sign at the far end of the triangle area. 

Look carefully at it's shape and the different textures of it's surfaces. 

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In this photo above you can see three different textures of stone finishing. 

insert here or later about the tools that shaped the stone?

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Now you will head towards the railroad tracks and enter the village area. 

Please respect private property as you pass through the village area. 

first set of train tracks 

The train depot seen on the map was located in the field behind the railroad crossing sign. 

show comparison photo this angle/view today 

an interpretive sign or qr code to a webpage could related the relationship of the railroad to the development of the quarry, see Hounsell, pp. 193+ 

"In 1880, the attention of George W. Wagg was called to the fine quality of granite which was used in some bridges of Conway." 

copy more from Hounsell p. 195 use this instead? or in addtion? 

"Somewhere between 1876 and 1880, there arose a need for stone abutments for three bridges in Conway... They were made of granite boulders lying handily at the foot of Rattlesnake Mountain. The ease with which this stone was split and handled excited the admiration of the stonecutters and it was not long before this came to the attention of George W. Wagg, general roadmaster for the Maine Central Railroad. He saw great possibilities in the stone beasue of its color and the fine luster it would take, too." 

Below is looking "south" or "east" to the right 

This main line runs to Portland Maine, a port of the Atlantic Ocean. 

If you look carefully down the track you can see where the siding or side track meets again with the main track. 

and below to the left 

This line runs (or ws intended to run to (Ogdensburg? the Saint Lawrence? seaway, ck history and include maps of the period and today. 

As a result, granite from this quarry could be sent by rail to a port and then shipped by sail and steam anywhere in the world. 

This sidetrack was a  second set of railroad tracks was covered with asphalt leading into the trees on both sides

notice the cracks in the asphalt under which the train tracks are covered. 

This was the "side track" or siding where train cars could be set aside so as not to stop the regular train traffic on the main line.  

insert here about the houses and street names 

location of church 

info on Redstone Church from Hounsell, 196, 

small non-denominational church built by I.C. Pert. 

School 

two room school, steam whistle 

Eastern entrance gate

Walk around the gate. Be sure to carefully read the signs. 

what are rules of parking here? 

insert pic of car parking here 

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The road is paved for a while 

We have had some theft and vandalism ...

Follow the old paved road for a short distance until it ends and transitions to dirt roads. 

Until it comes to a fork. Need directional sign here. 

Take the left fork that leads you on a path through these large concrete blocks. 

There is trash that should be removed (who would do that? when? how often?) 

below can see remnants of when the path/road was paved. 

More trash/debris 

 

Swenson youtube video says this was for the office at 2 min 30 sec. See it here.

 

Should these debris piles be treated as an archaeological dig? Should that or any work in here be coordinated with the State archaeology dept? the division of historical resources? etc? Perhaps for the buildings the NH Preservation Alliance? Should we consider adding the site to the State and/or National Register of Historic Places? 

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Here is a picture of how the office used to look 

insert picture of it from the inside too. 

a closer look at that previous memory map 

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You will next come to an intersection of two trails. 

be careful, be aware, listen, observe, fast moving bikes often move along these trails

share the trail 

Need directional sign here at this Y. 

Then another pile of trash and debris 

and an old well? What should be done with this? 

and an old electrical pole, what should be done with that? 

and old cable, what should be done with that?

You are following the old paths that many men worked along for over x years, since the 1880's. 

Look at the map above to find the path you have taken from the school to the office. 

The next structure you will come to the remains of the office 

another Y forming a short cut to the lathe house 

this then forms a triangle, but don't go there yet. 

instead go left/straight come to a concrete structure, on the left.  

continue of the left fork. 

Swenson youtube video says this was for the gang saw and tumbler at 4 min 23 sec. See it here.

Here is a photo showing the concrete structure and the rock tumbler before it was stolen. From the website here and the webpage here. (This Rock Tumbler was stolen out of the quarry in 2010 for scrap metal. Photo courtesy Stephen Thomas collection). need to get permission to use this photo. 

Joe Viger photo of stolen tumbler 

Are these the same photos? perhaps photographer and collector? 

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To the left just after the concrete structure for the tumbler and before the intersection/road that leads to the carpenter's building is a ditch feature that leads to more piles of metal, etc. 

see the ditch on the right of the photo

erosion issue 

safety 

conservation 

wetland 

Is this the forge from the tool sharpening site? 

What is all this? 

Just a short distance away 

on the other side of the 4 corners,  intersection 

you will find NEMBA post number 41.

take a left here 

See the post #41 behind the person 

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directing you to the Swenson trail and the outer limits trail to the right

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other directional signs can be found on the trees themselves. 

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Could/should we use signs like this for the Redstone Quarry trail? 
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What to do with all the wire, metal remains all around? 

and these wooden remains?

Could we/Should we, could we clear some of these trees to open up the views? perhaps through a timber cut? 

Just down the road to the left are the remains of the carpenter shop.  

This building should probably be boarded up or removed for safety reasons. 

The picture below shows more graffiti has been added since the previous visit. 

The "Carpenter Shop" a two story building with roof intact however seriously vandalized. Earlier photos show a handsome building which served many purposes including storage of supplies.  Carpenters were  important workers responsible for ongoing maintenance of many wooded structures as well as crating of finished stone work to protect it during shipping by rail.

Retrace your steps and return to the main intersection and continue straight ahead to post #42. directional sign 

Perhaps add a directional sign reading "to the quarry" 5 minute walk, x feet elevation gain, with an arrow to the right could be added to this post on the empty face here. 

From this post 42 you can see the lathe shed through the trees. Should we clear some of these trees? 

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here see "back" side of the post 42 looking at the intersection beyond. Should be able to see from one sign post and/or blaze to the next so easy to follow the trail. 

The back side of post 42 shows the Outer limits trail heads off to the left 

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As you approach the old lathe shed from post 42, 

On the way you will pass the remains of an old derrick. 

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You can see the image/icon of this derrick at the center of the yard on this map

As many as six different rail lines connected to the yard. 

Here is the base of the derrick 

Note the turnbuckles to keep the wires tight 

add info even if not from this derrick, manufacturer and do that for all t&e, ck hagley, siris, etc. for info on manufacturers 

Some of the derricks we will see came from the American Hoist & Derrick Co, St. Paul Minn, Chilled Derrick Patented Feb 4, 1913. Dsc00745

insert photos, map info, perhaps working model, simple machines, on how the derrick system worked. 

for patent see this link: here. 

and slide 181 etc. 2018 11-05 Redstone Outreach slideshow previsit pine tree elem 

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Remnants of "Matron's" derrick, likely with a 90 foot mast and 80 foot boom, was strategically located and able to reach granite blocks coming from the two-way pink quarry tracks, the one-way green quarry tracks as well as  any of the lathes. The base plat "socket" is obvious, the boom is mostly gone while parts of the mast remain along with the massive assembly of steel and ten guy wire attachments.

This massive assembly was on the top of the mast. Many of the wooden masts and booms were of Douglas Fur shipped on articulated flatcars from the Pacific North West.

Below is the top of the derrick. 

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Yard area at the bottom of the one-way track from the green quarry. Multiple buildings were once here.  Still remaining is the polishing shed with partial roof which could handle a column close to 19 feet long. No longer enclosed lies the large lathe which did the initial "roughing out" of a column prior to polishing. Columns were moved  on slings hooked to a derrick and lowered in and out of the lathe building, thus the partial open roof remaining on the polishing shed.

Explore the Lathe building 

How to preserve this building and it's contents? Should we contact NH Preservation Alliance and/or NH Dept Historical Resources, HABS/HAER for advice, support? It would be nice to have students do detailed photos and measured drawings, research on the companies involved, etc.  

This part of the building is leaning precariously. The support to the right has rotted at the base due to contact with the soil. 

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Below before graffiti 

The sills need to be cleared up. Dirt/soil should not be touching the wood part of the building. The drainage around the building needs to be improved or rot will continue. 

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Now let's look at the lathe inside the building. 

How it worked 

Note: The sundial at the east entrance and the pilaster near the west entrance were turned on this lathe. 

A tree has grown in the middle of the lathe cradle. Should we cut it? 

leather belts were connected to the drive above. 

Some of these belts may have been made at Page Belting Company in Concord, NH. Tie to NHDCR info if they have it. As of 2021 the company is still in business. See this link here. 

It was made by the Betts Machine Co. in Wilmington, Delaware 

which photo is better? 

For more on this company see this link here. 

There is a second lathe outside. 

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How to explain these gears and gizmos? 

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Post number 41. 

From here you can go up into the quarry 

After Carpenter shop site pass NEMBA post 41 and 42. 

post number 42. 

insert quarry loop info and pics and map here 

install safety warning signs here 

rocks can be slippery 

metal rusty and sharp can cut 

From this post NEMBA 42 you can head up to the quarry site. This will add x time and x elevation gain to the trail. 

option A take the wider road up

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This is the 

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another option is to go up along the old rail line (suggest go up one way and down the other)? 

You will be walking over the old train lines that ran up and down the mountain. Here you can see them before the trees grew in. 

On this route you would walking up the rail that went to a derrick at a T on the edge of the red quarry, seen the picture above between the two large waist piles of broken rock and in the map below. 

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If you take this path, On the right you will see several piles rock 

Then come to a T 

Option B follow the narrow rail line from the lathe house up to the green quarry seen on the map below. 

8279 + 

go around the back of the lathe house and find the rail line/track

We could remove dirt so that the rail can be seen as in the map. 

as you follow the tracks on the ground, follow the wires that go into the trees, literally into and through the trees. Actually you will see how the trees have grown around the wires 

pic/s of that 

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Again look down at the tracks 

see how a small tree is growing up between the tracks and may eventually surround it. 

In April 2021 this axle and pair of wheels was still on the track. 

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In April 2021 this old metal bedstead head board seen in the photo above was here. 

And below another axle and pair of wheels were not far away in the woods leaning up against a tree. 

Finally you will reach an intersection, cross roads 

need a directional sign here 

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go right here , 

Then come to a T 

between is a big rock with graffiti (could put plaque on this) 

First take the path to the right. It is a short dead end into the "red" quarry. 

The following section of the trail guide is a round trip detour to the red quarry and a scurry up to the ledge above.

Note: this is not recommended for inexperienced hikers. It can be risky. 

As you move along this path, you will notice the subtle change in color of the stone from "green" to "red" 

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insert here about this scramble 

And do a link to that whole video here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPv_1Cl3vpw 

6:06 drill holes and 

6:13  and wedges 

copy these pics as print screens and add to field guide

7:13,hairy climb, derrick pins? 

 7:30 derrick still there 

7:35 great view scary climb down 

8:08 see up from down 

8:42 handle that still works on big rough lathe, parts face plate, tail stock   

9:08 roof cut away so derrick can drop granite to the lathe 

Then re-trace your steps and come back to the T and continue on what would have been the left path at the large stone 

Soon it splits forks (we took the right, better to follow the left and take next right) need to photo these other trails later. 

or should we build this trail safer? or both? as it does give good elevated view of the quarry 

here is the trail we should take now as it is safer and easier from the crossroads 

follow this curving path up the hill to the Green quarry 

along the way, you will find piles of "waste" rock. 

some showing a variety of tool marks. 

The section of trail below is paved with stone. Should we have more of that? 

Notice the rail line along the path. 

View near the top looking back. 

More rusty metal. 

boiler 

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rivets 

Walworth (NY valve company) 

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ladder against a tree 

derrick and its "bull wheel" wetland protection, conservation 

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Green quarry, full of ground water, at the top of the one-way, winch rail line. Remnants remain of three wooden derricks, an engine house and "tugger" winch (1893) which retracted a rail car from the end of an extensive quarry dump. Parts of two derricks are obvious within the quarry hole while the third, "stiff-leg" derrick was higher up in the back SE corner of the quarry. When viewing the latter remnants one may note an excellent example of a "clovis" arrangement of hardware which is the anchor for a guy-wire attached  to the top of a derrick.

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to remains of engine house 

perhaps develop this as the main trail up and down? 

see 11/21/2020 photos #3451 etc. 

how to preserve this and protect provide safety to visitors?

At the top you will find the remains of the main quarry operation. 

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How it used to look, how it looks now. 

Engine house 

picture of the remains of this machinery 

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notice the pitman arm in the photo above

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Now head along the path by the edge of the water 

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April 18, 2021 graffiti 

In the photo above you can see the bull wheel just under the water's surface. 

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Stamped American Derrick Co. St. Paul Minn. 

cotter pin 

Detour to the engine house, continue past to the right of it (behind it) 

preservation issue 

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The Dela Vergne Refrigerating Machine Co. New York. 

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Take short detour on top of the "tailings" to view/overlook 

the trail on the left here

need to follow the trail on the right later 
along the way build barrier/s, coping? on both sides to define edges 

incorporate the old rails into the trail, design in drainage 

add photos/measure the slope, width and height of the tailings or waste pile you are walking  on 

along the way you will pass this 

Then come to dead end. 

View ranges from large house on Birch Hill, on the left, Chocorua, then the peaks of the Moat Mountains and possibly catch a glimpse of the White Mountain Hotel at the base of White Horse Ledge. 

compare with additional photos from today, 

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back to this 4 corners 

Now head back down hill to the sign post number x and 

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again, 

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Heading down the hill 

erosion issues 

saftey issues 

What should we do with all these relatively loose metal parts? 

Back to the lathe house 

Continue on and when reach the bottom and the 4 corners, turn right onto the main Swenson path/route/trail  

here see "back" side of the post 42 looking at the intersection beyond. Should be able to see from one sign post and/or blaze to the next so easy to follow the trail. 

The back side of post 42 shows the Outer limits trail heads off to the left 

The next stop after the quarry loop is the site of the old stone shed

Stone shed and blacksmith's forge with fire brick, parts of which have been stolen for scrap metal. The location is in the NNE corner of the original, 500 foot long, wooden stone shed. A cut guy wire from "Matron's" derrick is still visible on the ground while the two photos illustrate what was stolen for scrap metal (2012). 

tool sharpening shed device on the right 

was inside the stone shed 

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The photo above by Joe Viger shows the stolen blacksmith forge and metal plates. 

Is that forge actually over by the tumbler site? 

see photo here from there

Is this the forge from the tool sharpening site? 

several views of the stone shed 

dimensions 

note the site was cleared of trees then

you could see the homes in the village from the stone shed 

Here is view of the shed 

in this photo notice the ornately carved Corinthian capitals and the web of derricks and wires in the background 

Latrine on the left

Latrine building 

pipe in the woods on the right 

sawdust duct box? on the right 

watch out for this trip hazard 

Large CALIX core samples of green granite drilled prior to the last job furnished from Redstone in 1948 by the Swenson and Fletcher granite companies for an addition to the Criminal Courts building in NYC.  Conway green granite was specified by the architect, quarried  at Redstone and shipped by rail to Concord, N.H. and Milford, M.A. for final finishing by the Swenson and Fletcher companies respectively.

Three thousand and two foot core drilled in 1974-75 for exploration by the US Energy Research and Development Administration.  The purpose was to evaluate the heat flow and geothermal potential of the Conway Granite. Secondarily to evaluate the potential source of uranium and thorium assocciated with the Conway Granite. Results did not warrant further exploration. However, there have been further speculations of potential geothermal sources within the Mount Washington Valley.

Now to the boiler room seen on the map below.

And in the photo below. 

Two coal- fired boilers and two giant air compressor-steam engine flywheel combinations were originally enclosed within the same building. Boiler fronts are gone and a number of metal parts have been stolen for scrap metal. The boilers provided steam to power the engines which in turn drove the compressors that provided air for pneumatic tools in the quarries and stone sheds. The large air compressors, built by Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co., were installed in 1903 and 1905.

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stamped "Governor 4" 

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stamped "Governor 3 1/2" 

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Stamped, embossed "Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co." 

The photo below shows what the boiler plate or door would have looked like. 

There are more metal items in the woods along here 

on the right 

on the left

insert photo of the gate here and the powerlines and open field you cross

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Rejected, polished green column," pilaster", flat on one side, designed to go up against a building rather than to stand free. Reportedly it was to have been part of a structure at Grand Central Station, NYC. As recently as  the year 2000 there was another rejected, round, polished green column lying nearby close to 17 feet long.   It  was cut in half in Ringe, NH for the Schiavi Co., owner at the time, and installed on the  front corners of the Intervale, NH Post Office. The left hand column reveals an obvious seam which presumably was the reason for rejection.

Steve Swenson photo 

Once you pass the pilaster, there needs to be some directional signage to lead you to the north kiosk and Hemlock Lane parking area. 

There are a number of potentially confusing twists and turns here. 

Directional post #39. Follow the arrow that leads "To Hemlock" 

can we make this section of trail more straight here? it is kind of confusing when crossing redstone street on the way to the railroad crossing. 

see  trailforks map pillar to pond link here. 

what kind of permission do we need to have folks cross the railroad tracks? 

need a directional sign here

an interpretive sign or qr code to a webpage could related the relationship of the railroad to the development of the quarry, see Hounsell, pp. 193+

what this pipe for? 

need a directional sign here

This kiosk is at the western end of the trail 

Please read the sign

If you want to return to the sundial, redstone triangle, your car/starting point retrace your steps until you get to the intersection of Redstone Street 

need street sign and directional signage here 

From here it is a mostly flat trail/road about x minutes, x mile back to the Redstone triangle. 

consider a culvert or bridge here? wetland protection, conservation 

Do we have permission to cross here? 

To see more examples of Redstone Quarry products in the area, you can go to intervale post office, Conway Historical Society,  

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North Conway Cemetery 

You can go further afield and see (list here) alexandria va, etc. 

Credits and Acknowledgements 

Written by Bob Cottrell, Curator, Conway Public Library's Henney History Room. 

support by 

Conway Conservation Commission 

Conway Public Library 

Conway Historical Society 

Conway Historical Commission 

etc. 

add logos, Conway Public Library, Conway Conservation Commission, Town of Conway, Conway Historical Society, USVLT, 

Museum of the White Mountains, PSU, Noel collection 

etc. 

Contributors and references 

David Emerson 

Janet Hounsell

Rick Russack 

Steve Swenson 

Joe Vigar 

add Chuck and Cheryl, WeRmudfun couple 

etc. 

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