The newly renovated Crawford Notch Depot Visitor Center enjoys a prime location in the town of Carroll at the dramatic northern end of Crawford Notch along the White Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway on Route 302. Both a cultural jewel and a primary visitor contact point, the historic depot houses the Macomber Family Information Center, where visitors can enjoy educational displays and find helpful information about the area.
History and Architecture
Q. What is the history of the Crawford Notch Depot?
A. The depot is historically important for several reasons:
- The Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad surpassed any railroad of its time in its ability to bring people to the outdoors, including the lovely landscapes of Crawford Notch.
- The railroad running through the depot facilitated the development of the notch as a resort area.
- The depot construction is a prominent example of railroad architecture of the era.
In 1867, it was a true achievement for the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad to open railroad service through Crawford Notch. To build the railroad in this area and to accommodate the sharp rise of 1,369 feet in elevation over 30 miles, extra materials had to be purchased and hauled in.
The depot, built in 1891 by Maine Central Railroad, a company that took over the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad in 1888, is closely associated with the development of the Crawford Notch region as a resort destination.
The railroad made it possible for people to travel to the region. A period of development and the era of grand hotels began as a direct result of the railroad through Crawford Notch.
Q. Why is the Crawford Notch Depot's architecture of interest?
A. There are many interesting aspects of the depot's architecture:
- The depot is on the National Register of Historic Places as a prominent example of 19th century, Queen Anne-style railroad architecture.
- The most recent renovations to the depot followed the original 1891 blueprints and the original color scheme of the building.
- The depot is a one-and-one-half-story frame building with a two-story octagon tower and an eclipsed bay. It is about 950 square feet.
- The hipped roof has an ornamental cornice that includes an awning supported by ornamental wooden brackets.
- The depot has 21 windows, including small stained glass panes. The window exteriors are dado capped with nine-inch moldings.
- There are two chimneys with one fireplace. The fireplace, located on the first floor of the building, includes a stone mantle and decorative clay tile floor.
National Scenic Byways
Q. Who has been involved with the Crawford Notch Depot National Scenic Byways project?
A. The AMC partnered with numerous state and private organizations on this project, including:
Q. Has the Crawford Notch Depot received any special designations?
A. Yes, it is listed on the State Scenic and Cultural Byway. In 1998, the spot was listed on the National Scenic Byway as well. Earlier in 1985, the depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Q. What specific elements were entailed in the National Scenic Byways project?
A. The National Scenic Byways project included the following elements:
- Aging cultural and historic displays have been replaced with state-of-the art, multi-media interpretive displays.
- A replica of the baggage handler's building, once used by patrons of the Crawford House, has been designed and erected to match the Queen Anne architectural style of the Depot. It houses restrooms for travelers that include Clivus Multrum composting toilets — an environmentally sensitive alternative to flush toilets.
- A covered passenger platform, for use by passengers on the Conway Scenic Railroad tourist train that stops in Crawford Notch, has been reconstructed.
- The parking area has been reconfigured to meet growing public demand.
Depot Renovations
Q. How does the depot renovation fit in with AMC's vision for the site?
A. The Depot's recently completed improvements help the AMC provide enhanced services for the public. The project is part of a vision for the site that includes the Highland Center at Crawford Notch, a center for adventure, learning, and lodging. The Highland Center will be built on the site of the former Crawford House and is slated to open in September 2003.
Overall, the site has a rich, local, cultural base, where mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails surround the Scenic Byway and offer recreational opportunities that draw travelers and outdoor enthusiasts to the area.
The Macomber family, for which the new Macomber Family Information Center is named, are longtime AMC members and supporters of the club who have made a significant contribution to the AMC's work in Crawford Notch.
Q. What topics do the new displays cover in the depot?
A. The interpretive opportunities at the depot are extraordinary. The site is steeped in cultural history: from the settlers of the late 1700s to the Tenth New Hampshire Turnpike begun in 1803; from the age of inns and taverns to the era of Grand Hotels; from the heyday of the railroads to the White Mountain School of landscape artists; from the Weeks Act to the New Hampshire State Park System.
Through passive panels and interactive touch-screen displays, topics of interest range from the history of the Crawford House, the life and times of those who called the notch home, lodging operations in the notch area, and a call to stewardship that encourages protection and appreciation of the area for years to come.
