Bethlehem New Hampshire (NH) Real Estate Tour

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remaxcp
August 11, 2008

http://www.bethlehemnhreale... -- Tour Bethlehem, NH neighborhoods, condominium developments, subdivisions, schools, landmarks, recreational areas, and town offices. Bethlehem, New Hampshire, loca...

http://www.bethlehemnhrealestate.com -- Tour Bethlehem, NH neighborhoods, condominium developments, subdivisions, schools, landmarks, recreational areas, and town offices.

Bethlehem, New Hampshire, located in the beautiful White Mountains region, offers clean, fresh air and an unparalleled array of outdoor recreational activities. Bethlehem provides its residents a safe, small-town community environment. Bethlehem is known as the "Star of the White Mountains". The town, although teeming with history, retains its rural village flavor.

Granted as Lloyd's Hills in 1774 by Colonial Governor John Wentworth, the town was named for James Lloyd of Boston. It would be the last of the provincial grants in New Hampshire. In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, the original grant could not be found. Lack of documentation would deter settlement until 1787, when the first permanent houses where built. Dropping its homage to Lloyd, a Loyalist, the town would be incorporated as Bethlehem on December 27, 1799, the name selected on the last Christmas Day of the century. There were just 33 families, with agriculture the only industry.

By 1850, however, the population had grown to 950, and Bethlehem contained a gristmill, 5 large sawmills and 2 starch factories. Then, in 1867, the railroad came to Bethlehem Junction. With it traveled tourists from Boston, New York and elsewhere, many seeking to escape respiratory ailments in the low pollen-count environment of "the highest town in New Hampshire" (as claimed on a present-day sign in the village, although several other towns in the state are higher), by then nationally known for its clean air. Others were drawn to Bethlehem by the paintings of the White Mountain artists. Conveniently located near Mount Washington and other attractions of the White Mountains, Bethlehem developed into a Gilded Age resort for the rich and famous.

In 1873, at the beginning of a building boom, Governor Henry Howard of Rhode Island built Howard House. Eventually, over 30 hotels would line Bethlehem's streets. Seven trains arrived daily, some direct from Grand Central Station, stopping at Bethlehem's five depots. Patrons included Presidents Grant, Hayes, Roosevelt, Taft and Harding, as well as author Thornton Burgess and poet Robert Frost. Entertainments included strolling Main Street on a two and a half mile raised boardwalk, carriage rides in the countryside, croquet games or simply lounging about the hotels' sweeping piazzas.

On the hills and thoroughfares of Bethlehem were built large summer "cottages," including that of the Woolworth family. Beginning in 1887, an annual Coaching Parade was held in Bethlehem, with prizes awarded for lavishly decorated horse-drawn carriages. Ornamentations cost as much as $5000, prompting visitor Phineas T. Barnum to proclaim it "the Second Greatest Show on Earth."

But the rise of the automobile would bring the decline of grand hotels. Tourists could now explore regions beyond the limits of rail service. Beginning about 1916, Jewish families began arriving in town, often seeking relief from hay fever symptoms. It was at Bethlehem, in fact, that the National Hay Fever Relief Association was founded. World War II gave the hotels a second life, as tourists avoided war-ravaged Europe and stayed closer to home. By the 1950s, however, hotel attendance had dwindled. Many would close and be demolished.

Today, Bethlehem is known for its special Christmas postal cancellation stamp. Every year, people from all over the world send Christmas cards to the Bethlehem post office to have them postmarked. In 2000, it handled 56,000 Christmas cards. Boasting a wealth of historic summer estates, pristine vacation cottages, stunning alpine vistas and a fabled downtown district, Bethlehem has once again emerged as a major tourist destination at the outset of the 21st century, a crown jewel at the heart of the White Mountains. For other town tours visit http://www.virtualhomes.com . For towns in NH visit http://www.nh-virtualhomes.com . For NH relocation information go to http://www.nhrelocation.com .

Category: Travel & Events

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Bethlehem New Hampshire americantowns NH real estate homes condos land houses

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