The White Mountains of New Hampshire feature towering peaks and vivid autumn colors, but beneath their trails lie the remnants of vanished towns, wartime disasters, and legends that have shaped local stories. Five locations in the region blend history with mystery, attracting visitors who seek more than scenic views.
Where a Town Disappeared Without Explanation
Deep in the woods along Sawyer River Road, the ruins of Livermore reveal the remains of a forgotten logging town. The community thrived in the early 1900s as part of the White Mountains’ timber economy, but by the mid-20th century, it had been completely abandoned. Today, hikers can still spot scattered bricks, rusted tools, and stone foundations half-hidden under moss and fallen leaves. Access to the site requires hiking down from Route 302, where the forest now reclaims what was once an active settlement.
Livermore’s abandonment mirrors broader economic changes in New England. Logging booms in the late 1800s and early 1900s created towns almost overnight, but as forests were depleted and railroads declined, entire communities were left behind. Unlike many others, Livermore’s ruins were never fully cleared, preserving a snapshot of life from a bygone era.
A Bomber’s Final Crash Site
On the slopes of Mount Waternomee, the wreckage of a Douglas B-18A bomber still lies scattered across the terrain. The aircraft, part of a 1942 patrol mission against German U-boats in the North Atlantic, crashed due to navigational errors and strong winds. Three crew members survived the initial impact before being rescued during a snowstorm by local search teams.
The crash site remains one of the most intact bomber wrecks in the northeastern U.S. Engines, fuselage fragments, and other debris are still visible along the trail, now marked with American flags placed by hikers as a sign of respect. The location is reached via a hike down Walker Brook Road, off Route 118, where the rugged terrain contrasts sharply with the peaceful forest surroundings.
The Hills’ UFO Encounter
The case of Barney and Betty Hill stands as one of the most documented UFO abduction accounts. In 1961, the couple reported seeing a bright light following their car along Route 3.
The Hills claimed they were taken aboard a spacecraft, subjected to medical examinations, and returned with fragmented memories. They contacted the Air Force the next day, and their story became foundational in UFO research. The incident inspired books, documentaries, and a 1975 TV movie starring James Earl Jones.
A Mountain’s Face and the Lost Inn
Below the cliffs where the Old Man of the Mountain once stood, Profile Lake holds the remnants of another lost piece of history: the Profile House. The inn served tourists drawn to the iconic rock formation—a natural granite profile resembling a human face and a symbol of New Hampshire.
A fire tore through the resort, leveling it, and virtually no sign that it ever existed remains. The Old Man itself collapsed in 2003 after years of erosion and failed stabilization attempts. However, the lake and surrounding trails still evoke the site’s former grandeur. A short paved walk from Exit 34B on Route 93 leads to the lake, where the jagged cliff face remains—a reminder of both natural beauty and human ambition.
Local Legends and Historical Markers
The rocky summit of Mount Chocorua is tied to the haunting legend of the Pequawket Chief Chocorua, whose story varies but often ends with his murder by a white settler on the mountain. The mountain features several moderate hiking trails looping through the region where many hikers claim to have heard haunting sounds in the woods. The area is heavily visited for its trails and panoramic views of the valley around the mountain. Whether fact or tall tale, the legend serves as a reminder of the tumultuous history of the settlement of the surrounding region. Nearby, a historic marker off Route 16 in Tamworth recounts the Chocorua Legend.
