History of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, USA

1839 - Bethlehem
Bethlehem, New Hampshire
Grafton county, is bounded N. by Whitefield and Dalton, E. by Carroll and ungranted land, S. by Franconia and Lisbon, and N.W. by Littleton. It is watered by Great Amonoosuck river. The soil produces good crops of grass and grain. There is plenty of pine timber and sugar maple. Iron ore, both of the mountain and bog kind, has been occasionally found. Two mineral springs have been discovered.—Bethlehem was settled in 1790. It was incorporated, Dec. 27, 1799. Population, 1830, 665.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1854 - Bethlehem
Bethlehem, a post-township of Grafton county, New Hampshire, 75 miles N. by E. from Concord. Population, 950.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1895 - Bethlehem
Bethlehem, a post-village of Grafton co., N.H., in Bethlehem township, on the Ammonoosuc River, 3 miles from Bethlehem Station on the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad (Mt. Washington Branch), 124 miles N. of Concord, and 22 miles W. of Mt. Washington. It has a superior hotel, the Sinclair House, and several large boarding-houses. Pop. of the township in 1890, 1267.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1923 - SCORE FLEE HOTEL FIRE AT BETHLEHEM.
Bethlehem, Sept. 18. - The second disastrous hotel fire in the White Mountains this season occurred here Sunday night. The blaze, starting in a storeroom on the rear of the third floor of the Arlington Hotel, situated in the fashionable West End here, gutted the rear wing, caused the loss of several thousand dollars and drove out a score of guests. The Arlington is a landmark in Bethlehem and is owned and conducted by FREDERICK C. ABBEE of Maiden, Mass. He has run the hotel for the past 29 seasons.

The fire was discovered by a guest at 9 o'clock. A still alarm was sounded to avoid panic among the guests, some of whom had retired for the night, but when Fire Chief JAMES CARR arrived the fire had gained such headway that he sounded a second alarm and summoned all of Bethlehem's fire fighting apparatus to the scene.
Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
September 18, 1923

Here are some of the best places to go and things to do in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas:
Franconia Notch State Park: This nearby state park is a must-visit for anyone coming to Bethlehem. It offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and the iconic Flume Gorge. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is also here, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Mount Washington: For the more adventurous, a trip to the summit of Mount Washington is a must. Whether you choose to drive up the Auto Road or take the Cog Railway, reaching the summit will reward you with spectacular panoramic views and the opportunity to experience some of the most extreme weather conditions on Earth.

Hiking: The White Mountains are a hiker's paradise, and Bethlehem is surrounded by excellent trails. Some popular hikes near Bethlehem include Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Zealand Falls, and the Presidential Range. These trails offer various levels of difficulty, so there's something for everyone.

Bretton Woods: Just a short drive from Bethlehem, Bretton Woods is famous for its ski resort. In the ... Read MORE...