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History of Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
Journey back in time to Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
Explore Canaan, New Hampshire, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Canaan Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Chartered in 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth, the town was named after the hometown of many early settlers, Canaan, Connecticut, which had been named for the biblical land of Canaan. It was settled in the winter of 1766-1767 by John Scofield, who arrived with all his belongings on a hand sled...
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Canaan Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Canaan Under Water, The Great Flood, March 1st, 1896.
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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View of Old North Church, 1907
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Train wreck, Canaan, N.H., September 15, 1907
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Canaan Street and Crystal Lake
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Canaan, N.H. looking East, 1908
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Hart's Pond and Town Library, 1908
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Crystal Lake Lodge, Cottage No. 2, Canaan, N.H.
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Residence of Hon. P. D. Currier
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Main Street in Summer, Canaan, N.H.
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Mechanic Street, Looking West, 1910
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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The Mill Dam
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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View of Canaan Street looking South, 1910
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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St. Mary's Church, Canaan, N.H.
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Old Stone House, Canaan, N.H.
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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B. & M. R. R. Station, Canann, N.H., 1914
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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A Winter Morning, Main Street, Looking South
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Colonial Pharmacy, 1915
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Smith and Taplin Block, 1915
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Mt. Cardigan from Canaan, N.H.
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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The Nye House
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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The Rexall Store
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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Lucerne Inn, Canaan St. Lake
The Lucerne Inn, originally known as Gilman’s Tavern, was established in 1798 on the shores of Canaan Street Lake in Canaan, New Hampshire. As a stagecoach stop, it provided weary travelers with food, rest, and hospitality during the early days of American expansion. By 1890, the property was transformed into the Lucerne Hotel by the Weeks family and later managed by their adopted son, William Hinckley. Under Hinckley’s stewardship, the inn became a beloved summer destination, offering guests activities such as swimming, tennis, and golf. In 1908, he expanded the property by adding a two-story wing to accommodate more visitors.
The inn’s reputation for exceptional hospitality made it a fixture in the region during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its prime location and welcoming atmosphere attracted travelers and vacationers seeking respite amidst the picturesque New Hampshire landscape. Though it later transitioned to other uses, including serving ... Read MORE...
Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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School Building, Canaan, N.H.
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to CANAAN
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Celebrate cozy New Hampshire autumns with every sip! The I Love New Hampshire Mug features charming illustrations of Apple Cider Donuts, Pumpkins, and Maple Syrup, capturing the essence of fall in the Granite State.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - Arrival of Trains at Base of Mt. Washington, NH – Postcard Ceramic Mug
Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of the Arrival of Trains at the base of Mt. Washington, NH, captured in exquisite detail as featured in a postcard from over 100 years ago!
NEW HAMPSHIRE - Mt. Washington Aluminum Bookmark – "Climb High, Stay on Track" with Historic Postcard Images
Mark your place in style with this Mt. Washington aluminum bookmark, featuring stunning images from vintage postcards and the inspirational slogan: "Climb High, Stay on Track – Mt. Washington, NH." A perfect keepsake for book lovers, history buffs, and White Mountains enthusiasts, this durable and lightweight bookmark captures the charm and adventure of New Hampshire’s most iconic peak.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - Mt. Washington Coffee Mug - Historic Postcard Images of Mt. Washington & Cog Railway
Climb to the Clouds - Mt. Washington & the Historic Cog Railway! Sip your favorite brew while enjoying a nostalgic journey through the White Mountains with this ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcard images of Mt. Washington, NH, and the legendary Mt. Washington Cog Railway.
Discover Canaan: History, News, Travel, and Stories
1839 - Canaan
Canaan, New Hampshire
Grafton county. Bounded N. by Dame's gore, which separates it from Dorchester, E. by Orange, S. by Enfield, and W. by Hanover, and is situated on the height of land between the rivers Connecticut and Merrimack. It is 16 miles E. from Dartmouth college, 30 S.E. from Haverhill, 25 S.W. from Plymouth, and 40 N.W. from Concord. The only stream of consequence is the Mascomy, which rises in the N.W. part of Dorchester, and after a meandering course of 8 or 10 miles, falls into Mascomy pond in Enfield. Indian stream river rises in the S.E. corner of Dorchester, and running about 8 miles, mingles with the waters of Mascomy, near the centre of the town. Heart pond, so called from its figure, is situated in the centre of the town, and upon a swell of land so elevated that at a distance it presents the appearance of a sheet of water on a hill. It is about 500 rods in length and 200 in width, and the only natural curiosity of any note, is the mound, or bank of earth, which... Read MORE...
Canaan, New Hampshire
Grafton county. Bounded N. by Dame's gore, which separates it from Dorchester, E. by Orange, S. by Enfield, and W. by Hanover, and is situated on the height of land between the rivers Connecticut and Merrimack. It is 16 miles E. from Dartmouth college, 30 S.E. from Haverhill, 25 S.W. from Plymouth, and 40 N.W. from Concord. The only stream of consequence is the Mascomy, which rises in the N.W. part of Dorchester, and after a meandering course of 8 or 10 miles, falls into Mascomy pond in Enfield. Indian stream river rises in the S.E. corner of Dorchester, and running about 8 miles, mingles with the waters of Mascomy, near the centre of the town. Heart pond, so called from its figure, is situated in the centre of the town, and upon a swell of land so elevated that at a distance it presents the appearance of a sheet of water on a hill. It is about 500 rods in length and 200 in width, and the only natural curiosity of any note, is the mound, or bank of earth, which... Read MORE...
1854 - Canaan
CANAAN, a post - township of Grafton co., New Hampshire, on the Northern railroad, 52 miles N. W. from Concord. Pop., 1682.
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.
CANAAN, a post - township of Grafton co., New Hampshire, on the Northern railroad, 52 miles N. W. from Concord. Pop., 1682.
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.
1880 - Sad Accident.
A little child four years of age, of Mr. Webster of Canaan, was fatally scalded last Friday, by falling into a pail of boiling water, which its mother had prepared for washing the floor. The family had but just that day moved into their new home.
The same day a Mrs. Shackford, a lady about sixty years of age, through a misstep, fell the entire length of the cellar stairs, breaking several ribs, and otherwise seriously injuring her—though not fatally.
The Webster and Shackford families had exchanged houses that day, Mr. Webster moving into Mr. Shackford’s house and the latter into the house formerly occupied by Mr. Webster, and both met with injuries narrated.
The People and New Hampshire Patriot
Concord, New Hampshire
April 22, 1880
A little child four years of age, of Mr. Webster of Canaan, was fatally scalded last Friday, by falling into a pail of boiling water, which its mother had prepared for washing the floor. The family had but just that day moved into their new home.
The same day a Mrs. Shackford, a lady about sixty years of age, through a misstep, fell the entire length of the cellar stairs, breaking several ribs, and otherwise seriously injuring her—though not fatally.
The Webster and Shackford families had exchanged houses that day, Mr. Webster moving into Mr. Shackford’s house and the latter into the house formerly occupied by Mr. Webster, and both met with injuries narrated.
The People and New Hampshire Patriot
Concord, New Hampshire
April 22, 1880
1895
Canaan, a post - village of Grafton co., N.H., in Canaan township, 2 miles from Canaan Station on the Northern Railroad. It has 3 churches, a high and a graded school, 2 newspaper offices, and manufactures of lumber, shirts, and overalls. Pop. 500.
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
Canaan, a post - village of Grafton co., N.H., in Canaan township, 2 miles from Canaan Station on the Northern Railroad. It has 3 churches, a high and a graded school, 2 newspaper offices, and manufactures of lumber, shirts, and overalls. Pop. 500.
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 - FORTY HOMES AND STORES IN RUINS Children Playing With Matches Believed to Have Caused Conflagration -- Aid rushed to Stricken Village From Surrounding Country
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT., June 2--Two men were burned to death, another was probably fatally burned and a woman is missing in a fire which practically wiped out the village of Canaan, N. H., 18 miles from here, late today, according to reports to railroad officials here.
The fire started, according to latest reports, in a barn in the center of the village near the railroad. Children playing with matches were believed to have started the blaze. The first buildings to go were the freight and passenger stations of the Boston & Maine Railroad. The village has a population of 1,200.
More than 40 homes and stores including buildings of the Boston & Maine Railroad were destroyed before the fire burned itself out.
Railroad firemen reported the dead men were a father and son named Gilman. The name of the woman said to be missing was not known. Among the buildings burned was a hotel, which was destroyed soon after the fire started.
All telephone and telegraph lines were out of... Read MORE...
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT., June 2--Two men were burned to death, another was probably fatally burned and a woman is missing in a fire which practically wiped out the village of Canaan, N. H., 18 miles from here, late today, according to reports to railroad officials here.
The fire started, according to latest reports, in a barn in the center of the village near the railroad. Children playing with matches were believed to have started the blaze. The first buildings to go were the freight and passenger stations of the Boston & Maine Railroad. The village has a population of 1,200.
More than 40 homes and stores including buildings of the Boston & Maine Railroad were destroyed before the fire burned itself out.
Railroad firemen reported the dead men were a father and son named Gilman. The name of the woman said to be missing was not known. Among the buildings burned was a hotel, which was destroyed soon after the fire started.
All telephone and telegraph lines were out of... Read MORE...
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Canaan and its surrounding areas:
Mascoma Lake: Start your visit with a relaxing day at Mascoma Lake. This pristine, 1,165-acre lake offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and boating. There's a public boat launch, and you can rent equipment at local outfitters.
Cardigan Mountain State Park: Hiking enthusiasts will love Cardigan Mountain. The park features a variety of trails, including the West Ridge Trail leading to the summit. Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Ruggles Mine: Located just a short drive from Canaan, Ruggles Mine is a fascinating attraction for rockhounds. You can explore the abandoned mica mine, hunt for minerals, and even take home some impressive specimens.
The Enfield Shaker Museum: Discover the history of the Shakers at this museum in nearby Enfield. Learn about their unique way of life, explore beautifully preserved buildings, and stroll through lovely gardens.
Canaan Historical Society Museum: Gain insight into... Read MORE...
Mascoma Lake: Start your visit with a relaxing day at Mascoma Lake. This pristine, 1,165-acre lake offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and boating. There's a public boat launch, and you can rent equipment at local outfitters.
Cardigan Mountain State Park: Hiking enthusiasts will love Cardigan Mountain. The park features a variety of trails, including the West Ridge Trail leading to the summit. Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Ruggles Mine: Located just a short drive from Canaan, Ruggles Mine is a fascinating attraction for rockhounds. You can explore the abandoned mica mine, hunt for minerals, and even take home some impressive specimens.
The Enfield Shaker Museum: Discover the history of the Shakers at this museum in nearby Enfield. Learn about their unique way of life, explore beautifully preserved buildings, and stroll through lovely gardens.
Canaan Historical Society Museum: Gain insight into... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Canaan Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
We currently have information about 3 ancestors who were born or died in Canaan.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Canaan, New Hampshire, USA
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