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A Walking tour of the Jackson Falls Historic District (all seasons-2 hours)
The village of Jackson is fortunate to be the home of so many buildings of historical interest that The Jackson Falls Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003..
To view the seventeen contiguous structures included in the designated area, put on your walking shoes, pocket your camera, and head up Route 16B which begins in front of the Wentworth Hotel and walk as far as the spectacular Jackson Falls. This is the Wildcat, the first river in the country to receive the protection of The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Walk all the way up the Carter Notch Road adjacent to the river. Just before the parking area near the river, on the opposite side of the street you will notice the driveway entrance to a private residence which hides in the trees on a promontory overlooking the town. This magnificent "Castle" was built by General Marshall Clark Wentworth for his wife, Georgia, in 1891. The sumptuous structure (13 rooms, 3 baths, 8 original fireplaces and servant quarters) was her home until she died in 1930. The building then remained unoccupied for 29 years until Countess Mara Bninska purchased and modernized the building. It continues to serve as a private residence.
Please note that the owners of these historic structures take great pride
in their appearance and condition and we ask you to respect their property.
The two tone salmon colored house on your right next to the Wildcat River marks the start of our tour. A two story octagonal tower dominates the southwest corner which was built about 1900 to provide a home for James Pratt, the chauffeur of Wentworth Hall by General Wentworth.
As you continue down the hill, the two story former parsonage sits broad side to the street with its foundation resting in the millrace paralleling the river. Note that the many original windows in this 1911 structure are all multi pane over one, with the largest being 24 over 1. The single story porch is supported by Roman Doric columns.. There are 9 rooms (3 bedrooms and 2 baths) and one original fireplace.
As you continue down the hill, the four Victorian buildings on your right as well as two other "cottages" next to the Jackson Community Church all currently serve as lodgings for guests of The Wentworth Hotel. The first is the Wildwood Cottage built in 1889 on the edge of the Wildcat River and moved to its current site when the stone bridge was constructed in 1931. Note the interesting roof details on the next building, the Sunnyside Cottage (1915) which was the last of the buildings constructed by the Wentworth family. It blends so well with the earliest dwelling, the Arden Cottage (1880) next door that it is thought that William Bates designed both of them. Some of the details to note on all of these Queen Anne- style structures are the interesting roof details, windows, dormers and projections. Of particular note is the "eyelash window" on the roof of the Thorneycroft Cottage (1885) adjacent to the main hotel.
And at the end of Carter Notch Road across from the church sits the magnificent Wentworth, an original grand resort hotel (1882) which was predated in this location by the Thorn Mountain House. This was built in 1869 by Joshua Trickey as a present for his daughter on the occasion of her marriage to General Wentworth. Around 1880, the general moved the original house back and connected it to the new main building by a covered walkway. Today the elegance of the resort hotel attracts guests in all seasons. Many come to be married at the lovely church across the street.
The quintessential picture of Jackson —the Jackson Community Church (1846-47) and the Jackson Public Library (1901)-- is a favorite of photographers. The Greek revival style chapel remains the setting for weekly services and hosts many weddings. It was built at a cost of $1,003.90 by the Protestant Chapel Association which still owns it. Ownership of pews may be passed down in the same family, but cannot be sold except back to the PCA for resale. There is a long waiting list!
The PCA also owns the land on which the "Free Public Library for the Town of Jackson, NH" is located. A Boston architect, William Ralph Emerson designed this as well as the Jackson home/studio of White Mountain artist, William Shapleigh.
The remaining two historic landmarks, the 1920 Fairlawn Cottage and the Amster Cottage are also part of the Wentworth complex. The design details which are simpler than the earlier cottages reflect the increased cost of construction 30 to 40 years later.
Cross the stone bridge which was built in 1931. The original iron bridge is now located on Valley Crossroad upstream above Wildcat Falls.
On this side of the river, much local activity is centered in the historically significant Jackson School (1860) and the Town Hall (1879). 1910 and 1991 additions were made to the elementary school which houses less than 60 students. Almost all of the towns in NH had a " town house," later called a town hall, where town meetings were and still are held. Electric lights were added in 1901 and a furnace in 1902 however there are still no water or toilet facilities. The citizens today access the school facilities rather than use the "two-holer" inside of the Town Hall.
Of special interest to architects is the interior construction of the two story 37’by 80’ Trickey Barn near the school. The Trickey Barn is all that remains of the Jackson Falls House complex , the first hotel in Jackson, which was torn down in 1971. Some repairs were made to the 1858 barn through the efforts of local citizens and current plans for the antique include the possibility of dismantling and use for library needs.
To learn more about the history of .the village and its families visit the outstanding museum of the Jackson Historic Society on Route #16 where displays of maps and period costumes are reminders of this beautiful hamlet which has hosted visitors for decades. For visiting hours and more information go to www.jacksonnhhistory.org.
Thanks to the JHS for your continuing support and for giving web visitors (especially history buffs) another excellent reason to visit the Distinguished Inns of Jackson!
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