An old painting depicts the Willey family fleeing the slide in Crawford Notch. — from "The Ambitious Guest," by Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne wrote those words 190 years ago in a short story based on the now legendary Willey Slide of Aug. 28, 1826, in Crawford Notch. In a meteorological coincidence, Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 struck on the 185th anniversary of the storm that caused the Willey Slide. It caused massive destruction, including washing out the Sawyer River bridge in Crawford Notch and many hiking trails. The Appalachian Mountain Club's Crawford Depot at the Highland Center (603-278-4453) also contains many historical exhibits on local history, including about the Willey Slide.

Source: Daily Sun September 02, 2016 22:41 UTC