Glencliff, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Glencliff is a village within the White Mountain National Forest
in the town of Warren
in Grafton County
, New Hampshire
, United States
.
The village consists of fewer than one hundred residents and some forty man-made structures, including the Willing Workers Hall, the Glencliff Community Chapel, the old firefighter's garage, the Glencliff Improvement Cooperative (community water system), the Post Office (located in one of the dwellings) and the Glencliff Home for the Elderly (located higher up the mountain).
, the village was originally part of the town of Coventry (now Benton
), but the town of Warren successfully petitioned the state legislature
to make the village part of Warren. The village was known as Warren Summit until an unfortunate incident in the early 1900s, when two train
s crashed in a head-on collision, due to confusion over town names.
The Glencliff Home for the Elderly was formerly the Glencliff Sanatorium, which opened in the summer of 1909 for New Hampshire residents infected with tuberculosis
(TB) and seeking respite and cure in the fresh mountain air. The sanatorium treated more than 4,000 TB patients during its first 50 years, admitting from 50 to 100 new patients each year.
. More than 1700 miles (2736 kilometers) south, the trail begins on Springer Mountain
, Georgia
, and more than 400 very rugged miles (644 kilometers) north, ends atop Mount Katahdin
, Maine
. While the origin of the name "Glencliff" is not known for certain, Glencliff is, in fact, located in a glen (or valley) and near a cliff—it is nestled below Mount Moosilauke to the east, Wyatt Hill and Webster Slide Mountain to the west, and the cliff of Owl's Head to the northwest, scoured by glacier
s in the Pleistocene epoch and visible from the village.
, jogging
, snowmobiling, and hunting
. Local hiking trails in Glencliff include the Glencliff Trail, Tunnel Brook Trail, Wachipauka Pond Trail, Hurricane Mountain Trail and Blueberry Mountain Trail. The former railroad bed, which parallels New Hampshire Route 25
and intersects the Appalachian Trail, is an excellent rail trail
currently used for walking, jogging, and snowmobiling. The trails and paths in the village are great for snowshoeing. The expansive forest in Glencliff is secluded and suited for viewing deer
, bear
, moose
, turkey
and other wildlife.
White Mountain National Forest
The White Mountain National Forest is a federally-managed forest contained within the White Mountains in the northeastern United States. It was established in 1918 as a result of the Weeks Act of 1911; federal acquisition of land had already begun in 1914. It has a total area of...
in the town of Warren
Warren, New Hampshire
Warren is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 904 at the 2010 census. Warren includes the village of Glencliff....
in Grafton County
Grafton County, New Hampshire
Grafton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 89,118. Its county seat is North Haverhill, which is a village within the town of Haverhill. Until 1972, the county courthouse and other offices were located in downtown Woodsville, a...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
Located in the White MountainsWhite Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
, the village was originally part of the town of Coventry (now Benton
Benton, New Hampshire
Benton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 364 at the 2010 census. Located in the White Mountains, Benton is largely surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. The town is crossed by the Appalachian Trail....
), but the town of Warren successfully petitioned the state legislature
New Hampshire General Court
The General Court of New Hampshire is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The lower house is the New Hampshire House of Representatives with 400 members. The upper house is the New Hampshire Senate with 24 members...
to make the village part of Warren. The village was known as Warren Summit until an unfortunate incident in the early 1900s, when two train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s crashed in a head-on collision, due to confusion over town names.
The Glencliff Home for the Elderly was formerly the Glencliff Sanatorium, which opened in the summer of 1909 for New Hampshire residents infected with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
(TB) and seeking respite and cure in the fresh mountain air. The sanatorium treated more than 4,000 TB patients during its first 50 years, admitting from 50 to 100 new patients each year.
Geography
Glencliff is located in a high valley (1,000 feet above sea level) known as Oliverian Notch, which serves as a pass through the White Mountains. The Appalachian Trail passes directly through the village, with the Glencliff Post Office serving as a major resupply point for its hikersHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
. More than 1700 miles (2736 kilometers) south, the trail begins on Springer Mountain
Springer Mountain
Springer Mountain is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Fannin County of northern Georgia. It is now the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.-Geography:The mountain's peak is at above mean sea level.-Appalachian Trail:...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and more than 400 very rugged miles (644 kilometers) north, ends atop Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at . Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means "The Greatest Mountain". Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park: a steep, tall mountain formed from underground magma. The flora and fauna on the mountain are typical of those...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. While the origin of the name "Glencliff" is not known for certain, Glencliff is, in fact, located in a glen (or valley) and near a cliff—it is nestled below Mount Moosilauke to the east, Wyatt Hill and Webster Slide Mountain to the west, and the cliff of Owl's Head to the northwest, scoured by glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s in the Pleistocene epoch and visible from the village.
Village Services
Glencliff features its own U.S. Post Office, maintained for many years by Mr. Phil Belyea, and before that by his uncle. The Glencliff Improvement Cooperative (GIC) operates and maintains the Glencliff municipal water supply including the well house and approximately 7-12 homes on the town line.Recreation
Recreational activities in the area include hiking, snowshoeing, walkingWalking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
, jogging
Jogging
Jogging is a form of trotting or running at a slow or leisurely pace. The main intention is to increase fitness with less stress on the body than from faster running.-Definition:...
, snowmobiling, and hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
. Local hiking trails in Glencliff include the Glencliff Trail, Tunnel Brook Trail, Wachipauka Pond Trail, Hurricane Mountain Trail and Blueberry Mountain Trail. The former railroad bed, which parallels New Hampshire Route 25
New Hampshire Route 25
New Hampshire Route 25 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire. It runs completely across the state from Vermont to Maine.The western terminus of Route 25 is at the Vermont state line on the Connecticut River in Piermont, where the road continues west as Vermont Route 25...
and intersects the Appalachian Trail, is an excellent rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
currently used for walking, jogging, and snowmobiling. The trails and paths in the village are great for snowshoeing. The expansive forest in Glencliff is secluded and suited for viewing deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
, moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and other wildlife.