New Hampshire Route 104
Encyclopedia
New Hampshire Route 104 (abbreviated NH 104) is a 23.22 miles (37.4 km) long secondary east–west highway in central New Hampshire
. The highway runs from Danbury
to Meredith
on Lake Winnipesaukee
in the Lakes Region
.
The western terminus of NH 104 is in Danbury at U.S. Route 4. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 3 south of the town of Meredith, between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Waukewan
. NH 104 is locally named the Ragged Mountain
Highway between Danbury and Bristol
.
Until the 1970s, NH 104 used the Smith River Road between Danbury and Bristol. This scenic, winding road parallels the Smith River
. However it was a frustratingly slow drive as a main highway, so the new overland Ragged Mountain Highway was a welcome replacement route for NH 104, leaving the old Smith River Road as a popular route for recreational access to the river.
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...
. The highway runs from Danbury
Danbury, New Hampshire
In 1800, there were 165 people living in Danbury, according to the first official census.As of the 2000 census, there were 1,071 people, 435 households, and 310 families residing in the town. The population density was 28.6 people per square mile . There were 596 housing units at an average...
to Meredith
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 6,241 at the 2010 census. Meredith is situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is home to Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad...
on Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately long and from wide , covering — when Paugus Bay is included—with a maximum depth of ....
in the Lakes Region
Lakes Region (New Hampshire)
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is the mid-state region surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Squam Lake, and Newfound Lake.The area is a popular tourist destination in the summer time, with the activity peaking during the annual Motorcycle Week and races at Loudon's New Hampshire...
.
The western terminus of NH 104 is in Danbury at U.S. Route 4. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 3 south of the town of Meredith, between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Waukewan
Lake Waukewan
Lake Waukewan is a water body located in Belknap County in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire, in the towns of Meredith and New Hampton. The town of Center Harbor occupies part of the lake's northern shoreline. Water from Lake Waukewan flows past the Mill Falls Marketplace in Meredith to...
. NH 104 is locally named the Ragged Mountain
Ragged Mountain (New Hampshire)
Ragged Mountain is a low mountain with numerous knobby summits in the towns of Danbury and Andover in central New Hampshire. It is home to the Ragged Mountain ski resort.-Geography:In his book, The History of the Town of Andover, John R...
Highway between Danbury and Bristol
Bristol, New Hampshire
Bristol is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,054 at the 2010 census. It is home to Wellington State Park, Sugar Hill State Forest, and Profile Falls on the Smith River...
.
Until the 1970s, NH 104 used the Smith River Road between Danbury and Bristol. This scenic, winding road parallels the Smith River
Smith River (Pemigewasset River)
The Smith River is a river located in central New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Pemigewasset River, part of the Merrimack River watershed....
. However it was a frustratingly slow drive as a main highway, so the new overland Ragged Mountain Highway was a welcome replacement route for NH 104, leaving the old Smith River Road as a popular route for recreational access to the river.