Conway, New Hampshire
Conway, situated in eastern New Hampshire, is a charming town known for its natural beauty and recreational offerings. At Echo Lake State Park, a picturesque trail loops around the serene lake, with Cathedral Ledge providing a stunning backdrop. From its summit, visitors are treated to breathtaking vistas of the White Mountains. Diana’s Baths captivates just to the north with its enchanting series of waterfalls. The Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center in North Conway features interactive exhibits that delve into climate science. History enthusiasts can enjoy a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad’s vintage trains, which depart from a beautifully preserved Victorian station. Contact New Hampshire Vacation Rentals
In Carroll County, Conway is the most populous town, with a population of 9,822 as of the 2020 census, down slightly from 10,115 in 2010. Nestled on the southeastern edge of the White Mountain National Forest, Conway encompasses five distinct villages: Conway, North Conway, Center Conway, Redstone, and Kearsarge. Additionally, it shares part of the village of Intervale with the neighboring town of Bartlett.
As the primary economic and commercial nucleus for Carroll County, Conway thrives on tourism, its most vital economic driver. The town’s economy benefits from many lodging and rental options catering to visitors drawn to the eastern White Mountains and the Mount Washington Valley. Meanwhile, the technology sector is the area’s second-largest source of employment. Points of interest in Conway include natural attractions such as Cathedral Ledge, a favorite among climbers, and Echo Lake and Conway Lake. The town is also near several ski resorts, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. Additionally, the Conway Scenic Railroad offers day trips to various picturesque locales. The village of North Conway is especially renowned for its bustling outlet shopping district, attracting shoppers from near and far.
Historically, the area now known as Conway was once inhabited by the Pequawket Indians, an Algonquian Abenaki tribe. These Indigenous people fished, hunted, and farmed along the Saco River, residing in wigwams within stockades. In 1642, the explorer Darby Field from Exeter navigated the Saco River in a canoe, reporting the sighting of “Pigwacket,” an Indigenous settlement extending from Conway to Fryeburg, Maine. The Pequawket tribe’s numbers diminished significantly due to diseases such as smallpox, which were introduced overseas. In May 1725, during Dummer’s War, thirty-six men from Dunstable, Massachusetts, led by John Lovewell, engaged in a skirmish with the Pequawket. Although the exact losses of the Pequawket are unknown, the confrontation resulted in the tribe’s retreat from the area.