Mt Willard and Webster Cliff Then and Now

[Waumbek]

The Monkman's new book shows the White Mountains at its worst after the logging ravages and compares to today. I've been working on a different angle that focuses more on social than natural or environmental history. Here's photo of Mt Willard with Webster Cliff in the background from ca 1900-1920 followed by one of roughly the same spot taken Friday. Webster Cliff has in fact revegetated since then although I want to show something else in this pair: changing modes of getting the View from the Top. As early as the 1850s, carriage rides were available up Willard, a mountain that British novelist Anthony Trollope praised as having a finer prospect than anything in the Alps, an arguable claim, I'd say, but tribute to the fine view from this low summit. The burro rides most likely were available from the Crawford House.