Picturesque New England

Boston & Maine Railroad – 1908

From the title page: “Published With A View Of Interesting Those In Search Of An Attractive And Healthful Place To Spend The Season Or Vacation Period. Issued By The Passenger Department Boston And Maine Railroad, C. M. Burt, General Passenger Agent.” 

Produced by the Boston and Maine Railroad company, this book was intended as a tourism device to drum up demand for locations on the railroad’s route. The book is composed entirely of plates of different scenic locations, and each is accompanied by a caption, giving the name and location for each photo, as well as how to reach the area via the railroad. The “New England,” title is slightly misleading, as the book is split between photographs from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with one final image of Vermont – not providing as broad a cross section of the region as the publication aims. However, these postcard-like pictures provide a fascinating peek back in time at popular tourist destinations now only a cutting-edge train-ride away for Boston elite.

In The Cathedral Woods
Intervale, New Hampshire
Located on Conway Branch, Eastern Division, Boston and Maine R. R.

The “Tip-Top House”
Mount Washington, New Hampshire
Reached from Fabyan or Bretton Woods, on White Mountains Division, Boston and Maine R. R.
Connection at Base Station with Mount Washington Railway

Birthplace of Horace Greeley
Amherst, New Hampshire
Located on Manchester and Milford Branch, Southern Division, Boston and Maine R.R.

Nameplate

Other than the New Hampshire State Library, we are the only library in the state in possession of one of these copies. So, if you’re doing research or just want to take a peek at cool old photographs, be sure to keep us in mind!