DUNBARTON, N.H. (AP) – Several groups hope to highlight historic and scenic areas in four New Hampshire towns by retracing some travels of Revolutionary War hero John Stark, author of the state motto: “Live Free or Die.”
Two regional planning commissions and the towns hope to establish a new General John Stark Scenic Byway along existing roads in Goffstown, New Boston, Weare and Dunbarton. It would pass along more than 45 historic, cultural and scenic points.
The groups say they want to reflect the history of the communities through the Stark family.
Stark once lived in Dunbarton and married there. It’s where he and Molly Stark had their firstborn son.
If approved, the towns will be eligible to seek federal money for information kiosks, parking lots, bike paths and marketing materials.
The byway would run along Route 13 from Goffstown west to New Boston, north along Routes 77 and 114 to Weare, east along Route 77 to Dunbarton, and south along Route 13 back to Goffstown.
The State Byways Council has approved the first stage of the application.
and in May, the council will drive the route and attend public meetings in each town to make sure the community wants the byway.
Weare Town Administrator Fred Ventresco said the town has been thinking about preserving open space and developing a bike path, and he hopes establishing the byway will help protect the natural environment. In Weare, the proposed route passes at least 10 historic sites, from old homesteads to the Maplewood Tavern, formerly the Duston Dearborn Tavern, which was built in the late 1700s, then burned down and was rebuilt in the 1880s.
Betty Straw, past president of the Weare Historical Society, said the original tavern was a regular stop for traders, drovers who were driving herds of cattle to market, and anyone traveling through who needed lodging. The second floor of the building was laid on springs, to allow for dancing.
Dunbarton, which was originally named Starkstown, houses the Molly Stark house, built by Molly Stark’s father Caleb Page, one of the original 10 men given grants by the king to settle the town.
The town also can brag of a sawmill built by John Stark in the mid-1700s, which operated until 1890. A statue commemorating Stark’s son, Caleb, for his bravery in the Battle of Bunker Hill stands in the town common.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
