NH marks 50th anniversary of Kancamagus Highway

(NECN: Lauren Collins) – It runs 34 miles through the White Mountains National Forest from Lincoln to Bartlett. It’s curves and crests give way to legendary views. And this weekend it passes a milestone. It’s pronounced “Kanc-uh-maw-gus,” and it opened August 14th, 1959 after 23 years of design and construction through steep, rocky, wooded terrain. It was “just a marvelous accomplishment that they could do that,” says Betty Densmore, who’s dad was a lead engineer on the project. At the time, and even by today’s standards, it’s is a feat of man over topography. Edward Russell surveyed the mountain and says there were no computers to help. “Everything was done the old conventional way,” he says, “and when we did measuring during the winter months you could not wear gloves at all.” On Friday, some of the men who worked on the highway, and some of their children, celebrated the anniversary among photos and memorabilia. Mildred Rice joined Densmore and remembered her father would talk about how “they were trying to find a practical way to get across the mountain from east to west. A highway. And that’s what his dream was.” The Kanc, as it’s dubbed, welcomes thousands of sightseers, cyclists and hikers every season, but it also serves a very practical purpose, there was no direct way to get from Lincoln to Conway. “We had to go all around Brenton Woods,” says Ann Benedix of Lawrence, Massachusetts. “So it was a long way around.” The road – which is part of route 112 – is more convenient than ever. Once too treacherous for night-time or winter travel, the road is now open year round, except in the most dangerous weather. “This highway actually allows people to come into the heart of the national forest, so you’re right in the wilderness area,” says Jayne O’Connor of White Mountains Attractions. Something to appreciate no matter how you pronounce it.