It was considered an outstanding engineering feat of the period. Construction of the tramway continued through the winter, with almost all the work, pouring 32 carloads of cement, assembling 232 tons of steel and four miles (6 km) of cable, done by hand. Carrying cement and materials by backpack, four dozen men completed the formidable task in December. To build the final passenger tramway it was first necessary to construct a freight tramway to carry materials. Old logging roads on the mountain had been used for skiing since 1929, and the famous Richard Taft Race Course had been developed in 1931-1932. As the contractor began construction of the tramway, a 200-man CCC camp began work on a parking area and developing the Coppermine, Tucker Brook, Kinsman and Cannon ski trails. In August, American Steel Wire Company was awarded the construction contract and the project rapidly took shape. Peabody was named Managing Director of the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. Murphy authorizing a $250,000 bond issue to finance erection of the tramway. In June 1937, a bill was passed by the New Hampshire legislature and signed into law by Governor Francis P. Legislation was drafted and passed in 1935, but the project hit a snag when federal financing, a provision of the legislation, proved unavailable. In addition, the area was already a major route for tourists in the White Mountains. At Cannon, it was possible to build a tramway with only minor cutting of forests and without marring the scenic beauty of the Notch. Winant unanimously recommended Cannon Mountain.Įnvironmental concerns were a principal reason for selecting the Cannon site. In the spring of 1934, after estimating construction costs, completing research on operating costs and potential income, and examining seven promising sites for a tramway, a committee appointed by Governor John G. Bright's idea appealed to an increasing numbers of people and groups associate with winter sports, and Peabody, through his enthusiasm, aroused the support of the New Hampshire legislature. Lloyd and Roland Peabody of Franconia, who was called in as an advisor because of his knowledge of the area and his enthusiasm for recreation development in the White Mountains. In November 1933, the first physical survey of Franconia Notch was made by Batemen, E.J. Batemen of the American Steel and Wire Company to conduct a preliminary survey to locate a suitable site for a tramway and to estimate construction costs. In Europe, Bright had seen passenger-carrying tramways and recognized that building one in New Hampshire could foster the growth of skiing and summer tourism in the White Mountains. Alexander Bright, a skier involved in developing the sport in the area, conceived the idea of building a tramway in New Hampshire during his trip to Europe as a member of the US Olympic Ski Team in 1933. On May 24, 1980, the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway II was dedicated. From its construction in 1938 to its 1980 retirement, the first tram carried 6,581,338 passengers up the 2.1-mile (3.4 km) route to near the summit of Cannon Mountain. US Olympic skier Bode Miller grew up skiing at Cannon.Ĭannon Mountain was the site of the first passenger aerial tramway in North America. Cannon has the most vertical of any ski area in New Hampshire, 2,180 feet (660 m), and is the seventh largest in New England. Cannon has 23 miles (37 km) of trails and a north-northeast exposure and has the only aerial tram in New Hampshire. Cannon is located within Franconia Notch State Park and offers 10 lifts servicing 265 acres (1.07 km 2) of skiing (168 with snowmaking). #Cannon mountain aerial tramway plus#Researchers are responsible for following all copyright and intellectual property laws.44☀9′28″N 71☄1′56″W / 44.15778°N 71.69889°W / 44.15778 -71.69889 Coordinates: 44☀9′28″N 71☄1′56″W / 44.15778°N 71.69889°W / 44.15778 -71.69889ħ3 Plus Mittersill Backcountry Area (86 acres)Ĭannon Mountain Ski Area is a state-owned ski resort located on Cannon Mountain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, United States. Terms of Use: For permission to reproduce or publish material from this collection, please contact the New Hampshire Historical Society. Subjects: Mountains, Aerial tramways, Postcards The caption states, "The ascending and descending tram cars meet at the half-way point of the mile long ride to Cannon's 4200 foot summit." Scope and Content: Photograph postcard of the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway with passengers in Franconia Notch, NH. Title: Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, 1940 Collection Name: Postcard Collection - Franconia Notch: Cannon Mountain
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