How the Kancamagus Highway Got Its Name and How to Pronounce It
One of the most scenic roads in America lies in the heart of the New Hampshire mountains. Learn the history of the Kancamagus Scenic Byway.
By Yankee Magazine|Apr 20 2022|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanExcerpt from “The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire,” Yankee Magazine, March 1985.
“No gas for the next 32 miles” says the sign at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway in Lincoln, New Hampshire. No gas, no stores, no houses — nothing but a hundred thousand acres of late-winter stillness, and a narrow strip of windswept road lined with birches like a colonnade of bones.
How Did the Kancamagus Highway Get Its Name?
The Kancamagus Highway (also referred to as the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, or simply “The Kanc”) was named after the last sagamore, or chief, of the Pennacooks, who dominated a confederation of Indian tribes living in New Hampshire in the 17th century. But by 1685, when Kancamagus became sagamore, the Pennacooks were only a shadow of what they had been. Kancamagus and his predecessors tried to live in peace with the English settlers, but they were betrayed and humiliated.
Major Richard Waldron of Dover invited the Pennacooks to a feast, then seized a number of the guests and sent them to Boston in chains. The Pennacooks had no choice but to flee from their homeland in the upper Merrimack Valley and move north to Quebec to seek protection from the French. Four years later Kancamagus returned at the head of a raiding party that fell upon Dover and chopped the treacherous Waldron to pieces on his own table.
When the highway was officially named in 1957, some New Hampshire legislators objected on the grounds that the Pennacook sagamore had murdered Major Waldron. Representative Robert Monahan of Hanover defended Kancamagus as a faithful man who was provoked to war. “I’ll admit that the name may be a bit difficult,” he added, “but it’s easier to spell than Winnipesaukee and easier to pronounce than Chocorua.”
How Do You Pronounce Kancamagus?
Pronounce it Kan-kuh-MOG-us — an appropriate name for a road that opened up one of the last unconquered wilderness areas in New Hampshire, a region that the 1850 state Gazetteer called “unfit for human habitation.” The two-lane highway links the valleys of the Merrimack and the Saco rivers, vaulting over Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet and winding through some of the most difficult and gorgeous terrain in the state. A panel of travel editors pronounced it one of America’s five most scenic highways, and it is a prize attraction during foliage season.
When Was the Kancamagus Highway Built?
Staked out in the ’30s and built partly by CCC workers during the Depression, it took 25 years to carve a road through fir-shaded glens and over boulder-choked rivers. A supervisor sent from Washington once reported back thus: “Quality of work: Excellent. Morale of workers: High. Progress of construction: Negligible.”
Federal Forest Highway No. 8, as it was then known, was finally turned over to the state of New Hampshire in 1957. It lies entirely within the White Mountain National Forest, but is maintained by state highway crews. Bob Henderson has plowed it ever since the road was opened to winter traffic in 1966. “Up there in a storm there’s no describing it,” he said. “There’s a mile or so just east of Kancamagus Pass that we call Breezy Lane; the winds gust up to 60 miles per hour, and you just hope the wing plow holds you close to the bank.”
When Should You Drive the Kancamagus Highway?
The Kancamagus Highway makes for a popular scenic drive in summer and fall. Travel the Kancamagus in September and October and you’ll find yourself bumper to bumper with fellow leaf-peepers. Winter comes early and stays late in those mountains. Homer Emery, a U.S. Forest Service employee since 1948, has a photograph of himself and his wife at Lilly Pond, near the top of the highway, taken on Easter Sunday, 1969. His wife is holding a spray of yellow chrysanthemums and is standing in front of a snowbank eight feet high.
In spite of the weather, March sees a lot of traffic on the highway. When N.H. Highway Commissioner John Morton wrote to federal officials in 1957, urging them to approve funds for the completion of the highway, he listed the reasons in order of priority — first the concerns of local lumber and paper companies who wanted access to logging areas; then fire protection; then the value of an east-west shortcut for commercial truckers; and finally, almost as an afterthought, he mentioned recreation.
Ten years later former governor Sherman Adams opened Loon Mountain at the western end of the highway, and skiers fell upon it like Kancamagus on Dover. Now condos creep up to the very gates of the National Forest, and nearly 800,000 vehicles a year crest the pass named for the last sagamore of the Pennacooks.
Have you ever explored the Kancamagus Highway? Let us know!
SEE MORE:
The Most Beautiful Places in New Hampshire
Driving the Kancamagus Highway in Winter
The Kancamagus Highway | History of New Hampshire’s Scenic Corridor
Of course…I’m from NH. What would you expect? Put the “maw” in the middle.
I have tried to convince people that the middle of the name is pronounced “maw” but they insist it is “man” And I’m not even from N H, though my folks were.
Here in NH, we just call it the “Kanc” 😉
Lived near it all my life. You can tell a flatlander, because they can’t pronounce it right. Nice to see a little more history on the man; Wikipedia only mentions the Dover Raid, but not the reason for it.
I grew up near there and my mother lived in N. Conway during high school and graduated from Kennett High School. One Sunday afternoon in mid September when I was in college, UNH, I believe “I abducted Mom” (she had plenty of excuses why she couldn’t “get away for the day”!) and forced her to drive with me through the “Kanc”. I have never seen such a gorgeous and sunny late summer day and the leaves were peak. I will never forget that day it was so perfect.
When my husband was alive, we would travel the Kanc by motorcycle in the summer. It was our favorite ride, and the most beautiful.
My husband and I just got back from the Kanc! We had a lovely New England trip. The fall foliage wasn’t as good as we had hoped and heard about, however the scenery was still beautiful and the White Mountains breathtaking!
Ah yes, the Kanc. As a so-called flatlander, I, perhaps, shouldn’t know so much about it. But alas, I have traveled the Kanc multiple times over the years on hiking exhibitions up to Greeley Ponds, the Hancocks and, of course, X-Country skiing on what many know as “The Wilderness Trail”. My wife and I have some of our fondest memories there.
I spent many of springs and summers off the Kanc. In 1968 we took our local boy scouts troop to the family cabin across from the Passaconway Station. One of the scouts Bruce Dyke slipped into the frozen waters stream that ran behind the property. It took three scouts to get him out and warmed back up. In the summer of 1969, my parents brought us up to that same cabin and I had my face ripped open by our bulldog jumping up on me. I had to be taken to the Conway Hospital which looked like and old house to get stitched up. Later that week we drove in to Conway to watch the landing on the moon from some TV shop. Lots of great memories.
I grew up in Lincoln. In the 1950’s our Sunday afternoon drive was to see how far the road had progressed.
Hello Yankee magazine Ppl. I just celebrated my 63rd Birthday. Could you Ppl please help if you can. My Father is from Bristol, NH. I recall a family ride on the Kancamagus highway waaaaay back when it was a dirt road Could you find out when the Kancamagus highway was paved. My recollection is late 50s to early 60s. Thanks
We were up there, Saturday, the 14th, and it was so crowded we turned around. It took an hour to go 5 miles. We will go again in November and usually see some snow. very pretty
If people would looked at maps there would be less traffic. Everyone seems to just head for the outlets. They seem oblivious to the beauty of the trails. Taking a little hike instead of sitting in your car taking pictures you would see the beauty of the mountains. Also remember not to litter. There are many times there is little to no traffic. From Memorial Day to Columbus Day is the busiest. Appreciate the White Mountains. From one day to the next is never the same. There will always be disagreements on how things are named.
Most New Hampshire folks pronounce Kankamagus as Kankamangus. Wrong but determined and not pleased by correction!
Same here
yup. we all pronounced it kankamangus. grew up in NH.
Same in VT
it’s maw gus it’s BEAUTIFUL !!! no matter the “proper”ponunceation, Being a direct decendant of the Pennecooks , I’m told , most times I wish they’d teach classes, in local “public” tax payer, supported schools, of Native Tribes, proper spelling and pronunciation, of native American ,customs and such.
I grew up in Maine and spent every summer camping at Eastern Slopes in North Conway, NH. Every summer included at least one trip to the river we called the Kang-a-mang-us (of course with a Maine accent!). The highlight was sliding down the swift current (when there was one), over the waterfall (which seemed huge back then), and into the crystal cold water. Ahhh! Alrhough it’s been 50 years . . . I remember it like it was yesterday! I’ve never heard the story behind the name and never knew we were pronouncing it wrong all those years! I don’t think I’ll change, but Thank you!
Stay a night or two at “Wilderness Cabins” which is on the “Bear Notch Extension” to Bartlett. Moose, Bear and smaller critters abound. A great place to re-charge your batteries!
My wife Marilyn and I drove our 1957 Cadillac convertible up from Arkansas to drive the ‘Kanc’. Was an awesome ride through one of the most scenic roadways we have been on. We caught the foliage right at the peak and enjoyed every mile. One suggestion: Use some of the $5.00 parking fees to clean up the restrooms.
This is the most beautiful drive to take. A must if you want to see the foliage.
I worked on the State Survey Crew doing the preliminary survey for the ” Kanc”from 1958 and 1959. We worked on snow shoes during the winter in temps -40 degrees heat, humidity and black flies in spring and summer. All computations were done with paper and pencil (no pocket calculators in those days).
That’s fascinating!! Thank you…
We traveled the Kanc when our children were small (they’re now in their 50’s) . We stopped along the way to play in the icy cold waters. What fun. We talk of our New England trip often.
i fish the k when i was a kid in the late 50t best trout ever
My Dad and I traveled the Kank when it was not yet paved, probably in the late 50s or early 60s. It remains to this day my favorite travel memory. Breathtaking beauty!
Kankamagus and his warriors burned 6 houses and destroyed two mills in a sneak attack in the middle of the night on June 28, 1689, killing 23 white settlers (including a 2 year old child whom had her head “dashed against the stairs”), and carried off 29 into captivity including several women and children. So let’s not pretend that Kankamagus was some innocent hero, maybe present the whole history.
tsk tsk… and the white soldiers did nothing to the Indians prior to dragging them in chains to Boston? Let’s not pretend that white soldiers were so innocent in the ways we went about getting things done either.
Have visited and traveled the kank almost every year since the late 60’s in all seasons and all weather. Never two trips alike.Never can get enough. Have seen many changes, some good and some not so good.
How about editing your article for the correct information or tell us where did you find the one listed in the article. “Most commonly people pronounce Kancamagus as “Kanc-ah-mangas” or “Kang-ah-mangus”.”
Hi Nancy. This article was first published in Yankee in 1985 and appears here verbatim. I would like to help but I am not sure where your quoted text comes from since it is not from the article. The author says it should be pronounced “Kan-kuh-MOG-us.”
She must be from Mass. I’ve pronounced it as the author wrote my entire life, as did my ancestors before me who are all from Conway; they pronounce their last name Smith. 🙂
Yes Nancy, many people do pronounce it as “Kanc-ah-mangas” or “Kang-ah-mangus”. But we in Northern NH take note of those pronunciations, and try to set the record straight.
Born and raised in Northern NH on Rt 112 in Bath and worked at Loon Mountain for 6 years. Everyone I grew up with and worked with pronounce it “Kanc-ah-mangas”. So I have to agree with Nancy. That was the first thing I thought when I saw the pronunciation.
Michael, I was also born (1944) and raised in Northern N.H. and always heard it pronounced as you stated. Another thing I’ve noticed is it being called the “Kanc.” Never heard anybody in Lancaster call it that.
Hey, When was the last time the ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ predicted an “easy” winter, with less snow and milder temperatures. Point being, we all make mistakes…hahaha.
32 miles of mountain wilderness filled with the creatures of the night! An enchanted land filled with mystery and adventure behind every twist and turn, tree, and shadow!
I too have a romance for the Canc. I was great friends with Marilyn Boutwell local historian for Passaconnaway, and English Professor at Brooklyn College Ny, also auxilliary police officer NY. You see Marilyn was born in a cabin in Passaconnaway, originally built in the early eighteen hundreds She also worked at Totem Pole Park as security officer a gated community I also worked with her. She was a absolute great friend we had great times eating lobsters ,steamers and wine with my black lab buddy. I cherish these memories as she has passed on, she definitely made her mark in history!!!
Well after all these years, come to find out i been pronouncing it incorrectly. Have been camping and hiking the Kanc since i got out of the military in 1991 and have lived here since 2016. Always have been attracted to the White Mountains and its beauty.
I have explored the road by car and motorcycle. The best way was by motorcycle because it gave you a much better way to see all that is around you. I haven’t been over it in recent years but it is on my bucket list for the very near future.
As a child of the 60-70’s my family would camp along the Kanc way before it was paved and had campgrounds. You could just pull over make camp anywhere. My family were pioneers of the camping industry in NH and I drive over it any chance I get to think back of some great times hiking and camping with my family who are no longer with us. It’s a spectacular drive anytime of year!
Drove the Kank three times between October 2-4, 2019. Colors were gorgeous and there was minimal traffic each time, although it was raining sometimes. A road I’m not going to forget…
Remember driving unpaved road after Loon mtn. Helicopters supplying fire towers near the pass. Also remember a 100 car backup because of a whiteout when lead car got stuck. Many years of beautiful leaves on way to Fryeburg fair.
Drove the Kanc last Oct (2019) with some of my siblings. A mini van full of geezers from Utah and the repeated phrase over the entire drive was “Aren’t we blessed! Beautiful in the rain with the colors!
A car full of Haverhill, MA high school students drove up the east end, back in 1947. We got up about a half a mile, before the dirt road ended.
I saw my image which came from the western end of the “Kanc” (which is much easier to say) You can find this view (the bridge up the river) by standing on the bridge in the afternoon so you aren’t shooting into the sun. There is a pull off for the Lincoln Woods Visitor center just past this and from there you can walk the trails all through that area.
Jeff Foliage
Thanks for sharing that helpful location info, Jeff! And for taking this beautiful photo!
The picture looks like the swinging bridge that is just past the Notchland on 302 in Harts Location, NH
I enjoyed every post. Had a small house in Thornton from 2000 for skiing and summer vacations and weekends. Retired there in 2013 until Novembet 2019. Miss the area and sights just taking rides and hikes and Waterville skiing. Thank you for this article and all the posts, I love Yankee Magazine!❤????????
Camped at Jigger Johnson in 1969, when an older gentleman at the entrance took my few dollars for a campsite. Drove to Lincoln, where I got a hamburger at a little place where you had to stand in line to order. The changes since that time are amazing.
I drove it when it was just a dirt road in the late 50s.
About 1966 we of Boy Scout troop 123 in New Boston hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail from one side of the area to the other-I think it was 6-8 miles. We crossed a footbridge near our destination. It was over the Pemigewasset River. I went down and drank clean water from that river. Out here in Washington State few streams are potable-we have Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and several other organisms that will teach you not to drink any more! It’s even bad to swim in ponds with many ducks-Swimmer’s itch. A tiny critter in water droplets will seek shelter from drying out by burrowing into your skin-so we’re told to dry off thoroughly after leaving the water.
In the 50’s, I remember as a child the road was not paved and it was scary in some spots. Also my Dad would fish in the Lower Falls and he would bring us there for swimming. Back then there were hardly any people there. Later years when my husband and I took our daughter, it was overflowing with people.
I remember meeting friends in their VW camper when I was eighteen or so and hiking the Appalachain Trail from NW CT thru MA up to Vt and hitchhiking to the Kanc. We picked wild raspberries on the side of the road and made raspberry pancakes for breakfast at our campsite. What a beautiful memory and time. That was over forty years ago and all I remember are those delicious pancakes and being surrounded by nothing but greenery.
We just returned back to Alabama after 10 days in the North Eastern States. After traveling through Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire was my all time favorite place to see. We traveled through it three times. Words cannot express the sheer beauty of this mountainous area. The colors were vibrant and you just did not want to leave the area. It is a true reminder of God’s gift to us to enjoy. I believe this is just a hint of how beautiful Heaven will be.
Drove it a couple times and hiked in that area too.
Many memorable times in the Kanc! One in particular, sometime in the 70’s. A get-a-way weekend for my Feb birthday. Sign at the beginning (Lincoln) said “Road to Conway Open.” Open in lighted green letters. By the time we got to the pass, the snow was heavily coming down. As I drove, no longer could I see the yellow line on the pavement. Scary thought….Is this where we spend the night in a snowdrift? (All I had was a can of tuna fish and loaf of bread. Lol)
Fortunately we met the big V-plow that just opened up the road from Conway. So, if you travel and the open sign is in green, still check the weather report and carry extra warm clothes and blankets, just in case.
I have driven the Kanc many, many times starting back in the early 80s when I lived in RI. Now, living in southern NH for the past 35 years has given me more opportunities to ride it. Just about any time of year is a great time to visit but especially in the fall when you can see daily changes in the colors (and even morning to evening). If I am up for a few days, I will usually drive it several times and even several times in one day (morning and evening). Yes, at times, in October, the road is congested but traveling at a slower speed allows you to take in even more of the colors and landscape; of course, it is best to avoid the weekends to avoid excessive delays. As I am about 1-1/2 hours south, I don’t hesitate to make a day trip heading up I-93, across the Kanc and then south to cut across northern Winnipesaukee heading either down the eastern or western edge of the lake. Last year, I was up at Loon for two days in October and ran the Kanc each day stopping to enjoy the foliage to take pictures. When I got home Thursday night, I decided to take a day trip Friday because the colors were so spectacular. Often when I travel on business returning to Manchester airport, I will have run across folks coming to visit and I always make a map on a napkin to let them know the Kanc “is a must”! And while you are there, you should also pass through Franconia Notch; while the Old Man in the Mountain isn’t with us anymore, it is still another great place to ride if you are already just down the street. So, yes, it is a great ride that everyone should take at least once – no doubt about it.
In August around 2008, three of us traveled from Groton Ct to Conway NH on our Motorcycles, 2 full dressed 2000cc Kawasakis & a 1000cc Honda sport bike, especially to travel the Kanc. We stayed in a motel in Conway and rode the Kanc twice a day for 3 days. Our turnaround was in Lincoln NH. We met & chatted with dozens of like minded bikers at scenic overlooks. Absolutely one of the best highway rides I’ve been on. There is a switchback that you absolutely must be on your toes to navigate even at the posted speed limit. Highway maintenance was top notch & lanes were well painted. Traffic was thin enough to make it a most memorable ride. There was an ice cold pond just after turning from the Kanc toward Conway where we dipped in our skivvies on the way back to the motel.