BARTLETT HISTORIC SOCIETY PO Box 514 - 13 School St.
Bartlett, NH 03812
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Crawford Notch
section houses
Context & Railroad Succession
Railroad Era Notes:
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Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad (P&O)1867–1884 (charter); opened through Notch Aug 7–16, 1875 Built the line; 7 of the 8 Notch section houses are P&O construction.
Portland & Ogdensburg Railway (P&O Ry)1884–1888 Reorganized after bankruptcy.
Maine Central Railroad (MEC) — Mountain Division1888–1983 Leased P&O; Mountain Subdivision designation after 1925.
Boston & Maine / Guilford Transportation1983–1995 Final operators before abandonment.
Conway Scenic Railroad (CSR) 1995–present Heritage excursion service, Notch Train to Crawford Depot.
Researched by Scotty Mallett and Dave Eliason. Some photos on this page courtesy of Robert Girouard
Railroad Section Houses of the Maine Central and P & O Railroads through Crawford Notch
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It is generally known that there were three popularly known Section houses in Crawford Notch. However, when the Portland and Ogdensburg opened the line there were many more houses, often in sight of each other.
The dwelling most remembered is the famed Mt. Willard Section house. This fortress like building could be seen from US Route 302 along with Willey (pronounced willie not wylee) Brook Bridge, a double span deck girder bridge 104 feet long and 90 feet high at its highest point. The west end of the trestle was made of wood from 1875-1888. The entire bridge was replaced in 1905 with both spans of the bridge rolled out and the current new bridge being rolled in and the bridge reopened in 7 minutes!!!! and.......with no interruption in train service!!
This building was located 83.54 miles from Portland, ME. Built in 1888 for the James Mitchell family it boarded section men that would work the most difficult section of the mountain line from Mile 82.5 miles from Portland to just east of Crawford’s Station:
Section 129. In 1898 James Mitchell retired, at which time Joseph Monahan moved in as Section foreman until the summer of 1903, when Loring Evans and his wife Hattie set up housekeeping in the remote mountain dwelling. Loring was killed by accident in 1913 but Hattie stayed and boarded the section men until her retirement in 1941. In 1942 Hattie moved to one of her childrens residences in Maine where she died in 1954 at age 82,​
Before there were any section houses, rails, ties or trestles, there were the Anderson Brothers who originally conceived of building a railroad through Crawford Notch to connect Portland, Maine with Ogdensburg, New York. John Anderson was the visionary architectural engineer and Samuel served as the Company President. John reasoned that given the spectacular scenery, interest in the recent Willey Slide, existing and potential hotels and inns would all be major features that would attract tourists as well as the freight that needed transport. With all this as a selling point they quickly sold the idea to what would be the P&O Railroad and the brothers undertook the construction.
Beachwood - The Engineer's Cottage
In 19th‑century railroad records, Beechwood (often spelled Beachwood in captions) was:
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A railroad section house
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On the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad
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Located between the Willey House and Bemis Station
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Occupied by railroad personnel, including John F. Anderson, one of the engineers/contractors who worked the Crawford Notch line.
This editor came across this picture of the Beachwoods in Crawford Notch. Having never heard of it, I put it on our Facebook page to see if anyone had information. A couple of folks offered information that proved mostly accurate.
The Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad construction civil engineer who lived at "Beachwood" in Crawford Notch during construction was John Farwell Anderson and probably his brother Samuel.
​Key Details:
The Engineer: John F. Anderson (1823–1887) served as the Chief Engineer of the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad (P&O). He was responsible for the brilliant, highly challenging engineering required to carve the rail line right through the steep mountain pass of Crawford Notch during the 1870s.
The Residence: Mr Anderson built Beachwood as a section house, although it may not have been situated along the tracks. There is some speculation it was located on the north side of Rte 302 near the Gateway. (see photo below). It allowed him to stay close to his major infrastructure projects.
Legacy: His immense contributions to the region's geography and infrastructure were honored with the naming of Mount Anderson near Bemis in honor of the contractors who built the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad through the Notch in the 1870s — one of the most difficult railroad construction projects in New England. Further west, near the Mt Washington Hotel on Rte 302 - opposite the Stickney Chapel, is a plaque mounted on a stone, that honors him as well. I could not find a decent picture of it.
Sources: One reference given was the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources but this editor found nothing relevant there.
One Facebook user thinks the Beachwood house was not along the tracks, but across the valley of Dismal Pool, in the vicinity of today's overlooks on Rte 302. This photo with Dismal Pool in the foreground shows 2 buildings. It is speculated that one of these is Beachwood but there is no proof of that claim..
While there is confirmed detailed information about Willard, Willey and Sawyers River, some of the other section houses and stations have little or no historical information. The table below shows the name and status of each dwelling along the tracks and their time of existence. Aldrich House and Guay Place were just a half mile apart at mileposts 82.5 and 83. That would put them in the vicinity of the Mt Willard section house.
CLICK THE TABLE TO ENLARGE IT.
OK, Here's what you came for; The stations and section houses, going from east to west:
Sawyer River Station & Junction
Milepost74.8
Type: Agency station; junction with Sawyer River Railroad (logging)
RailroadP&O (section house built by P&O) → MEC
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Years Active1875–1954 (section house); MEC agency closed 1921; junction active 1877–c.1937
Section 128 / Bartlett district
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Notes: Junction point for the 8-mile Sawyer River Railroad (1877–c.1937), which served the company logging town of Livermore, NH. The SRR had its own brick engine house, general office, and yard at Livermore. Two surviving structures — the section men's car house and foreman's dwelling — remain as private properties today. Long sidings visible in early-20th-century photographs. The town of Livermore (150–200 residents at peak) was entirely served through this junction.
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Section Foremen: 1888–1891: George Rich; 1894–1902: John Stevens; 1902–1903: Leslie Smith; 1903–1905: George Murch; 1905–1911: Merville Murch; 1912–1927: John McCann; 1927–1954: Robert Gardner
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Fate: Station gone; section house site survives as private property; Sawyer River RR grade survives as gravel road and hiking trail; siding periodically used by CSR for maintenance staging.
Sawyer River Station and Junction of The Sawyer River Railroad to Livermore (the rails to the right)
Sawyer River Station
Section Houses on the way west through Crawford Notch
7 constructed by the P&O RR and 1 by the MEC.
Name and Miles from Portland:
*Sawyers River @ mile 74.8 (P&O)
Section Foreman-
1888-1891 George Rich
1894-1902 John Stevens
1902-1903 Leslie Smith
1903-1905 George Murch
1905-1911 Merville Murch
1912-1927 John McCann
1927-1954-Robert Gardner
Closed 1954
The Sawyer River dwelling was purchased by Robert "Tiger" Miller in 1956. When the highway bypass was built he moved the house to the other side of the tracks where it remains today. (2025). "Tiger" died at his "Whistle Stop" in August 1979. The house was then owned by Robert's son, Bob Jr, who lives in South Carolina and rents out the property. At this writing in 2025 I don't know who owns it now.
Frankenstein/Bemis Flag Stop
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Milepost~75.5–76.0 (at or near the Frankenstein Trestle, Hart's Location)
TypeFlag stop
Railroad P&O → MEC
Years Active 1875–c.1950s
Notes: Named for Godfrey N. Frankenstein (1820–1873), the German-born American artist who painted Crawford Notch. And for Dr. Samuel Bemis, the dentist who built what is today's Notchland Inn. The adjacent trestle — originally wrought iron (1875), rebuilt in steel 1893, strengthened 1930 and 1950 — is 520 ft long and 85 ft above the ravine floor. The Branch Line Society's NH station list confirms Frankenstein as a separate stop from Willey House and Crawford Notch. The trestle is now traversed by Conway Scenic's Notch Train. Historical marker (NH #0213) erected 2009.
Agents / Foremen: None confirmed; flag stop only
Fate: Stop discontinued; the trestle in active use by CSR
Dr. Samuel Bemis House and his flag stop. Below is Frankenstein Cliff and trestle.
1966: "Helper" engines on the Frankenstein Trestle, probably returning to Bartlett Station.
Carrigain Dwelling / Station
Milepost78.8
Also Known As"Willey House Post Office" (later designation); Carrigain Dwelling
Type Section dwelling; flag stop; Post Office
Railroad P&O
Years Active1875–1990 (razed)
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Notes: Located approximately one mile west of Sawyer River Station, near the junction where the Saco Valley Railroad (SVRR, incorporated April 1891) branched toward the logging town of Carrigain. The SVRR operated roughly 7 miles into the Cutts Grant; logging completed by Feb. 1, 1898, and the SVRR was discontinued. The MEC dwelling at MP 78.8 later served as a post office and was informally associated with the Willey House name. Bartlett History notes later occupants rebuilt by their son Bill King.
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Residents / Foremen: 1875–1894: unknown; 1894–1896: Fred Pingree; 1896–1940: Patrick McGee; 1941–1973: Peter King; 1973–1990: Private dwelling
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Fate: Razed 1990 and new structure built by King's son.
Carrigain Dwelling
Carrigain Station and Town. The "dwelling" was about a mile west of this scene.
Carrigain Dwelling @ mile 78.8 (later to become Willey house post office) (P&O)
1875-1894-?
1894-1896 Fred Pingree
1896-1940-Patrick McGee
1941-1973 Peter King
1973-1990 Private Dwelling
Razed 1990
The town of Carragain was established by the Saco Valley Lumber Company in 1892. It had several tenement buildings for the loggers and a school with twenty or so students. The Company had a store and its offices at the Carragain railroad station along with the post office. The town itself was located at the end of today's Camp Onion Road. By 1902 the logging operation was done and the workers all moved away. The school house was sold for $12.25, disassembled and removed. The post office was moved back to Willey House Station. Historical details of Carragain town are scant. Better results with Saco Valley Railroad.
Avalanche Flag Stop later Willey House Flag Stop
Milepost80.8
Also Known As Avalanche; original Willey House station
Type Flag stop / section dwelling
Railroad P&O
Years Active1875–1887
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Notes: The first station serving the Willey House area, opened with the line in 1875. Short-lived; replaced around 1878 by the more accessible Willey House stop slightly to the north (MP 80.82/80.9). The Kilburn Brothers stereoviews from the early 1870s–1880s document this structure beside what was then called Cow Brook (now Avalanche Brook). Structure included a section foreman's house, ice house, and section house. Foundation survives in the vegetation.
Foremen: 1875–1887: Anthony Swift
Fate: Closed 1887; replaced by Willey House flag stop; foundation survives.
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Willey House Flag Stop & Section Dwelling
Milepost80.82 (original); 80.90 (rebuilt, c.1878)
Type: Flag stop; section dwelling; Post Office; telegraph office; freight agency
Railroad P&O → MEC
Section: Section 128
Years Active: c.1878–1976 (railroad use); building survived to 1988
Notes: Two-story dwelling replacing the Avalanche flag stop. MEC timetables listed it as a telegraph point where carload freight could be handled and passenger tickets sold. Florence Monahan served as postmistress and telegraph operator from 1903; mail was caught and thrown via a catcher arm on passing trains. The Monahan family raised six daughters here. In 1927 an extra freight near Willey House had its boiler explode, killing the crew. Kilburn Brothers stereoviews document the structure prominently from the 1870s onward — your eBay browsing sessions captured multiple examples including views of the Mt. Willey slide area, the Willey Brook bridge approach, and the station in winter (Dane H.G. Malcolm / Dwight Smith Collection photographs).
Section Foremen & Agents: 1870–1883: Alfred Allen (foreman, resided at Crawford House); 1887–1903: William Burnell; 1903–1941: Joseph & Florence Monahan; 1943–1953: Joseph Burke; 1953–1965: Cornelius Griffin; 1965–1976: Wellman Rowell.
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Fate: Closed 1976; burned by the railroad 1988
*Avalanche flag stop @ mile 80.8 (P&O)
1875-1887 Anthony Swift
*Willey House flag stop @ mile 80.9 (replaced Avalanche)
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1870 - 1883 -Alfred Allen (Foreman, but Lived at Crawford House)
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1887-1903 William Burnell
1903-1941 - Joe & Florence Monahan
1943-1953-Joseph Burke
1953-1965 Cornelius Griffin
1965-1976- Wellman Rowell
Closed 1976
Burned by the Railroad 1988
Aldrige House @ mile 82.5(P&O)
1875-1894 Joseph Aldridge
Closed unknown
Guay Place @ mile 83 (P&O)
1875-1888
Forman Unknown
Joe & Florence Monahan.
Much has been written about the Evans Family who resided at the Mt Willard Section House yet we don't hear so much about others who raised their families next to the tracks. Joseph and Florence Monahan were one such couple who raised their six daughters at the Willie House Station Flagstop, a mile or so east of the Evans family.
Joseph Monahan became foreman of Section 129 in 1898 and took up residence at the Mt. Willard Section House upon James Mitchell's retirement. Joe was "filling in" for Loring Evans, who was away for a trackmen's strike. SEE THE ENTIRE MONAHAN STORY AT THIS LINK
The Monahan family - 1915
Back Row: Ethel, Agatha, Florence, Joe
Front Row: Hazel, Alyce, Dot and Gertrude
PLEASE NOTE; THIS WEBSITE IS OPTIMIZED FOR TABLET OR LAPTOPS, Content may be jumbled on a small phone screen...Sorry.
Willey House Station and flag stop through the years in various states of condition
Willey House Station also housed the post office and telegraph for Harts Location. The post office closed in 1974.
Their first early morning Presidential election was held here at 7:a.m. November 2, 1948
The first early morning Presidential election vote for Hart's Location was held here at 7:a.m. November 2, 1948. Left to right, Mrs Macomber, Town Clerk, Douglas Macomber, Joseph Burke, Preston King, Alice Burke and son Merle, Mrs Morey and George Morey. .
Willey House Station in its final years. By 1984, when these pictures were taken, it had declined to an irrecoverable condition. The railroad burned the building in 1988.
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A visitor today might still find the concrete foundation walls and bits of iron stuff laying about. The kitchen cook stove was "off in the woods" the last time I was there in 2004. But, since folks can rarely just leave stuff alone, it's probably gone by now. ("now" being 2019)
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Crawford Notch / Willey House Camps Passenger Stop
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Milepost~80.5–81.0 (near Willey House clearing)
Type: Seasonal passengers stop / platform
Railroad MEC → B&M
Years Active: 1922–c.1950s
Notes: After 1922, the Willey House clearing was leased to Donahue & Hamlin of Bartlett, who built a cabin colony of peeled spruce logs for vacationers (the "Birches" and "Willey House Camps" documented in your eBay RPPC browsing — multiple real photo postcards of the Birches and Willey House Camps appear in your July 31, 2026 browsing session). Trains made scheduled stops at or near the existing Willey House flag stop to serve the camp colony. The camps eventually reverted to state operation. RPPC cards from 1925 showing "Crawford Notch NH Willey House Camps" and "The Birches Crawford Notch" document the camp era.
Agents / Foremen: Same as Willey House dwelling (Florence Monahan, postmistress)
Fate: Stop discontinued with passenger service decline; state park site survives
Aldridge (Aldrich) House
Milepost82.5
Type Section dwelling
Railroad P&O
Years Active 1875–c.1894
Notes : One of seven section dwellings constructed by the P&O when the line opened. Located between the Willey House and the Guay Place, in the steepest section of the grade.
Foremen: 1875–c.1894: Joseph Aldridge
Fate: Closed c.1894; demolished; no traces known
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Guay Place
Milepost83.0
Type: Section dwelling
Railroad: P&O
Years Active: 1875–1888
Notes: One of the original P&O section houses, located just below the Mt. Willard section. Foreman's name is not recorded in surviving sources. The Monahan family is associated with this location in Bartlett History records after the initial occupant departed.
Foremen: 1875–1888: Unknown
Fate: Closed 1888; demolished
Mitchell Dwelling (The Foreman's Cottage)
Milepost84.0
Type Section dwelling (P&O)
Railroad P&O
Years Active 1875–1888
Notes: The original dwelling for James E. Mitchell and family before the MEC-built Mt. Willard Section House replaced it at MP 83.54 in 1888. Mitchell and family then moved into the new structure. This location is essentially the approach to the Great Cut / Gates of Crawford Notch.
Foremen: 1875–1888: James E. Mitchell
Fate: Removed when replaced by Mt. Willard Section House in 1888
The Foremans cottage (Mitchell House)
The Foremans Cottage was located on the big curve that was built of granite blocks on the side of Mt. Willard. James Mitchell, his family and section men were the only inhabitants of this dwelling. It was located at Mile Post 84 just about 1/4 mile west of the Mt.Willard Dwelling.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchells "cottage" was built under the cliffs of Mt. Willard and on occasion, rock slides came through the house. The P&O tried to solve the rock problem by chaining some rock together. Thus the area became known as "Chained Rock".
In 1887 after a horrifying night of rock slides, thunder, and lighting, Mr. Mitchell tenured his resignation.
The famed Mt. Willard dwelling was built for The Mitchell's so Mr. Mitchell would stay on. He accepted the offer and did not retire until 1899. In 1887 Mr & Mrs Mitchell, two sons and a daughter moved into the Mt Willard House.
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The "Foremans Cottage" was torn down in 1888.
The Foremans Cottage in 1875 with James Mitchell and his wife.
Mt. Willard Section House (most documented)
Milepost 83.54
TypeSection house (MEC-built, the only one of the 8 not built by P&O)
RailroadMEC (built 1888, replacing earlier Mitchell dwelling)
SectionSection 129
Years Active1888–1965 (railroad occupancy); standing until 1972
Notes: The most famous structure in Crawford Notch railroad history. "Fortress-like" building visible from Route 302, beside Willey Brook Bridge. Crews responsible for Section 129 — MP 82.5 to just east of Crawford Station, the most demanding section on the Mountain Division. Willey Brook Bridge (100 ft high, 400 ft long; both spans replaced in 7 minutes in 1905 without interrupting train service) is immediately adjacent. Loring Evans was killed in a yard accident at Crawford's in 1913; his wife Hattie remained and boarded section men until 1942 — nearly 40 years. Raymond W. Evans (their son) later built a detailed scale model of the house. Subject of Virginia C. Downs's book Life by the Tracks. Extensively documented in Kilburn Brothers stereoviews and your Beechwood/Beachwood eBay browsing sessions (the "Beechwood Engineers Home" stereoviews are related Crawford Notch railroad dwelling views). Foundation, memorial, and small garden survive at site.
Section Foremen: 1888–1898: James E. Mitchell; 1898–1903: Joseph Monahan; 1903–1941: Loring Evans (killed 1913) / Hattie Evans; 1944–1950: O. Douglas Macomber; 1951–1952: Quervis Strout; 1954–1962: Thomas Sweeney; 1963–1965: Wellman Rowell
Fate: Closed 1965; burned by railroad December 13, 1972 after chronic vandalism; foundation and monument survive
Agatha Monahan Wallace (near age 100? not sure.) She died only 2 days shy of her 103rd birthday on December 31, 2016.
Mt Willard Section House
Mt Willard @ 83.5(Maine Central)
1888-1898- James Mitchell
1898-1903-Joe Monahan family
1903-1941- Loring Evans Family
1944-1950-O. Douglas Macomber
1951-1952-Quervis Strout
1954-1962-Thomas Sweeney
1963-1965-Wellman Rowell
Closed 1965
Burned by the Railroad 1972
Mitchell Dwelling @ mile 84.0 (P & O)
1875-1888 James Mitchell
** If anyone can offer corrections to the dates and people listed, it would be of great help. All the names and dates above were taken by Scotty Mallett from the book “Harts Location” by Marion Varney
Mt Willard Section House with Hattie Evans and her children. Perhaps 1920. Their homestead was actually a cheerier place than this photo might suggest. Additional photos are up at the top of this page.
Editors Note: Complete biographies of all the folks mentioned in this article can be found at Marion L. Varney's book, "Hart's Location in Crawford Notch" - 1997
A Bartlett Historical Society newsletter featured the story of Hattie and the Evans Family. Read it here beginning on page 6.
Beachwood / "Engineer's Home"
Milepost~84.3–84.8 (approximate; within the Great Gorge / Great Cut zone) (MAYBE)
Type Railroad dwelling / engineer's resting place
Railroad P&O → MEC
Years Active 1870s
Notes: Documented in Kilburn Brothers stereo views as "Beachwood — Engineer's Home, Crawford Notch, NH" (also spelled Beechwood). This was a railroad-provided dwelling and the residence of the Anderson Brothers, the primary contractors who envisioned and built the railroad through the Notch. The variant spellings (Beachwood/Beechwood) appear on different Kilburn prints. (MAYBE) Located within or immediately below the Great Cut / Great Gorge, the most spectacular section approaching Crawford Depot. Exact milepost requires field confirmation against surviving stereo view landmarks. This editor has found no documented evidence of exactly where this building was located.
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Agents / Foremen: The Anderson brothers.
Fate: Vanished; no structure known to survive
Crawford Depot (Crawford's Station) (only survivor)
Milepost~85.2 (highest point on the Mountain Division)
Also Known As Crawford's; Crawford Station; Crawford Notch Station; Maine Central Passenger Railway Station
Type Full passenger depot; Post Office; freight station; telegraph office
Railroad P&O (original 1875 structure) → MEC (rebuilt 1891)
Years Active: 1875–1983 (railroad service); 1962 converted to gift shop; AMC visitors center from c.1995
Elevation1,900 ft ASL — highest depot on the Mountain Division
Architecture: Queen Anne style, 26×30 ft; octagonal corner turret; canted fireplace bay; stained glass; hip roof with sawn brackets; pent roof on three sides. MEC gave this station special attention because of its symbolic summit location.
Notes: Built by MEC in 1891, replacing the P&O original. Served the Crawford House hotel (rebuilt 1853, burned 1977 — AMC Highland Center now occupies that site). Station foreman's house (built 1887, burned 1972) was immediately adjacent. Pusher service operated from Bartlett (MP 73) to Crawford's, typically using Mallet compound #1203, later Mikados.
The summit ceremony of the P&O was held here August 7, 1875. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places April 29, 1982 (NRHP #82001672). Now the northern terminus of Conway Scenic Railroad's Notch Train. The 1887 station foreman's house shared Queen Anne architecture with the depot and burned in the same 1972 period as the Mt. Willard section house.
Known Agents / Station Foremen: Station agent records not fully digitized; the 1887 foreman's house indicates a named permanent agent through at least the 1887–1972 period
Fate: Standing — only Crawford Notch railroad structure still intact. Restored; AMC visitor center and Conway Scenic Railroad station
Crawford Station: February 22, 1910
Herb Chase - Crawford Station Agent - 1908
Herb Chase - Retired Station Agent - 1940
On August 17, 1888 the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad was leased to the Maine Central Railroad for 999 years. Included in the lease were all section Houses, Stations, Locomotives and Rolling stock as well as personnel.
You might be interested in the value assigned to the buildings and furnishings from Intervale thru Crawford Notch. Remember, these are 1888 prices and 1888 spelling!
Intervale
Passenger Station $100
Desk, Chair and Baggage Truck $30
Glen Station
Passenger Station and Freight House $500
Assorted Furniture $75
Bartlett
Station $1000
Freight House $150
Engine House (6 pits) $1000
Repair Shop $100
Woodshed $100
Tank House $200
Furniture, Stoves, desks, Freight truck, Passenger Truck $100
Coal Derrick $50
Sawyer’s River
Station Building $75
Bemis Brook
Section House $400
Avalanche
Section House $400
Tank House $200
Moor’s Brook (spelled Moor’s)
Old Section House $300
Mt. Willard
Section House $4000
Furniture, 1 room $50
Crawfords
Station $100
Ticket case, Desk, Stove and Baggage Barrow $55
Total Intervale to Crawfords $9,385
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The lease of the P&O was cancelled some 50 years later when the Maine Central bought the remaining shares.
Editor's Note: $9,385 in 1888 has the same purchasing power as about $330,000–$331,000 in 2026.
That figure comes directly from CPI-based inflation data showing that prices have risen 35.15× between 1888 and 2026
Source Material: Life by the Tracks, Virginia C. Downs - 1983
Hart's Location in Crawford Notch, Marion L. Varney - 1997
Scotty Mallett - Bartlett, NH railroad historian
Some Photos on this page, and elsewhere on this web-site, are part of the Raymond W. Evans collection now owned by Robert Girouard. We extend our gratitude for his permission to use them as part of this and other stories. - - Dave
1895 Railroad Division Roster
