from the Pinkham B Road

to Horton Center!

2005

Spirit Lodge

in Spirit Lodge 2005

2005 This shelter is named after Rev. Loring "Chuck" Chase who was a long-time friend and colleague of Dr. Horton. He brought youth from the Connecticut Congregational Churches in the late 1940's up to Pine Mountain each summer to clear trails. Bruce Beckley of Amherst, NH was one of those youth who, almost 50 years later, helped the UCC church of Amherst, NH build this shelter. Bruce recommended naming it after Rev. Chase.

1948 The US Forestry Service used this fire tower until 1974, when it was no longer needed due to the emerging use of helicopters. It was destroyed with dynamite; however, the four concrete bases remain on the trail to Pinkham Ledges.

in 2005 Forest fires in the early 1900's cleared many trees that grew on top of Pine Mountain. Without that devastation for so many years, the top looks much different today.

Erected in 1948 by the Horton family, this marble bench was placed in memory of Dr. Horton's first wife at the edge of Pinkham Ledges -- her favorite place on Pine Mountain. The inscription on the back reads, "Carol Williams Horton, Daughter of the Class of 1885, Wellesley College"

Pieces retrieved in 2005 As a camper in the 1970's John Tostenson had been exploring the face of Pinkham Ledges when he saw something that looked like a gravestone in a crevice. Almost thirty years later as a Unit Leader, he and staff member, Devin Rowe, retrieved what they came to know as the pieces of Carol Horton's Memorial Bench, which has been destroyed by the harsh White Mountain winters.

This more permanent seat, in honor of Douglas Horton's first wife, replaced the marble bench that was destroyed by the elements.

2003 The Memorial Bench had stood approximately where the two people on the left in this photo are sitting.

2005