Kancamagus Highway

As far back as I can remember I was always fascinated at the name of this highway. The entrance is located here in Conway.

from http://www.kancamagushighway.com/history/

History of the Kancamagus Highway in NH The Kancamagus Highway is rich in history that dates back to the Indian Tribes of the 1600's. Along the Kancamagus Highway you will find informational postings about the area you are visiting, many times they will offer some history about the area you are in as well. The Kancamagus Highway started as two small town roads. One in Lincoln, NH and the other in Passaconaway. The road to Passaconaway was completed in the year 1837. 100 years later in 1937, these two town roads were extended in both directions, East and West from Passaconaway and from Lincoln and were connected. The Kancamagus Highway opened 22 years later to through traffic in 1959. The Kanc celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009 with a few special events. The mountains surrounding the Kancamagus Highway (and the Kanc itself) are named after some of the earliest and most notorious residents along the Kanc, like: Kancamagus Kancamagus "The Fearless One" was the grandson of Passaconaway. Passaconaway Passaconaway "Child of the Bear" was Kancamagus's grandfather. Passaconaway passed along his offers of peace to other tribes and united over 17 Indian tribes within central New England in 1627. This unification formed the later known Panacook Confederacy. Passaconaway ruled the Panacook Confederacy until he passed away in 1669. He turned over the Sagamon of the Confederacy to his son "Wonalancet." Wonalancet Wonalancet ruled the Confederacy until 1684 when Kancamagus became the 3rd and final Sagamon of the Panacook Confederacy. Kancamagus tried to keep his grandfather's dreams of peace for the confederacy but around 1690, the white Englishmen brought war and violence to the region. Kancamagus led the Panacook Confederacy and left the area heading North to the now Canadian border region of New Hampshire. Paugus Paugus "The Oak," was chief of the Pequawket Tribe along the Saco river in Conway, NH. Mt. Paugus can been seen in the South of the Kancamagus Highway, West of Mt. Chocorua. Chocorua Chocorua (who is believed to be chief of the Ossipee Tribe) was thought to have died at the peak of the now named "Mt. Chocorua." Mt. Chocorua can be seen in the South of the Kancamagus Highway, just East of Mt. Paugus. The town of Conway NH gets its name from Passaconaway. The town of Penacook NH gets its name from the Panacook Indians. Ossipee NH gets its name from the Ossipee Tribe. Mt. Chocorua in New Hampshire gets its name from Chocorua. And of course the Kancamagus Highway gets its name from Kancamagus, the grandson of Passaconaway. Many towns and mountains in New Hampshire are named after famous Indians and Indian tribes.