Thursday Doors – Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, is a beautiful small town with a population of less than 600. Its name came from the area having a large grove of sugar maples.

In the late 1800’s, with its tremendous views of the White Mountains, Sugar Hill became a fashionable resort destination with visitors arriving by train in nearby Lisbon from Boston, New York and Philadelphia. The summer population would increase to nearly 10,000 filling its hotels to capacity.

In the mid 1890’s, Architect, Jonathan Withers of New York City, was commissioned to create a ‘building of simple design’ where the summer population could hold Episcopal services.

St. Matthew’s Chapel was dedicated in 1896 and is now open from May through October for services including weddings, baptisms, and memorial services. The Chapel has 15 rows of pews that hold 120-150 people and there is parking for 28 cars.

Until 1962, Sugar Hill was part of the town of Lisbon where my grandparents lived. My two uncles, Allen and John, who died in WWII, worked at the historic hotels during their high school years.

When you turn from Lisbon to head to Sugar Hill, the Old Man of the Mountain road marker was made by my great-uncle, Carl Austin. I also have a small one he created for his sister, Bertha, my grandmother.

If you ever visit Sugar Hill, plan to enjoy breakfast at Polly’s Pancakes which has been serving pancakes with real NH maple syrup since 1938.

Visiting Sugar Hill and checking out these beautiful doors felt a lot like going home, which is always a good thing. The oatmeal buttermilk pancakes with maple hurricane sauce wasn’t bad either. 🙂

Linked to Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors.