New Hampshire’s peaks once echoed with the presence of colonial-era sanctuaries—grand lodges, hidden estates, and rustic retreats that blended comfort with the wild. These places, perched in valleys and ridges, offered shelter to governors, timber barons, and vacationing elites alike. They bore witness to changing architectural styles, rising tourism, and the deep-rooted connection between people and mountains. But storms, fires, isolation, and time eventually overtook them. Today, many are gone—replaced by forest, ruins, or memory. What remains is their history, still whispered through pines and printed in preservation records. These 15 retreats no longer stand, but their stories remain foundational to New Hampshire’s highland heritage.

1. Sandwich Retreat Homes (Late 1800s, Carroll County)

The town of Sandwich, chartered in 1763, became a quiet magnet for artists, naturalists, and summer residents during the late 19th century. Its forested slopes and views of the Sandwich Range inspired the building of refined but rustic retreats tucked into the hillsides. These estates, mostly privately built, faded over time due to seasonal abandonment, changing ownership, and economic hardship. Fires, storms, and the slow march of the forest reclaimed many of them. While Sandwich remains a vibrant town with preserved charm, most of its early summer homes are long gone—forgotten by maps, but not by the land that once embraced them.

2. Whitefield Mountain View Hotel (1860s, Whitefield)

The Whitefield Mountain View Hotel was once the heart of tourism in Whitefield, New Hampshire, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Built in the 1860s, this grand hotel became a popular summer retreat for affluent families looking to escape the heat of the cities. Featuring large porches, elegant rooms, and a lively social atmosphere, it catered to the elite who enjoyed the serene beauty of the White Mountains. However, as transportation methods evolved and competition increased, the hotel began to decline. By the 1920s, it closed its doors and was eventually demolished, its place now marked only by the natural beauty of the area.

3. The Notch House (1830s, Hart’s Location)

The Notch House was a beloved mountain retreat located in Hart’s Location, nestled at the foot of the White Mountains. Originally built in the 1830s as a small inn, it expanded throughout the century to accommodate travelers seeking adventure and fresh air in the mountains. Known for its picturesque setting and cozy atmosphere, it was a key stop for those exploring the region’s natural wonders. However, with the rise of automobile tourism and changing travel preferences, the inn became less profitable and eventually closed in the early 20th century. By the mid-1900s, the structure was abandoned, and its foundations were swallowed by the surrounding forest.

4. Fabyan House (1873, Bretton Woods)

The Fabyan House opened in 1873 near the Mount Washington Hotel, built by entrepreneur Sylvester Marsh of Cog Railway fame. It catered to Boston and New York elites escaping urban summers. Featuring a ballroom, billiards room, and wraparound porches, the hotel embodied Gilded Age elegance. But by the mid-20th century, tourism had changed, and the hotel fell into decline. A fire in 1951 destroyed the building completely. Only subtle stone outlines and road names remain to mark its place. Once a destination for high society, the Fabyan House is now a footnote in the forest—a reminder of grandeur erased by flame.

5. Kearsarge House (1872, North Conway)

The Kearsarge House, built in 1872 in North Conway, was one of the region’s most renowned hotels, attracting wealthy guests who visited to enjoy the stunning views of the White Mountains. The hotel featured a spacious dining hall, grand rooms, and an expansive veranda that allowed guests to take in the majestic landscape. It was a destination for social gatherings and relaxation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tragically, on October 18, 1917, a devastating fire consumed the hotel, leaving only memories of its once-grand presence. Today, a modern inn near the site serves as a tribute to the hotel’s legacy.

6. The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel (1875, Dixville Notch)

The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, located in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, opened in 1875 as a grand hotel and ski resort. Offering a mix of luxury and adventure, the resort was a popular destination for the affluent, who enjoyed skiing, hiking, and relaxing in the elegant surroundings of the White Mountains. For over a century, it thrived, drawing vacationers from across the nation. However, in 2011, the resort closed, marking the end of an era. Despite efforts to redevelop the property, the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel remains a ghost of its former self, its grand halls and mountain views now largely abandoned.

7. Redstone Quarry Houses (1880s, Conway)

Redstone, a granite quarry town near Conway, flourished in the late 1800s. Along with worker housing, it included several grand homes for company managers and visiting investors. Nestled against Rattlesnake Mountain, the village had stunning views and stately architecture—especially the Redstone Inn. But as demand for stone declined, operations ceased, and the community faded. By the 1950s, most homes were either demolished or abandoned. Forest growth and development erased many traces. Today, hiking trails cross the quarry’s edge, where mansions once overlooked mountain and mill. The Redstone retreat homes were swallowed as the granite they once carved lost its shine.

8. Profile House (1853, Franconia Notch)

The Profile House opened in 1853 at the base of Cannon Mountain, named after the nearby Old Man of the Mountain rock formation. Over time, it expanded into a sprawling resort complex with its own rail stop, bowling alley, and farm. Its popularity helped define New Hampshire as a destination for elite leisure. But on August 14, 1923, a devastating fire reduced it to ash. Nothing was rebuilt. Today, the site is part of Franconia Notch State Park, and the only remains are scattered bricks and the old train depot.

9. Mount Pleasant House (1875, Carroll)

Constructed in 1875 in Carroll, the Mount Pleasant House was a grand resort hotel that catered to tourists seeking the serenity of the White Mountains. Known for its elegant architecture and panoramic views, it became a popular destination during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, like many of its contemporaries, the hotel faced declining patronage and was eventually demolished. Today, only historical records and photographs preserve the memory of this once-prominent establishment.​

10. Beech Hill (1902, Dublin)

The Beech Hill estate in Dublin once featured a Georgian Revival mansion that towered above the Monadnock Region. Built in the early 20th century, it served as a summer home for wealthy Bostonians. Though it survived into the post-war era, shifting economic realities and the costs of upkeep led to its sale and eventual subdivision. The mansion itself remains in private hands, but most of the estate’s land has become conservation property with hiking trails. The estate as a whole—a symbol of cultivated mountain life—has been largely dissolved. Beech Hill is now a ridge with a view, not a destination for fine summer living.

11. Kimball Castle (1897, Gilford)

Kimball Castle, completed in 1897, was a granite mansion overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. Built by railroad baron Benjamin Ames Kimball, the medieval-style estate once hosted lavish summer parties on its 300-acre grounds. After Kimball’s death, the property passed into disuse. Attempts at restoration failed, and by the mid-20th century the castle fell into decay. Its walls cracked, the roof collapsed, and vandals took what time didn’t. Though parts of the estate are now conservation land, the castle itself remains a haunting ruin—its grandeur stripped away, its hilltop now quiet and overgrown.

12. Union Hotel (1855, Wakefield)

Opened in 1855 in the village of Union, the Union Hotel served travelers arriving by train to the White Mountains. It expanded rapidly, offering a ballroom, fine dining, and a shaded retreat from summer heat. The building survived into the mid-20th century but ceased hotel operations in 1960. It briefly served as a VFW post before falling into disuse. Though now home to a community resource center, the building’s historic identity as a mountain escape has faded. Gone are the carriages, porters, and parlor music—replaced by modern utilities and new walls built atop old dreams.

13. The Mount Washington Summit House (1853, Mount Washington)

The original Summit House was built in 1853 atop Mount Washington, the tallest peak in New Hampshire. This resort was a center for alpine tourism and attracted wealthy travelers seeking the ultimate in mountain retreats. The hotel was accessible by the Mount Washington Cog Railway, providing an incredible experience to visitors. In 1908, the building was demolished and replaced with a new structure, but the original Summit House remains a historical marker of New Hampshire’s early mountain tourism era. The mountain remains a popular destination, but the house that once crowned its summit is gone, leaving only the story of its once-elevated glory.

14. Maplewood Hotel (1850s, Bethlehem)

The Maplewood Hotel, located in Bethlehem, was a prominent resort in the White Mountains during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It attracted wealthy guests seeking the tranquility and beauty of the mountains. The hotel featured elegant accommodations, extensive grounds, and recreational facilities. However, by the early 20th century, the rise of automobile travel and changing tourism patterns led to its decline. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1963, and today, the site has been revitalized as the Maplewood Country Club, with remnants of the original hotel still visible in the surrounding woods.

15. Crawford House (1850, Crawford Notch)

Originally built in 1850 and rebuilt after a fire in 1859, the Crawford House was the crown jewel of the White Mountains’ hotel scene. Its wide porches offered sweeping views of Crawford Notch, and at its height, the hotel accommodated over 400 guests. For decades, it welcomed elite travelers seeking mountain air and luxury. But as tourism shifted and upkeep costs soared, the resort declined. It closed in 1975 and was destroyed by fire in 1977. Today, only a few stone foundations remain beneath the trees. Where orchestras once played and guests once sipped tea, there is now only silence and forest.