Page 104 - John Anderson

&KDSWHU:KLWH0RXQWDLQVRI1HZ+DPSVKLUH

Sylvester Marsh (builder of the Cog Railway on Mt. Washington) was a
major stockholder. In 1876, one year after the P&O RR was
completed; the BC&M RR extended its line from Fabyan to the base
of the Cog Railway.

Another important pioneer in the White
Mountains is Dr. Samuel Bemis who built
the granite mansion that still stands along
modern day Rt. 302.
He also owned thousands of acres of land
in Crawford Notch and Abel Crawford’s old
Tavern, which was not in operation at the
time. Bemis was a believer in railroads.
His private papers show that he owned
stock in several. He sold the Portland and
Ogdensburg the right-of-way for their
railroad through his land for $1.00 and he
allowed construction crews to live in the old
Crawford Tavern. Unfortunately, damage to the building by the
workmen was substantial and caused it eventually to be torn down.
Bemis required that the railroad build a station at his home and they
did. That station was known, at various times, as Notchland or Bemis
Station.
Bemis was a man who kept detailed records of his activities and
there are many bills and invoices relating to building his mansion. His
files include the names of the workmen who did the stone work and
how much they were paid. The files contain invoices for the building
supplies he purchased: paint, doors, windows, nails, tools and more.

A full telling of the Samuel Bemis story could fill a book. In addition to
watchmaker, dentist, and daguerreotypist, his list of
accomplishments is long. He was an inquiring scientist and his
letters show that he contributed specimens to scientific associations.
He helped the state geologist gather information regarding crops and
won awards in Boston. In addition, he explored and fished extensively
in the area and experimented with stocking trout in the Lakes of The
Clouds on Mt. Washington in 1838.

92