SUNCOOK VALLEY RAILROAD - The Blueberry Express

"Crystal Lake in Gilmanton is a glacially-formed lake. Rising at Gilmanton Iron Works (about three miles southwest of Alton Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee) as the outflow of Crystal Lake, the Suncook River traces a generally southwesterly course for about 25 miles through the towns of Barnstead, Pittsfield, Chichester and Epsom, after which it becomes the boundary between Allenstown and Pembroke before taking its final plunge into the Merrimack River at Suncook Village."

"From Barnstead to its confluence with the Merrimack, the Suncook Valley’s namesake stream passes through an idyllic panorama of grazing cattle and sheep, dairy farms, orchards and woodlands characteristic of the America of Currier and Ives. In the mid 19^th century, this rushing stream powered numerous grist and sawmills at its many falls. Elsewhere, it provided water to the fertile fields, meadows and croplands of the farms along its course. Blueberries, too, by some act of Providence, once grew in abundance nearly everywhere creating a wild resource readily convertible into a cash crop. Less obvious to the casual observer was a cottage industry supplied by shoe manufacturers of Lynn and Haverhill, Massachusetts, the materials and finished goods transported by cumbersome ox-drawn vehicles. Finally there was the summer business of catering to the parched citizens of Boston, New York and surrounding communities who came to the country to escape the heat of the cities. Many enjoyed the private farm homes while others patronized the numerous hostelries up and down the valley and others came to enjoy the many lakes and ponds.

With the advent of the Civil War aspirations to build a railroad were put on hold for a while. "The first regular passenger train departed Pittsfiled for Suncook at 8:45 AM on Monday December 6, 1869 arriving in Suncook at 10:20 AM.. (The spur to Center Barnstead was added later.) The Suncook Valley Branch of the Concord Railroad consisted of 17.37 miles of track and was constructed at a cost of $348,199.19. Train service varied from as few as a single mixed (passenger and freight) train a day in each direction to as many as four trains each way. Trains did not go directly to Concord. There was a loop between Concord and Manchester. The Suncook Branch actually intersected with the loop in Hookset where it joined the tracks on the loop.

The Suncook Valley Railroad was known to have "service with a heart." It became an integral part of life in the valley.

"The railroad was also the source of some good fun. Take for example the delivery of mail from the Pittsfield depot to the post office in town. At one time the contract for this service was held by Lance Avery. He kept the horse (named "Dolly") and express wagon used fro mail transfer from the train in a barn located on Cram Avenue near the depot. It was not unusual for Lance to hitch Dolly to the wagon and leave her standing in the driveway in anticipation fo the train’s arrival from Hookset and Suncook. When Dolly heard the train whistle down the valley, she would become restless and uneasy, anxious to get to the depot for she knew her duties well. Now it happened that the express agent at the time was Frank Hutchins who was something of a joker, especially it seems if a little fun could be had at someone else’s expense! Frank was well aware of Lance’s routine and how Dolly reacted to the sound of the whistle. Once in a while Frank would stick his head out the door at just the right moment and shout, "Come on Dolly!," at the top of his lungs. Thereupon Dolly would head off for the Depot unattended at a brisk trot. To the rear and on foot would come an exasperated Lance Avery in pursuit at a gallop shouting, "Whoa!" (And possible a few less printable epithets), all to "Hutch’s" great delight!"

"Naomi Avery relates an equally amusing prank played on some of the local bachelors who thought they had a week-end of female companionship lined up. Back at the turn of the century stops (by the train) were always made, and they were not all on the timetable. One such stop was at the crossing just below the "Bosco Bell." Now for those of you who do not remember the late 1800s and early 1900s......The "Bosco Bell" (now a convenience store / gas station on Rt. 28) was a hotel and/or boarding house type of establishment...for the convenience of guests, stops were made to pick up or leave guests.