Bethlehem History

The Bethlehem Historical Society - they have a nice little museum outlining the town's history and an enthusiastic caretaker who will gladly give you a tour. They also had bicentennial copies of their town's history ($10) which proved an invaluable resource in the creation of this novel.

Here is a short history of the town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, taken from the opening page of the novel -

"For all its pomp and circumstance later on, the region that would eventually become known as Bethlehem, overlooking the Franconia and Presidential ranges of the wildly beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire, held little appeal for settlers. By 1787, things began to change. A few families – the Browns, the Warrens, and the Turners, became the first to take up the mantle and settle an unpredictable region beset by harsh winters. The families turned to the surrounding woods for their livelihood, finding wealth in the trees that provided lumber, and from that moment, Bethlehem was born. More people began to arrive and a town charter established, which some claimed occurred on December 25th, further substantiating the name of Bethlehem. After the Civil War, when visitors sought a respite from city life, guest houses and hotels began making their appearance in town. The visitors claimed that Bethlehem's place on a hill overlooking the mountain ranges provided for healthy air. Others sought its beauty and simple living. Late in the 19th century, the annual Coaching Parade that showcased coaches arrayed in ribbons and other decorations, brought even more visitors to the town proper. Thus was born the vacationer’s paradise to revive the soul and spirit and provide enjoyment to all who came."