The Old Man of the Valley
The Old Man of the Valley in Shelburne NH is New Hampshire's replacement for the Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia Notch.
Shelburne's venerable graybeard is more the likeness of a man than any other natural rock formation I have ever seen. His famous cousin, The Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia Notch, met his demise in a 2003 fall (some say in a last ditch effort to plug the notch and stem the tide of flatlanders invading the North Country via I-93).
The Old Man of the Valley continues the tradition as the current Man of the Mountains. His steadfast visage and stiff upper lip remain firmly rooted to this granite country.
Where is the Old Man of the Valley?
The Old Man of the Valley is located along Route 2 in Shelburne NH, almost within a stones throw of the Maine state line. Located just off the highway, the old fellow can easily be visited via a walk down a very short trail in the forest.
They Still Make Men in the White Mountains
An interesting feature of the Old Man of the Valley is that he stands upon a large pedestal rock, the better to show off this wonderful work of nature in honor of mankind. His stern determined expression contains the wisdom of the ages.
Daniel Webster, a New Hampshire native, wrote: "Men hang out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch, and the dentist hangs out a gold tooth; but up in the Mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there He makes men."
In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the word is out. Here they still make men.
A Man of the Ages
The ancient man of the valley has been a fixture in these mountains much longer than the Notch version was. Placed upon his pedestal as the last glacier melted in the valley thousands of years ago, this vernerable denizen took up his current residence where he has remained ever since.
The Old Man of the Valley's remarkable likeness must have been easily seen by roaming bands of hunter gatherers as they made their way along the nearby Androscoggin River in what was then a treeless landscape. One can imagine the delight of these Native Americans as they discovered this likeness of themselves in stone on the grassy tundra as they hunted caribou or fished the nearby Androscoggin River.
Gradually came the forests. The last of the caribou, musk ox and mastadon. In came the European explorers, the adventurers, the settlers, loggers, farmers, and railroaders. The highway, the mills, and the tourists. Through the centuries the Old Man of the Valley has witnessed it all. He will still be there when you and are are dust.
The Elder of the Mountains
Today the Old Man of the Valley stands in quiet solitude in a beautiful hardwood forest. Through the centuries he has seen much change and many things come and go.
The stone man is easily approachable and you are always welcome to stop by for a visit where he will meet you eye to eye on even ground. His ancient lichen covered countenance, wrinkled with time and wisdom, speaks volumes on the natural and human history of the area. As the elder citizen of the mountains north of the notches, we can do well to listen to his tale.