Local author releases book on Pemigewasset Valley history

MEREDITH — Meredith author Daniel Heyduk, known for his books 'Meredith Chronicles' and 'Stories in the History of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region,' recently finished a new book about the history of the Pemigewasset Valley, from Franklin to Bethlehem, including Franconia Notch. This is the first book to cover the entire valley, with its farms, industries, log drives, covered bridges, railroads, hotels, storms, and floods.

Native Americans traveled the corridors of the Pemigewasset River Valley for thousands of years, followed by hostile raiders of the Indian Wars, and then surveyors and settlers. Farms stretched from stream banks to high slopes, and dams harnessed its power. Loggers, tourists and conservationists competed for resources, while artists captured its landscape. Born on the slopes of the White Mountains, the Pemigewasset River is fed by many streams.

Heyduk wrote the Passing Time history column in the Meredith News, and has worked with historical societies, libraries and museums to gather material for this book. He has included history written by the valley’s own people, as well as historic photographs. The book was released on Amazon.com, and is coming soon to local bookstores.