In 1900, Rev. John E. Johnson published “The Boa Constrictor of the White Mountains”—a fiery exposé warning that the New Hampshire Land Company posed an existential threat to the region’s forests, farms, and mills. Calling the corporation “a boa constrictor” determined “to depopulate and deforest” vast tracts of the White Mountains, Johnson argued that unchecked land speculation and aggressive timbering would destroy not only the natural landscape but also the agricultural and manufacturing backbone of New Hampshire. His impassioned writing, first delivered as a pamphlet in North Woodstock on July 4, 1900, helped fuel the growing public outcry that would ultimately lead to national forest protection in the Northeast—and, eventually, the passage of the Weeks Act.

In the Summer ’88 issue of North Country Times, “Roger Harrington Personifies Lincoln’s Blending of Old and New” captures the remarkable transformation of Lincoln’s mill complex into the Millfront Marketplace—and the unique role of Roger Harrington in preserving its past. As Lincoln Mill Associates redeveloped the dormant paper mills into shops, arts spaces, and community amenities, Harrington—born and raised in Lincoln and a mill worker since 1957—became the bridge between eras. His deep knowledge of the mill’s equipment, traditions, and culture guided the repurposing of historic tools, machinery, and even railroad artifacts into functional and decorative features throughout the Marketplace. The article paints Harrington not only as a longtime steward of the old Franconia Paper Company, but also as the living historian ensuring that Lincoln’s industrial heritage remains visible and meaningful amid the town’s modern revitalization.

A rare 1893 Atlantic Monthly article warning of White Mountain deforestation, highlighting early conservation efforts in the Upper Pemigewasset Valley of New Hampshire.