Kancamagus Highway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kancamagus Highway, or "the Kank," is a 34.5 mi (55 km) long two-lane road that runs, east and west overall, through the White Mountains of New Hampshire in New England, United States. Often mispronounced, the correct pronunciation is Kancamawgus. Part of New Hampshire Route 112, it is generally considered one of the most scenic drives in the region, and is packed every October by traffic from "leaf-peepers" who come to view New England's famous autumn foliage. It has been designated a National Scenic Byway by the United States Department of Transportation under the name Kancamagus Scenic Byway. The twisting, rural highway is occasionally closed for short times during winter due to snow.
The highway, which opened in 1959 after two dead-end stretches of road were connected, runs from the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln, and along the Swift River from Kancamagus Pass (elevation 2,855 ft) to New Hampshire Route 16 in Albany. With the exception of brief stretches at either end, the road runs through the White Mountain National Forest.
Most Americans apparently find the -ag- syllable awkward in the name, and pronounce it with an internal rhyme: "Kang-kuh-mang-gus". The proper pronunciation of the name, however, is "Kank-ah-maw-gus".
The highway is named after Kancamagus ("The Fearless One"), who ruled as the third and final Sagamon of the Panacook Confederacy (sometimes spelled Penacook) of Native American tribes in what is now southern New Hampshire. In 1691, due to fighting with English settlers, he made the decision to move north into upper New Hampshire and what is now Quebec, Canada.
