Clark's Bears

Clark's Bears
Previously known as Clark's Trading Post
LocationLincoln, New Hampshire, U.S.
Coordinates44°2′54″N 71°41′8″W / 44.04833°N 71.68556°W / 44.04833; -71.68556
StatusOperating
Opened1928
OwnerPrivately owned
Slogan"Family Fun and Family Run Since 1928"
Operating seasonmid-May to mid-October
Attractions
TotalMerlin's Mystical Mansion
Water ridesAnaconda Escape, Blaster Boats
Other ridesWhite Mountain Central Railroad
ShowsSummer Circus
Websiteclarksbears.com

Clark's Bears, named Clark's Trading Post until 2019,[1][2] is a visitor attraction in Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States, in the White Mountains. It is known for its trained bears[3] and for the White Mountain Central Railroad, a 30-minute, 2.5-mile (4.0 km) steam-powered train ride. The attraction is located along U.S. Route 3, one mile (1.6 km) north of the village of North Woodstock and 9 miles (14 km) south of Franconia Notch.

History

Entrance in 2011, when still known as Clark's Trading Post

The property opened as a roadside stand in 1928 known as "Ed Clark's Eskimo Sled Dog Ranch", selling souvenirs and allowing visitors to view Florence and Ed Clark's Labrador sled dogs.[3] The Clarks purchased their first black bear in 1931 and used it to attract tourists.[4] The Clarks' sons, Edward and Murray, began training the bears in 1949 and created a bear show.[4]

In the 1950s, the Clark brothers began salvaging old steam locomotives and displaying them at the Trading Post. This led to the construction of the White Mountain Central Railroad, a purpose-built tourist railroad with a standard-gauge track. Construction on the railroad began in 1955 and the first train ride was on July 30, 1958.[5]

The railroad includes a 1904 Howe truss covered bridge that was originally located in East Montpelier, Vermont, where it spanned the Winooski River and carried trains for the Montpelier and Barre Railroad.[6] The bridge was purchased by the Clark brothers and dismantled in 1964,[7] then moved and reassembled to span the Pemigewasset River near the Trading Post.[8]

The current train ride is powered during most of the season by a 1920 Climax steam locomotive, and mid-weeks during fall foliage season by a 1943 GE 65-ton switcher (diesel powered). The 30-minute train ride includes an appearance by a character known as the Wolfman, presented as a wild prospector protecting his unobtainium mine by harassing the train passengers.[9]

Museums

Avery's Garage at Clark's

Clark's Bears includes several museums:

  • Americana Museum – collections of American historic items including steam and gas engines, early household appliances, advertising and products
  • 1884 Pemigewasset Hook and Ladder Fire Station – horse-drawn fire engines, wagons and firefighting equipment
  • Clark History Museum – History of Clark's Trading Post and the Clark family
  • Florence Murray Museum – includes antique games, guns, swords, souvenir china, typewriters, railroad memorabilia
  • Avery's Garage – a replica gas station with early motoring memorabilia, vintage motorcycles and antique automobiles

See also

Other locations with historic trains in a non-historic setting:

References

  1. ^ Bailey, Kathleen D. (July 28, 2019). "Clark's Bears: The side shows may change, but the bears remain". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  2. ^ Lessels, Alan (July 28, 2019). "Clark's has everything and something for everyone". The Boston Globe. p. M6. Retrieved June 18, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Andrew Burmon (Oct 12, 2012). "Clark's Trading Post's Black Bears Help Keep a Roadside Tradition Alive". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "History & News to Note". clarksbears.com. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "WMCRR Steam Train in NH USA - Railroad History". whitemountaincentralrr.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved 2011-11-04 – via Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ Jamele, Joe (January 29, 1964). "Covered Bridge Being Moved From E. Montpelier To N. H." The Times-Argus. Barre, Vermont. p. 7. Retrieved June 18, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Covered Bridge In Montpelier Being Dismantled". The Burlington Free Press. AP. February 3, 1964. p. 13. Retrieved June 18, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Take a steam-powered journey through history, but beware of the Wolfman!". clarksbears.com. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  9. ^ Asmar, Melanie (August 8, 2005). "Life of Wolfman". Concord Monitor. Concord, New Hampshire. p. 1. Retrieved June 18, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
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