America's Stonehenge - Salem, New Hampshire
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 50.585 W 071° 12.414
19T E 319658 N 4745752
America's Stonehenge in Salem, NH, is a sun observatory set on a low hill with stone markers aligned with important sunrise/sunset events, and has what appears to be a sacrificial table and other chambers.
Waymark Code: WM7F0T
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 10/16/2009
Views: 14
On a low hill in Salem, New Hampshire, may be the oldest structure built by humans in America. Currently, it has been named 'America's Stonehenge,' but in the past it also was known as 'Mystery Hill.' As the first name implies, the arrangement of stones on top of the hill suggests that it was used to observe the sun and moon at important points in the year, including the summer, equinox (spring and fall) and winter sunrise and sunsets, and other important holidays such as November 1 and May 1.
To reach the location (from the America's Stonehenge web site):
Take I-93 to exit 3. Follow Rt. 111 east for approximately 5 miles. Watch for our sign just past the North Salem Village Shops. Turn right at the Traffic lights the Gulf gas station should be on your left side at the intersection. Follow this road for 1 mile. Entrance is on the right.
Haverhill Road is windy and rural, so be on the lookout for the sign to the place. Signs from major roads are sometimes there, but don't rely on them.
The visitor center/gift shop is visible from the parking lot. After you pay the fee, you will see a short movie, which is well worth seeing as it introduces you to the site. You are also given a detailed four page flier that provides a self-guided tour. Immediately after exiting out the back door to the center, you are by a fenced in area where Alpaca are kept. There is a trail that is approximately .25 miles long that goes to the site. The site is on a rock ledge with stone structures built on it. There are chambers, cellars, a sacrificial table, a central observation deck (modern), stone walls in various configurations and lengths, and vertical stones marking important directions. You are guided through the inner portion with all the chambers and the table, then to the central platform where the sight lines radiate from, and then the path leads you to several of the vertical stones. The path then leads you back to the visitor center.
The pathway is not steep but it can be uneven at times. I saw people with canes traverse the area, but the ground can be tricky, especially if the ground is wet or covered in leaves.
The site is believed to be about 4,000 years old, based on past archeological digs. However, there is uncertainty in this figure. It is not known who actually built the structure. The self-guided tour provides some guesses, but not firm answers.
In the visitor center there are other artifacts to see, including an old canoe.
Come up, view the evidence, and make your own conclusions!
The "Official Tourism" URL link to the attraction: [Web Link]
The attraction’s own URL: [Web Link]
Hours of Operation:
Hours of Operation:
9am-5pm. Last admission is given promptly at 4pm.
Closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
Admission Prices:
Adults $9.50
Seniors(65+) $8.50
Ages 6-12 $6.50
Children 5 and Under Free
Approximate amount of time needed to fully experience the attraction: Up to 1 hour
Transportation options to the attraction: Personal Vehicle Only
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