Uncanoonuc Mountains

{{Short description|Mountain peaks in New Hampshire, US}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Uncanoonuc Mountains

| photo = Uncanoonuc Mountains from Rock Rimmon 20170917.jpg

| photo_caption = South Uncanoonuc (left) and North Uncanoonuc (right) as seen from Rock Rimmon in Manchester, NH.

| elevation = 1324 ft

| location = Goffstown, New Hampshire, U.S.

| coordinates = {{coord|42.9858|N|71.5978|W|type:mountain_scale:100000_region:US-NH|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

}}

The Uncanoonuc Mountains are two small mountain peaks in Goffstown, New Hampshire, United States. The north peak, the highest point in Goffstown, has an elevation of {{convert|1324|ft|m}} above sea level, and the south peak rises to {{convert|1321|ft|m}}.U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic map series, Pinardville quadrangle.

The name may be derived from the Massachusett language term {{Langnf||kuncannowet|breast|lang-name=Massachusett}}.{{Citation | last = Hamlin | first = George V. | title = The Uncanoonuc Mountains: Geology, Scenery, Casino, Railroad, and Views | place = Manchester, New Hampshire | publisher = Ruemely Press | year = 1913 | page = 6 | hdl = 2027/loc.ark:/13960/t9862ns6n?urlappend=%3Bseq=10 | url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/loc.ark:/13960/t9862ns6n?urlappend=%3Bseq=10 }} [https://archive.org/details/uncanoonucmounta00haml Alt URL]{{Citation | author = Manchester Historic Association | title = Manchester Historic Association Collections, v.1 1896-1899 | place = Manchester, New Hampshire | publisher = J. B. Clarke Company | year = 1899 | page = 184 | hdl = 2027/mdp.39015039511558?urlappend=%3Bseq=194 | url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015039511558?urlappend=%3Bseq=194 }} [https://archive.org/details/collections01manc Alt URL]

The area was developed in the early 1900s as a resort with a hotel and incline railway.Uncanoonuc Incline Railway, "Souvenir Views on and about Uncanoonuc Mountain" (1909). The brochure promoted the mountain as a place to build a summer cottage, stay at the hotel or gamble at the casino. There was also a trolley line. The mountains are still a good spot for hiking, snowshoeing, and scenic views of the nearby skyline of Manchester, as well as Mount Monadnock, Mount Kearsarge, and even, on a clear day, the faint skyline of Boston.

They were the site of a small ski operation in the 1930s and 1940s, served by the incline railway that went up the south peak. With three main trails from top to bottom, it was a popular ski destination until 1941, when the railway was damaged by a fire.{{Cite web|url = http://www.nelsap.org/nh/uncanoonuc.html|title = NELSAP: Uncanoonuc Mountain|access-date = 19 March 2015|website = New England Lost Ski Areas Project|publisher = NELSAP|last = Davis|first = Jeremy}} The incline railway has since been converted to a hiking trail.{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Goffstown, NH Town Report |url=https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1099&context=goffstown_nh_reports |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=University of New Hampshire}}

A new development was planned in the 1960s for the north peak, commencing in 1963. Chairlift and snow making equipment was ordered, several trails were cleared, but the project was halted by the town of Goffstown because of environmental concerns. In response to the failure, the city of Manchester opened its own area, McIntyre, in 1971.{{Cite web|url = http://www.newenglandskihistory.com/cancelledskiareas/NewHampshire/mtuncanoonuc.php|title = New England Ski History: Mt. Uncanoonuc Cancelled Development|access-date = 19 March 2015|website = New England Ski History|publisher = New England Ski History.com}}

The south peak contains transmitting facilities for many of the broadcast stations, including WMUR-TV, serving the Manchester area.{{Cite web |title=ASR Application A0040315 |url=https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrApplication.jsp?applKey=933714 |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=wireless2.fcc.gov}}

File:Uncanoonuc Incline Railway.jpg