Carbees

Martha Carbee, born as Martha Rowell Fuller, was born in 1858 in New Hampshire; Henry Carbee was born in 1842 in Vermont and moved to Hooksett in 1875. They were married in 1877. Three years after their marriage, they bought 60 acres of land, including Pinnacle Mountain, where they opened Pinnacle Park. This park included a zoo, dance pavilion, a group of swings under electric lights, hiking trails, and a carriage road to the summit. At the base, the family opened their homestead to visitors as the Hotel Pinnacle. It is said that people from every state have visited the Carbees’ park, as well as visitors from South Africa, Europe, and Canada.

The admission to the park was 10¢ at the time. In addition to the various elements of the park, they also had an observation tower overlooking the Merrimack River, which was 480 feet above sea level and 6 stories high. In 1923 this observation tower was deemed to be unsafe, so it was torn down. Overall, the Carbees’ park provided a unique landscape for tourism, and not only had various attractions but was said to be suitable for picnics in any weather. Henry died in 1916 and Martha in 1953.