Purgatory Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purgatory Brook |
|
|---|---|
 
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Hillsborough |
| Towns | Mont Vernon, Lyndeborough, Milford |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mont Vernon 765 ft (233 m) 42°53′43″N 71°43′28″W / 42.89528°N 71.72444°W |
| River mouth | Souhegan River Milford 246 ft (75 m) 42°50′48″N 71°40′56″W / 42.84667°N 71.68222°W |
| Length | 5.8 mi (9.3 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
|
Purgatory Brook is a small river, about 5.8 miles (9.3 km) long, located in southern New Hampshire. It flows into the Souhegan River. The brook starts in a marshy area between the towns of Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon. As it travels south, it passes over three small waterfalls. Finally, it joins the Souhegan River in the town of Milford. For much of its journey, Purgatory Brook forms the natural boundary between Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon.
Contents
What's in a Name?
It's not fully clear how Purgatory Brook got its name. Town records from Mont Vernon don't explain its origin. Interestingly, there is another brook with the same name nearby in Massachusetts. This suggests the name might have a historical connection to the region.
Exploring Purgatory Falls
Purgatory Brook is known for its beautiful waterfalls. There are three main cascades along its path. These falls have been a popular spot for visitors for a long time.
Upper Purgatory Falls: A Historic Hotspot
The waterfall furthest north is called Upper Purgatory Falls. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this area was very popular. Many people visited Mont Vernon during the summer to escape the heat of Boston. The falls became a major attraction.
At one time, the area around Upper Purgatory Falls was a lively place. It even had a dance hall and a bowling alley. There were also places for camping. Today, these old buildings are gone. However, you can still see signs of old railings that once helped visitors view the falls safely.
Town celebrations used to bring hundreds of people to the falls. This continued even through tough times like the Great Depression. The falls were a central part of community life.
Visiting the Waterfalls Today
Today, you can still visit the waterfalls, though access has changed.
- Upper Purgatory Falls: You can reach the upper falls from the Mont Vernon side using four-wheel drive vehicles. From the Lyndeborough side, it's a short walk from a town road.
- Middle Waterfall: A public hiking trail runs along the brook. This trail allows you to reach the middle waterfall.
- Lowest Waterfall: The lowest waterfall can be reached by a short hiking trail from a parking lot. However, this parking lot has been closed recently due to too many visitors.
