History
of the Ammonoosuc Inn (c.1888)
The Lisbon Area Historical Society recently completed cataloging a sizeable donation made by descendants of one of the earliest settlers of Lisbon, Enos Bishop
(1724-1778) who was deeded land in Lisbon in
1770. Enos was captured by Indians in
1754, taken to Canada, and escaped back to his home in Boscawen. His father, Josiah
(1699-1746) was captured by Indians, killed, and thrown into the Merrimack River. Enos Bishop's oldest son was Josiah Bishop
(1750-1824) who probably came to Lisbon with his father in
1770. The Bishop family built a cabin on the property that is now the Lisbon Village Country Club (same property as the present Ammonoosuc Inn). The first cabin was located along the Ammonoosuc River in the vicinity of today’s second green and third tee of the golf course. The family built four replacement dwellings throughout the
Property.
Enos Bishop cleared land, built a log house and lived in peace for awhile. He was, however, again captured by Indians, this time while feeding his hogs which were in a log pen a short distance from the house. He was absent several years.
Mrs. Ella Bishop of Lisbon, tells this story of this pioneer ancestor of her husband. She goes on to say, “The second house was built further up on the hill by another Enos Bishop, and the partly filled cellar hole can still be seen today.
“The third house was built by still another Enos Bishop, and was a delightful place with its big square rooms, fireplaces, set-in cupboards, brick oven and all the accessories. Times changed and the family felt a modern house must be built. In
1888, the old landmark was torn down and a fourth house was built by Josiah Bishop (The present Inn building). In
1927 two great, great, great grandsons, Enos and Charles Bishop, remodeled the great house and gave it its name, “The Ammonoosuc,” and turned it into a hotel.
A golf course was installed where the fields and pastures had been and the spot where the old log house stood has been made into a croquet ground.
One can trace across the golf course signs of an old road which led down to the ford
(a shallow part of a body of water that may be crossed by wading)
in use until fairly recent times for travelers on horseback and by wagon. It was interesting to note that this place had never been owned by anyone but a Bishop until recent times.
content
from Franconia Area Heritage Council
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