Monument Hill, Leeds

This loop trail offers a short, brisk climb to an open ledge with beautiful western views (including of Mount Washington), and a Civil War peace monument dedicated to the sailors and soldiers of Leeds. It was erected in 1895 by Major General Oliver Otis Howard, who was from Leeds. Among his career highlights was an appointment to commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau, where he oversaw the integration of former enslaved people into American society. He also helped to found Howard University, in Washington, DC. Bowdoin College has digitized his letters, photographs and diaries.

Soon after the trailhead kiosk, you’ll have a choice of going left or right. Both routes are equally steep, but short (~0.5 mile). As you climb to the summit (~670 feet), the trails get a bit ledgy before reaching the top — an open area with a flag pole along with the monument. If you step out onto the far western ledge, you’ll find a picnic table perfectly positioned under a pine tree to take in the views. (I counted at least four picnic tables on this trail system: two at the top, one close to the top (on the red trail), and one half-way up the red trail.)

A kiosk at the bottom of the hill has some interesting and somewhat funny information about the purpose the monument and how it was paid for (with some difficulty). O.O. Howard was explicit that the monument was not meant to praise “the peace cause in general,” but rather was to specifically commemorate “the peace triumph of 1865…bringing, as we trust, a lasting, perhaps an everlasting, peace to our country.”

The trail is well marked, but there do appear to be other, unofficial trails heading off into the woods close to the top.

Directions: There is a narrow pull-off for several cars on North Road, where the trailhead is located. From Route 106, turn onto Church Hill Road. The turn to North Road on the right will be approximately a mile. Go another mile on North Road, and the trailhead will be on the right.