Gorham (pop. 3,173), incorporated in 1836, was another early tourist town. Its boom began when the railroad came through in 1851; the train’s, and the town’s, story is told at the Gorham Historical Society (daily 1–5 pm May–Nov.; donations), which stands in the old depot at 25 Railroad Street, a half-block off Main Street.
Just east of Gorham, the road passes through a famous grove of birch trees, the “world-renowned Shelburne Birches.” Here you find the big but pleasant Town & Country Motor Inn ($65 and up; 603/466-3315) with some spa and resort facilities, such as saunas, a golf course, and a good restaurant. This is also where the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine’s Mt. Katahdin to northern Georgia, crosses US-2.
West of Gorham, right off US-2, the summer-only Moose Brook State Park (603/466-3860) has a campground and a swimming hole built back in the 1930s by the New Deal CCC.
