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The History of The Grand View Inn

 

The Grand View Inn & Resort was the first brick house built in Jaffrey, New Hampshire by Lt. Alexander Milliken. It was a popular tavern frequented by many weary travelers on the third New Hampshire Turnpike in 1800.  

Milliken's Tavern carried on from father to son John until 1823. The estate became a private residence to Tilly Whitcomb, proprietor of Concert Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. After his untimely death, it was sold to John B. Proctor, who later opened the Proctor House again as a tavern in the 1880's. Thereafter, it was sold as a private residence and not used again as an Inn until today.

Aside from the beautiful mansion are the majestic grounds that once encumbered over 2000 acres. Fields, woods and hills offered several different opportunities for the many families that owned the property.

The large sixty-acre field was used as farmland for hay but was also Jaffrey's first air landing strip. Miss Geogiana Yeatman was an enthusiastic aviatrix and enjoyed visiting her family, Mr. and Mrs. Pope Yeatman, at their summer residence. Extensive reformation of the field was needed in order for planes to land. The story is epic in ingenuity and execution. Over 1000 pounds of dynamite was used to disintegrate the granite for proper drainage of the swampy land. It was a private project but hundreds of people from miles around came to see the spectacular event. It is still talked about by the town's people today.

The original barn suffered a devastating fire. A ship builder who lived in Dublin, New Hampshire was commissioned to build a new barn that was designed to hold 50,000 bales of hay. The structure was transported from Dublin to Jaffrey fully assembled! It was a perfect fit. The craftsmanship is indescribable and one of the estate's most treasured pieces.

As for the future of this property - the Mitchells want to restore it to its original potential. They want to accommodate travelers from all over, who will enjoy the history, beauty and tranquility of New Hampshire's "Little Piece of Heaven."