Live Free or Die Letterbox

Planted 6/27/02

Easy: with stairs

Planted by: Leader of the Pack ,Cowboy & Draft Dad

The New Hampshire Seacoast is alive with history and we share a piece
with you through this letterbox. Long ago New Hampshire residents
coined the phrase " Live Free or Die " and now it is on the liscense
plate of all the NH cars. An everyday reminder to the value given to
freedom and the price often paid to defend it. The New Hampshire
seacoast is valuable in that it is the home port for the Portsmouth
Shipyard. From colonial times when gunpowder was stolen from the
Brittish here to use at Bunker Hill to the Uboat nets from WWII,
through the closing of Fort Constitution for awhile after 9/11 the
seacoast has been defended.
To find the Live Free or Die letterbox travel to Rye New
Hampshire and take Rte 1-A from 1-A turn onto Rte 1-B Wentworth Rd.
You will drive by the old Wentworth By The Sea hotel now under
restoration. Down the road slowly now as it narrows look for an
unmarked sidestreet on the right with stonewall at the entrance .
Drive in this road through a neighborhood of estates. At the end the
road comes into the parking area for Fort Stark. In early years it
was defense for Portsmouth and then in WWII they built the fort
to resemble a ship when viewed from sea as a lure to U Boats so they
would run aground. It was a worthy plan never tested.
Park your car and proceed to the flagpole. From here turn toward
the water and climb either set of stairs. No place more emphasizes
our past defenses than this old fort. At the top of the Bunker ,
note Whaleback light to the front and Fort Constitution to the
left. Turn right on the mowed path. Follow the chain link fence
along the path. Follow to an end where you will see the Science
Center at Odiorne Point State Park. Stop here you want to look for
oil and eight. When you have found that look nearby for a square
within a square with a survey marker on it. In the inner square you
will find your letterbox. Stamp privately and return the box to its
hole. As you follow the path onward it will wind pass bunkers and
back to your car. Remember those who defend our country.