Can You Pronounce “Kancamagus Highway” Correctly?

One of the most mispronounced and misspelled names in the north country of New Hampshire belongs to the Kancamagus Highway, a 34 mile scenic drive along NH Rt. 112, which at one time a rail line that runs from Conway to Lincoln.

Known also as the “Kanc”, the name is constantly mispronounced as “Kang –a- mang-us”, the correct pronunciation is “Kank-ah-mah-gus’.

The road is named for “the Fearless One”, Kancamagus, who ruled the Panacook Confederacy, a union of 17 Native American tribes started by his grandfather Passaconaway in 1627, taken over by his son Wonalancet in 1669, then passed to his son Kancamagus in 1684.

Today the “Kanc” is home to camping, historic sites and swimming areas along the Swift River. There are no gas stations, convenience stores, or hotels along the Kanc, keeping it a pristine, beautiful area, spectacular during the fall foliage season.