Tip-Top House

Tip-Top House is a granite structure located on Mount Washington's summit at 6,288 feet elevation. The building measures roughly 60 feet by 24 feet and now contains exhibits featuring artifacts and photographs that tell the mountain's story.

Built in 1853 by Samuel F. Spaulding as a mountain hotel, the building originally had a flat roof equipped with a telescope. It survived the devastating Great Fire of 1908 that destroyed nearby structures, making it the oldest surviving summit building in North America.

The building housed the printing office of Among the Clouds newspaper between 1877 and 1884, recording daily life on the mountain. Visitors can see how journalists worked here to document conditions on the summit and share them with readers below.

The building is open from May through October when summit weather conditions are more stable. Visitors should know that the hike to the summit is challenging and warm clothing remains necessary even when it is warm below.

The structure is the oldest surviving building on a mountain summit in North America and showcases remarkably robust granite construction. Its ability to endure extreme winds and temperatures stands as a quiet testament to early building techniques in harsh environments.

Location: Coös County

Inception: 1853

GPS coordinates: 44.27060,-71.30390

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:43