Milford History Online

Long before the days of Google Maps, TripAdvisor or Yelp, the town of Milford had a low-tech means of giving locals information on restaurants, attractions, and goings-on. For nearly three decades in the mid-20th Century, a small white log cabin known as the "Milford Information Booth" was set up at various spots around the Oval between July and Labor Day each year. The booth had a sign above that read “Welcome to Milford, NH - In the Heart of New England - Settled 1738 - Incorporated 1794 - Population 5202 - Elevation 271.”  

For many years it was staffed by Edward Ruonala, a knowledgeable local who served as a kind of town-wide concierge, giving visitors a roundup of local eating dives, the most direct or scenic route to nearby destinations, and even the best place to get fresh worms (for use as bait one would hope). More than 2,000 information seekers stopped by each summer. In 1971, the amiable booth was replaced by the Chamber of Commerce's information services, which no doubt was as knowledgeable about local business but somehow just didn't have the same charm.