in 1869 a cog railroad was built to carry tourists to the top of the mountain. it carried so many passengers at a time a new hotel had to be built in 1873. sylvester marsh designed this system and in 1866 he raised funds to build the first cog railroad; it was to the top of mt. washington. he was called "crazy marsh" because a railroad going up a mountain was thought to be impossible. but marsh wasn't crazy. he took out patents on his design. customers paid to ride to the top even before it was finished. they called the ride "jacob’s ladder". it is still in operation today climbing the mountain at .