[mcdude]

From the Baysider - 12/20/12

Some interesting history in this article. It also includes several postcards that many of you have seen before but also a nice photo of four generations of Downings.

State purchases

Downing’s Landing

Property will
become public
boat access site
BY TIM CROES
Staff Writer

ALTON — For more than

150 years, the property
known as Downing’s Landing
has served the community
of Alton Bay.
In late November, Jon
Downing made the tough decision
to sell the property to
New Hampshire Fish and
Game and it will now serve
as a boat launch that is open
to the public on a first-come,
first-served basis.
“It was a bittersweet decision,”
Downing said. “I have
no sons to take it over.”
Downing has three daughters,
Julie, Jocelyn and Jennifer
and they scattered
throughout the country.
Downing said he was approached
back in 1992 by the
department, but didn’t feel
that the time was right.
In a press release issued
by the New Hampshire Fish
and Game, director Glenn
Normandeau talked about
the purchase.
“This is exciting news for
New Hampshire’s outdoor
enthusiasts because it creates
the first state-owned and
controlled boat ramp with
parking on Lake Winnipesaukee,”
Normandeau
said. “For years, we’ve wanted
to provide the public with
a boat access site on the big
lake, and I am thrilled that
we’ve been able to do it.”
The press release goes on
to say that the property may
be temporarily closed while
the department determines
what maintenance and repairs
are necessary.
“Improvements may include
dock repairs and installation
of a newer concrete
boat ramp. Fish and
Game officials hope to have
the site open this in time for
ice fishing season,” the press
release continued.
Downing has lot of pride
in the property, knowing that
it has been in his family since
his great-great-great grandfather
purchased it back in
1857.
To this day, Downing still
has a commercial pilot’s license,
as he used to drive the
famous “Legionairre” boat
back in the day when a fare
of $.75 or $1 was charged.
The landing had gas
pumps installed on the property
in 1910 and they remained

until they were removed

The original purchase in
1857 included a lumber yard
across the street, which is
now Parker’s Marine.
The first building was constructed
on the property in
1893, and by 1917 that became
Downing’s Garage and Boat
Service.
By 1920, a 100-foot dock
was added to the landing and
the property became one of
New England’s first Evinrude
dealers.

costs $1.

Rides on the Legionnaire,
a 10-passenger, 26-foot speed
boat powered by a Chrysler
motor with a top speed of 45
miles per hour, were offered
in the mid-1930s.
In 1940, a new boat, with a
cost of $35,000 and powered
by a 1,000 horse power
Packard motor, top speed on
the new Legionnaire was 70
miles per hour and rides
costs $1.
By 1949, a snack shop
“Land Ho” was built at the
landing following an amusement

center that featured a

miniature train. By the early
1960s, the parking lot was
paved for boat trailers and
parking and the speedboats
were sold.
Downing’s aunt, Nancy
Downing Merrill, recalled
driving the boat and also
driving the miniature train
that existed in the landing.
In 1967, the landing was
sold to Judson, Richard and
Philip Downing, the sons of
Lester Downing, and then in
1990, John Downing purchased
the property.
With New Hampshire
Fish and Game purchasing
the property, the public boat
launch known for more than
150 years as “Downing’s
Landing” will continue to be
used by members of the public
who can enjoy fishing,
boating and cruising the waters

of Lake Winnipesaukee