Preserving the History of the Lakes Region

Argie's Wife · 10-18-2007, 07:05 AM

Let me preface this post by saying I love, love, love the Lakes Region. I can't imagine ever living anywhere else or having a better community to raise my family. I know many of you here at the forum feel the same way, so I'm starting this thread to solicit your opinions on some things...

The Lakes Region (Belknap County) is one of the fastest growing areas of NH. A part of me cringes at the changes and the incoming commercialization of the area, but some of the conveniences are nice (i.e. a big grocery store in Alton, for example.) It can be a two-edged sword at times.

I'm looking for input on any the following:

1. If you had to make a decision about what you did NOT want to see change in your area, what would it be? (It can be one thing or many things.)

2. What would you want to see preserved in your community? (For example, certain historical buildings or special public areas or maybe there's something you'd like to see restored.)

3. Is having vital records from your town available online important to you? (i.e. for genealogy research, for example.) What about historical photos?

I know some of these questions have no easy answer - and there's no wrong or right answer. I'm looking for opinions and what posters here deem to be important.

Thanks for your help!

Weirs guy · 10-18-2007, 11:23 AM

Great thread Argie's Wife! I was thinking about starting a similar one a while ago but never did.

What I think would be helpful, although most likely controversial, would be if each poster also listed the amount of time they spend in the lakes region. Now thats not one of these "non-voting taxpayer" type statements, but I would like to see how the opinions of someone like me who lives here with a young family year round (and I mean every. last. day. including Christmas morning) vs. someone who comes up summers, weekends, ect. to "get away from it all".

So in that vain:

Hi, my names Weirs Guy and I look at the lake every day of my life from my house.

1. If you had to make a decision about what you did NOT want to see change in your area, what would it be? (It can be one thing or many things.)
I'd like to see less mcmansions and more fixing up of existing houses. I'd also like to see us not change the area's current growth plan, i.e. the adding of a Lowes, Wal-Mart, ect. but not some god awful strip mall ala Tilton or North Conway. This is a great point for the year rounders vs. summer/weekenders I think.

2. What would you want to see preserved in your community? (For example, certain historical buildings or special public areas or maybe there's something you'd like to see restored.)
I'd like to see the Weirs restored to a cleaner, more welcoming environment. A coat of paint, a fixed board at the boardwalk, ect.

3. Is having vital records from your town available online important to you? (i.e. for genealogy research, for example.) What about historical photos?
Nice to have, but not a need to have. I think the town could leverage its resources better, but maybe a volunteer campaign?

Great topic!

John A. Birdsall · 10-18-2007, 03:46 PM

Weirs guy, I have been coming up to the lake for summers for 61 years, and have come up a few times each winter as well. I do not like strip malls anywhere. I think they mess up the area, and it really commercializes,

I like the mom and pop stores and try to use them as much as possible.

Yes Hannafords is a plus for Alton and I am glad Magraths was able to change to some other venue. It (Hannafords) is well hidden from the road

skisox24 · 10-18-2007, 07:28 PM

A real provocative topic, Argie’s Wife. Thanks for posting. As anticipated by Weir’s Guy his response is, indeed controversial, and I would like to respond to his contribution as well.

My wife and I constantly debate the core issues that are central to your first two questions. My wife laments the changes that have taken place in the Winnipesaukee area in the past ten to fifteen years. She nostalgically worships the days when there were no traffic lights in Center Harbor on Route # 25, and she fondly recalls the old Robbins general store in Moultonborough (currently Wild Meadow Canoes). Yet she fails to acknowledge that around the turn of the century Center Harbor was a bustling tourist destination with several hotels including a massive frame structure situated approximately where the bandstand now exists.

I respect thoughtful and proportionate progress and have no problem with many of the commercial and municipal changes that have occurred, at least those in the Meredith/Center Harbor/Moultonborough areas of the big lake. In fact, I applaud the elected officials of those communities for having exercised reasonable (in my mind) restraint to the pressure for growth without extinguishing all incentives for positive development. I am afraid that other communities have missed the boat (see Tilton).

So, in summary, I like to see our town officials preserve the essential culture of our communities but not block proportionate contemporary progress that would enhance our lives and those that visit our special corner of the world. And yes, I would like to see a continuance of publicly available resources on the internet. This is not a luxury, but a real necessity.

OK, Weirs Guy, let me respond to your question. My family has been visiting the big lake for more than 60 years. My immediate family has actually owned property here for nearly twenty years. We are not year round residents, but we probably spend more than 50% of our time at our NH home. We are active within our community and I have volunteered my time for community needs. I have been a board member for a local association for more than ten years. My son has enjoyed years of employment in the area. We are invested in our town and can’t imagine anyone loving it any more passionately than we do. We invest this time even while realizing the dichotomy that our town displays toward non-primary resident owners. There is really an element of taxation without representation involved, yet we have tried to make up for that deficiency by contributing to community needs. Quite frankly, you would never have enjoyed the benefit of Lowe’s and Wal-Mart without the residential expansion brought to the region by second-homers.

Rattlesnake Guy · 10-18-2007, 10:31 PM

People measure their life by many milestones, when you get married, when you have kids and others. For us the measure of when we got our place on the island was a key mile marker. If my employer would kindly move near the lake we would love to live at the lake. I would like to think that our concern for the historic preservation of the area would be just as strong if we could be full time residents.

We love to see the revitalizing of old buildings like when you walk through Wolfeboro or Meredith. The proliferation of traffic lights is always sad. I like the concept of high speed bypasses away from the lake to reduce the traffic load on the water's edge. One of our important items worth preserving is the Mount. After seeing her a 1000 times, we still stop to watch the grand lady pass by. Can't imagine the lake without her. (Especially lit up and partying at night)

I think the towns should try to develop more town dock space. It seems a shame when the local towns loose the potential dollars and the visitors miss the chance to enjoy what the towns have to offer.

The towns should work hard to preserve what makes them attractive to tourist in the first place. The nostalgic nature of a bygone era that is trying to hang in as long as possible. The Alton bandstands come to mind. The general store in Center Harbor.

To me, the development concern is directly related to the distance from the lake and town centers themselves. A Home Depot that is 3 miles out is a lot less of a concern than a Chucky Cheese in place of 4 buildings in downtown Wolfeboro.

Great topic

secondcurve · 10-19-2007, 07:04 AM

The change that I lament the most is the fact that technology has caught up to the Lakes Region and connected it to the rest of the world. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first to use a cell phone or a computer, but in the 70s and early 80s when I came to the lake I was going to a place that seemed much further away from Massachusetts than it does today. It was truly an adventure since you were in the country when you were at Lake Winnipesaukee. Also, when the winter rolled around there was hardly anyone up country other than the locals.

nj2nh · 10-19-2007, 04:35 PM

Unfortunately, what I would like to see remain has already gone - the Alton Bay Pavilion, Bailey's in Wolfeboro, the Hansel and Gretel Shop in Mlevin Village, the original McGrath's in Alton Bay. I could go on and on.

I do agree that the lake could do without the McMansions, but there are many tasteful new homes along the lake. I fear for my parents camp.

I would preserve, if it were possible, the homey feel of Alton Bay. It seems to be the only town that still feels even remotely old fashioned. Sure, I like progress, but just don't want to see it on the lake.

And long live the Mount Washington. Would that she could sail forever.

nj2nh

mcdude · 10-19-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nj2nh

Unfortunately, what I would like to see remain has already gone - the Alton Bay Pavilion, .....
nj2nh

I've been thinking about this thread and one of the first things I thought of was how glad I am that the Alton Bay Pavilion has been restored even though it burnt down....granted it is now condos but at least the building was preserved.

photo by drh

photo by justsold

Across the bay, the town beach has been revitalized and now closely resembles what it looked like in old 1950s postcards.

Good planning to put the Hannaford's and Mickey Dee's up near the traffic circle and away from the lake. Those who follow this forum know that I hate the idea of cell phone towers along the ridgeline of Alton Bay.

On another thread I mentioned that the Alton Bay Inn / J.P. China's Restaurant and the Blue Jay Mini Golf course are currently up for sale. I'd hate to lose the mini-golf course! It just wouldn't be the same. I wonder what will become of these properties?

Argie's Wife · 10-21-2007, 12:20 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful input. I really appreciate the responses!

My father's family is one of the oldest families in the Lakes Region, dating back to the mid/late-1600's (sir name is Ellis). My dad had a construction business and built quite a few cabins and houses in the area. He was also an incorporator for LRGH in the 1950's and a selectman in Laconia. Although he had moved to Maine to marry my mom (and that's where I grew up), we still spent a lot of time in this area. I remember when the area where the outlet mall in Tilton was nothing - just cow pastures and trees. I remember when down town Laconia was more accessible (I can't stand the one-way streets in there now!)

I've only lived in the Lakes Region for 7 years now - six of those year in Alton. I knew I'd always end up here somehow - like the way you know you've met the right man or the right melon in the supermarket.

It was just an easy decision to make.

For those of you who have posted already, I agree that it's sad to see that the McMansions are popping up in the place where a quaint cottage stood the day before or that a new strip mall is going in where a wonderful old farm used to be. But some of the conveniences - like more healthcare facilities - are just a "gotta have". As I understand it, Huggins Hospital is putting in a clinic in Alton, near Hannaford. I'm glad for the new jobs in the area and the much needed relief it will bring the local ER/Walk-In Clinics of LRGH and HH and Frisbee Memorial - especially in the summer when those services get maxed out at peak times like during Motorcycle Week.

Somehow the town planners and those responsible for making the decisions for the town will need to figure a way to allow the changes to happen appropriately.

Take for example the cell tower issue here in Alton... I sympathize with the people who don't want to look out their window and see that thing sticking up in their view - I don't blame them one bit - but on the other hand, I hate not being able to use a cell phone in my own home town because there's no coverage in my area (I can't get an iPhone because of this!) There's got to be a happy medium somewhere...

And this brings me back to how we, as a rapidly growing town/county, decide on moving forward with our "wish list" and our "needs list" as the infrastructure of the area gets stretched and yet we try to cling to what we love about the area... it seems a paradox, doesn't it?

10-18-2007, 07:05 AM	#1
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Preserving the History of the Lakes Region Let me preface this post by saying I love, love, love the Lakes Region. I can't imagine ever living anywhere else or having a better community to raise my family. I know many of you here at the forum feel the same way, so I'm starting this thread to solicit your opinions on some things... The Lakes Region (Belknap County) is one of the fastest growing areas of NH. A part of me cringes at the changes and the incoming commercialization of the area, but some of the conveniences are nice (i.e. a big grocery store in Alton, for example.) It can be a two-edged sword at times. I'm looking for input on any the following: 1. If you had to make a decision about what you did NOT want to see change in your area, what would it be? (It can be one thing or many things.) 2. What would you want to see preserved in your community? (For example, certain historical buildings or special public areas or maybe there's something you'd like to see restored.) 3. Is having vital records from your town available online important to you? (i.e. for genealogy research, for example.) What about historical photos? I know some of these questions have no easy answer - and there's no wrong or right answer. I'm looking for opinions and what posters here deem to be important. Thanks for your help!

10-18-2007, 11:23 AM	#2
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Great thread Argie's Wife! I was thinking about starting a similar one a while ago but never did. What I think would be helpful, although most likely controversial, would be if each poster also listed the amount of time they spend in the lakes region. Now thats not one of these "non-voting taxpayer" type statements, but I would like to see how the opinions of someone like me who lives here with a young family year round (and I mean every. last. day. including Christmas morning) vs. someone who comes up summers, weekends, ect. to "get away from it all". So in that vain: Hi, my names Weirs Guy and I look at the lake every day of my life from my house. 1. If you had to make a decision about what you did NOT want to see change in your area, what would it be? (It can be one thing or many things.) I'd like to see less mcmansions and more fixing up of existing houses. I'd also like to see us not change the area's current growth plan, i.e. the adding of a Lowes, Wal-Mart, ect. but not some god awful strip mall ala Tilton or North Conway. This is a great point for the year rounders vs. summer/weekenders I think. 2. What would you want to see preserved in your community? (For example, certain historical buildings or special public areas or maybe there's something you'd like to see restored.) I'd like to see the Weirs restored to a cleaner, more welcoming environment. A coat of paint, a fixed board at the boardwalk, ect. 3. Is having vital records from your town available online important to you? (i.e. for genealogy research, for example.) What about historical photos? Nice to have, but not a need to have. I think the town could leverage its resources better, but maybe a volunteer campaign? Great topic! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

10-18-2007, 03:46 PM	#3
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	strip malls Weirs guy, I have been coming up to the lake for summers for 61 years, and have come up a few times each winter as well. I do not like strip malls anywhere. I think they mess up the area, and it really commercializes, I like the mom and pop stores and try to use them as much as possible. Yes Hannafords is a plus for Alton and I am glad Magraths was able to change to some other venue. It (Hannafords) is well hidden from the road

10-18-2007, 07:28 PM	#4
skisox24 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 74 Thanks: 9 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	A Split Thread A real provocative topic, Argie’s Wife. Thanks for posting. As anticipated by Weir’s Guy his response is, indeed controversial, and I would like to respond to his contribution as well. My wife and I constantly debate the core issues that are central to your first two questions. My wife laments the changes that have taken place in the Winnipesaukee area in the past ten to fifteen years. She nostalgically worships the days when there were no traffic lights in Center Harbor on Route # 25, and she fondly recalls the old Robbins general store in Moultonborough (currently Wild Meadow Canoes). Yet she fails to acknowledge that around the turn of the century Center Harbor was a bustling tourist destination with several hotels including a massive frame structure situated approximately where the bandstand now exists. I respect thoughtful and proportionate progress and have no problem with many of the commercial and municipal changes that have occurred, at least those in the Meredith/Center Harbor/Moultonborough areas of the big lake. In fact, I applaud the elected officials of those communities for having exercised reasonable (in my mind) restraint to the pressure for growth without extinguishing all incentives for positive development. I am afraid that other communities have missed the boat (see Tilton). So, in summary, I like to see our town officials preserve the essential culture of our communities but not block proportionate contemporary progress that would enhance our lives and those that visit our special corner of the world. And yes, I would like to see a continuance of publicly available resources on the internet. This is not a luxury, but a real necessity. OK, Weirs Guy, let me respond to your question. My family has been visiting the big lake for more than 60 years. My immediate family has actually owned property here for nearly twenty years. We are not year round residents, but we probably spend more than 50% of our time at our NH home. We are active within our community and I have volunteered my time for community needs. I have been a board member for a local association for more than ten years. My son has enjoyed years of employment in the area. We are invested in our town and can’t imagine anyone loving it any more passionately than we do. We invest this time even while realizing the dichotomy that our town displays toward non-primary resident owners. There is really an element of taxation without representation involved, yet we have tried to make up for that deficiency by contributing to community needs. Quite frankly, you would never have enjoyed the benefit of Lowe’s and Wal-Mart without the residential expansion brought to the region by second-homers.

10-19-2007, 04:35 PM	#7
nj2nh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 529 Thanks: 80 Thanked 47 Times in 27 Posts	Unfortunately, what I would like to see remain has already gone - the Alton Bay Pavilion, Bailey's in Wolfeboro, the Hansel and Gretel Shop in Mlevin Village, the original McGrath's in Alton Bay. I could go on and on. I do agree that the lake could do without the McMansions, but there are many tasteful new homes along the lake. I fear for my parents camp. I would preserve, if it were possible, the homey feel of Alton Bay. It seems to be the only town that still feels even remotely old fashioned. Sure, I like progress, but just don't want to see it on the lake. And long live the Mount Washington. Would that she could sail forever. nj2nh __________________

10-18-2007, 10:31 PM	#5
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	People measure their life by many milestones, when you get married, when you have kids and others. For us the measure of when we got our place on the island was a key mile marker. If my employer would kindly move near the lake we would love to live at the lake. I would like to think that our concern for the historic preservation of the area would be just as strong if we could be full time residents. We love to see the revitalizing of old buildings like when you walk through Wolfeboro or Meredith. The proliferation of traffic lights is always sad. I like the concept of high speed bypasses away from the lake to reduce the traffic load on the water's edge. One of our important items worth preserving is the Mount. After seeing her a 1000 times, we still stop to watch the grand lady pass by. Can't imagine the lake without her. (Especially lit up and partying at night) I think the towns should try to develop more town dock space. It seems a shame when the local towns loose the potential dollars and the visitors miss the chance to enjoy what the towns have to offer. The towns should work hard to preserve what makes them attractive to tourist in the first place. The nostalgic nature of a bygone era that is trying to hang in as long as possible. The Alton bandstands come to mind. The general store in Center Harbor. To me, the development concern is directly related to the distance from the lake and town centers themselves. A Home Depot that is 3 miles out is a lot less of a concern than a Chucky Cheese in place of 4 buildings in downtown Wolfeboro. Great topic

10-19-2007, 07:04 AM	#6
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,117 Thanks: 1,325 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	The change that I lament the most is the fact that technology has caught up to the Lakes Region and connected it to the rest of the world. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first to use a cell phone or a computer, but in the 70s and early 80s when I came to the lake I was going to a place that seemed much further away from Massachusetts than it does today. It was truly an adventure since you were in the country when you were at Lake Winnipesaukee. Also, when the winter rolled around there was hardly anyone up country other than the locals.

10-21-2007, 12:20 PM	#9
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	*Thanks for the thoughtful input. I really appreciate the responses!* My father's family is one of the oldest families in the Lakes Region, dating back to the mid/late-1600's (sir name is Ellis). My dad had a construction business and built quite a few cabins and houses in the area. He was also an incorporator for LRGH in the 1950's and a selectman in Laconia. Although he had moved to Maine to marry my mom (and that's where I grew up), we still spent a lot of time in this area. I remember when the area where the outlet mall in Tilton was nothing - just cow pastures and trees. I remember when down town Laconia was more accessible (I can't stand the one-way streets in there now!) I've only lived in the Lakes Region for 7 years now - six of those year in Alton. I knew I'd always end up here somehow - like the way you know you've met the right man or the right melon in the supermarket. It was just an easy decision to make. For those of you who have posted already, I agree that it's sad to see that the McMansions are popping up in the place where a quaint cottage stood the day before or that a new strip mall is going in where a wonderful old farm used to be. But some of the conveniences - like more healthcare facilities - are just a "gotta have". As I understand it, Huggins Hospital is putting in a clinic in Alton, near Hannaford. I'm glad for the new jobs in the area and the much needed relief it will bring the local ER/Walk-In Clinics of LRGH and HH and Frisbee Memorial - especially in the summer when those services get maxed out at peak times like during Motorcycle Week. Somehow the town planners and those responsible for making the decisions for the town will need to figure a way to allow the changes to happen appropriately. Take for example the cell tower issue here in Alton... I sympathize with the people who don't want to look out their window and see that thing sticking up in their view - I don't blame them one bit - but on the other hand, I hate not being able to use a cell phone in my own home town because there's no coverage in my area (I can't get an iPhone because of this!) There's got to be a happy medium somewhere... And this brings me back to how we, as a rapidly growing town/county, decide on moving forward with our "wish list" and our "needs list" as the infrastructure of the area gets stretched and yet we try to cling to what we love about the area... it seems a paradox, doesn't it?