Sunday Paper Boat on Winnipesaukee

Waco1148 · 04-12-2025, 09:57 AM

I was researching the stops that the Uncle Sam mail boat used to make back in the 1920s, and came across this from one of Warren Huse's "Our Yesterdays" articles from the old Laconia Citizen (later part of Foster's Daily Democrat).

I never knew there was a Sunday Paper boat, and I'm not familiar with several of its stops, so help me out here. Where were Pinehurst, New Point Comfort, Black's Wharf, Grover's, and Shore Acres? This would have been in 1907.

Taking the stops in order from Lakeport, I'm not familiar with Pinehurst.

White Mountain Park was on Bear Island, and the lookout tower was incorporated into the church on the south end of Bear.

I think Gypsy Camp was just north of Cattle Landing on Meredith Neck.

No idea about New Point Comfort, except maybe the name is derived from Old Point Comfort in Virginia which was a strategic location during the Civil War, but not sure if it was on Bear Island or Meredith Neck.

Loon Island is on the map and still a mail boat stop.

Black's Wharf-maybe where Y Landing is now?

Pine, Bear and Long Islands all obvious.

Wawbeek was a summer hotel south of Melvin Village, and Merrymount was between Melvin and Wawbeek.

Melvin Village we all know. Winnipesaukee Inn was where Geneva Point Center is now. Union Wharf was in 20 Mile Bay.

Grover's and Shore Acres-no idea!

And finally, the original steamer Belknap sank in 1841, so this must have been a different boat that I have never heard of either.

Text of the 1907 article quoted by Warren in 2007 is below. Hope this sparks some discussion.

"The Sunday paper boat, Steamer Belknap, had "commenced making its regular trips on Lake Winnipesaukee ... Steamer leaves the public wharf (at Lakeport) at 7:30, making a tour of the lake, touching at Pinehurst, White Mountain park, Gypsy camp, New Point Comfort, Loon island, Black's wharf, Pine island, Bear island, Long island, Wabeek, Merrimount, Melvin, Winnipesaukee Inn, Union wharf, Grover's, Shore Acres, returning to The Weirs at 4 and Lakeport at 4:30. Round trip, 50c. The trips of the paper boat afford an excellent opportunity for a delightful Sunday excursion on the lake."
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04-12-2025, 09:57 AM	#1
Waco1148 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 46 Thanks: 2 Thanked 47 Times in 22 Posts	Sunday Paper Boat on Winnipesaukee I was researching the stops that the Uncle Sam mail boat used to make back in the 1920s, and came across this from one of Warren Huse's "Our Yesterdays" articles from the old Laconia Citizen (later part of Foster's Daily Democrat). I never knew there was a Sunday Paper boat, and I'm not familiar with several of its stops, so help me out here. Where were Pinehurst, New Point Comfort, Black's Wharf, Grover's, and Shore Acres? This would have been in 1907. Taking the stops in order from Lakeport, I'm not familiar with Pinehurst. White Mountain Park was on Bear Island, and the lookout tower was incorporated into the church on the south end of Bear. I think Gypsy Camp was just north of Cattle Landing on Meredith Neck. No idea about New Point Comfort, except maybe the name is derived from Old Point Comfort in Virginia which was a strategic location during the Civil War, but not sure if it was on Bear Island or Meredith Neck. Loon Island is on the map and still a mail boat stop. Black's Wharf-maybe where Y Landing is now? Pine, Bear and Long Islands all obvious. Wawbeek was a summer hotel south of Melvin Village, and Merrymount was between Melvin and Wawbeek. Melvin Village we all know. Winnipesaukee Inn was where Geneva Point Center is now. Union Wharf was in 20 Mile Bay. Grover's and Shore Acres-no idea! And finally, the original steamer Belknap sank in 1841, so this must have been a different boat that I have never heard of either. Text of the 1907 article quoted by Warren in 2007 is below. Hope this sparks some discussion. "The Sunday paper boat, Steamer Belknap, had "commenced making its regular trips on Lake Winnipesaukee ... Steamer leaves the public wharf (at Lakeport) at 7:30, making a tour of the lake, touching at Pinehurst, White Mountain park, Gypsy camp, New Point Comfort, Loon island, Black's wharf, Pine island, Bear island, Long island, Wabeek, Merrimount, Melvin, Winnipesaukee Inn, Union wharf, Grover's, Shore Acres, returning to The Weirs at 4 and Lakeport at 4:30. Round trip, 50c. The trips of the paper boat afford an excellent opportunity for a delightful Sunday excursion on the lake." Waco1148 is online now Report Post