History of Lake Shore Park

[SteveA]

Ok... this thread is where it all started for me here on Winnipesaukee.com. 1,000 posts ago. Inspired by RG's and McDudes "History" threads.

So, I decided to come back to this thread for 2 reasons, one to refresh the LSP Thread, but more importantly to say thanks to Don, and all of the great folks I've got to know here on Winni.com.

Too many to mention name by name, but I have to say to Pineneddles, Gravy Boat, Rattlesnake Gal and Guy, Pepper, WinniDixie, McDude, Upthesaukee, Island Girl, Broad Hopper, Bear Islander, Siksukr, Quilt Lady and DRH, AG, Samiam, and yes even FLL, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

You've all made me laugh, and when all is said and done... a good laugh is priceless.

I'm sure I've missed many more.

SteveA

[SteveA]

A very nice lady from CT contacted the office at LSP looking to find me.
She had a number of pictures and post card from the 50's.

She is actually the person Dickie B ID's in post 142 as Wendy Shull. She is now Wendy Rittweger... and here are her post cards and pictures. (She also has a copy of the same photo in post 142, and can ID several more of the ladies.)

These photo's are used with her permission.

Two postcards not previously posted. No dates on them, but notice the gas pumps in front of the Pavilion.



Wendy tells me these photo's are from The Miss LSP Contest in 1957 or 56.





Thank You Wendy! It was a pleasure to meet you today.

[Dickie B from HB]

Hi Steve,
Thanks to you and Wendy for those pictures. They bring back a lot of memories.
It made me think that a sub-thread for the history of the park could be memories of the pavilion. Who could imagine what life at the park would have been like without the pavilion? During my time at the park (the 40's thru the early 60's), the pavilion was the center for all that was happening.
It was the gathering place for almost everyone.
Every morning we made a trip to the pavilion, hauling our 2 gallon water jug to fill at the pump next to the store, and often buy Armand's cinnamon rolls for a nickel a piece.
I could go on for pages about the pavilion (just the evolution of the juke box is worth several paragraphs), but I'll save it for other posts.
If it isn't already, the pavilion should be dedicated as a historic landmark.

Best regards,
Dick B

[SteveA]

This is one I haven't seen before. Postmarked from Meridith July, 1948

[oche16]

Hope to revive this wonderful thread.

Im trying to get a lay of the land of our little neighborhood away from home. Although we've only jogged through LSP and Ellacoya on occasion, the place feels warm and comfortable to me and I can appreciate all these fond memories. Thanks to all for sharing them, and the terrific photos!

On my old pc, I was able to barely make out the old Inn. It's very small, though unmistakable. Im uncertain of the spot. But, looking from Scenic Dr. I believe the Inn sat at the base of the steep Route 11 incline on the outside of the curve and just to the right of the entrance into the Park. Is this correct?

Also, Did the photographer take the one and only photo from an earlier post post from Rt11?

You're all lucky people to have experienced this massive "family" atmosphere. Sounds like Walton's Mountain -on steroids.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Steve

[oche16]

Hope to revive this wonderful thread.

Im trying to get a lay of the land of our little neighborhood away from home. Although we've only jogged through LSP and Ellacoya on occasion, the place feels warm and comfortable to me and I can appreciate all these fond memories. Thanks to all for sharing them, and the terrific photos!

On my old pc, I was able to barely make out the old Inn. It's very small, though unmistakable. Im uncertain of the exact setting. But, looking from Scenic Dr. I believe the Inn sat at the base of the steep Route 11 incline on the outside of the curve (east) and just to the right of the entrance into the Park. Directly on the corner... Is this correct?

Also, Did the photographer take the one and only photo from an earlier post post from Rt11?



You're all lucky people to have experienced this massive "family" atmosphere. Sounds like Walton's Mountain -on steroids.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Steve

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by oche16

On my old pc, I was able to barely make out the old Inn. It's very small, though unmistakable. Im uncertain of the exact setting. But, looking from Scenic Dr. I believe the Inn sat at the base of the steep Route 11 incline on the outside of the curve (east) and just to the right of the entrance into the Park. Directly on the corner... Is this correct?

Also, Did the photographer take the one and only photo from an earlier post post from Rt11

I've been told the hotel was to the left side of the entrance, across from the present "office building". I've also been told that there are some remains of the foundation of the hotel, but I've not been able to locate any.

The two pictures posted are the only ones I've seen.

Thanks for posting and reviving the thread. Maybe we'll get some more old pictures posted! (hint, hint)

Thanks for the blow up of the old postcard. I spotted the hotel in the picture, your "zoom" view is very helpful.

[SteveA]

History of Lake Shore Park

The year was 1890 and the date was June 17, the Concord & Montreal Railroad finished a rail line from Lakeport to Alton Bay. This railroad ran through Lake Shore Park which was owned by the Boston & Maine railroad and was one of the stops along the way.
The Following is from the The Boston & Maine Bulletin Vol.XVI no.4
Heretofore the entire south shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, from Long Bay, at the outlet of the Lake, to Alton Bay, on its southeastern corner, has been practically wilderness, nearly unoccupied by villages or hamlets, or by individual homesteads or establishments, except at points very near either end of its route. Recently, however, the Concord & Montreal Railroad system has been extended by the addition of a line along its shore, or from Lake Village to Alton Bay, a distance of seventeen miles.

If nothing else had been accomplished by building of this connecting line, the opening up of a new scenic section for the Winnipesaukee neighborhood would have amply compensated for the outlay from the standpoint of the summer visitor.

About seven miles from the Lake Village terminus of the Lake Shore railroad and within the territory of Guilford township, the extreme point on the south shore of Winnipsesaukee juts out on the Lake. This is known as “Carr’s Point,” a beautiful, sightly, finely situated promontory in miniature, commanding in outlooks and winsome in every grace and attraction of coast and landscape scenery. The neighborhood of Carr’s Point has been seized upon as the foundation of a public park, known as Lake Shore Park, a reservation of about twenty acres on the shore front of a two-hundred-acre tract, all included within the park establishment. Here is one of the most beautiful spots imaginable. The views, multiplies indefinitely by every change standpoint within the grounds, are simply magnificent, and include the finest of lake sections, with shore and island accessories, and the glorious successions of mountain scenery in the north. An observatory on Carr’s Point will also afford peculiar emphasis and character for these outlooks. Along the lake shore, in front of and contiguous to the park, a white sandy beach extends for a half mile or more, fully equal in all its features to the beach at Old Orchard or any of the well known seashore localities. Off this beach, and in various localities in view from its expanse, are fishing grounds for bass, pickerel, perch, trout, etc.; in short, for all varieties of the fish with which the great lake abounds. Indeed, it may be claimed for this neighborhood that it furnishes the best brook-trout fishing in the country.
Through these park grounds the Lake Shore railroad runs, dividing the park proper, on the water-front from the park community establishment, which occupies the remainder of the tract, on the south side if iron highway.
These grounds slope gradually from the shore to the upland in their rear, thus enhancing continually the situation with regard to the views of the lake and its northern boundaries. The park is to be fitted with a pavilion one hundred by forty feet measurement and with an “annex” thirty by thirty feet. The provision is for every kind of excursion and picnic parties, and social organizations assemblages. Within the annex are boilers for cooking coffee, chowders, etc., and in larger room tables may be readily set for gathering of almost any size. The hall is fitted with a stage and siderooms, for concert performances and the like; and bowling-alleys, music and dancing, and all pastimes and employment’s usual in such establishments, will be amply provided for. The observatory on the point will be fitted for the accommodation of band while performing, and every attention has been given to the preparation of the park and its vicinity as a resort for ladies and children. Yachts (steam and sailing), fishing boats, rowing boats, etc., are to be in full supply. A veranda twelve feet wide extends along the north and east fronts of the great hall building.
The park grounds, south of the railroad, have been laid out in streets and avenues, perfect squares resulting from the intersections, upon which may be erected cottages, residences, and the like, corresponding with the usage of summer communities generally. In the midst of all will be a fine hotel building complete in design and finish for all purposes of a first-class caravansary for a popular resort. It is expected that this hotel will be ready for occupancy in the summer of 1891.

[oche16]

Hi Steve A,

Thanks for the info. It's strengthened my geography of Guilford's shore. We'll be exploring this hood in late spring, to try to tie up a few loose ends.

I'm also interested in Scenic Drive, Gilford. Of all the spots on the Lake, I believe this road has the sweetest views of old LSP, Ellacoya and Long Beach.

I will attempt to start a thread ref the Greystone and the Scenic Drive area in general. If it just a fraction of interest that this thread receives, I'll be happy. Please have a look!

Best,
Steve F