A Weirs Souvenir - 1880s - 1940s - Part 1

mcdude · 04-09-2005, 05:54 PM

In order to keep this thread shorter (for ease in downloading) I've stored the rest of the thread OVER HERE including the "girlie stuff"!!!

The rest of the thread will be completed in Parts 2 & 3 etc...

The DEPOT

Real Photo of the Old Mount at the Weirs Depot.

"It was a different Weirs back then, stately and sedate, served by daily trains from the Boston and Lowell area and catering to well-off guests from big cities along the East Coast. Steamships, the most notable of which was the side-wheeler “Mount Washington”, provided leisurely trips around the lake for a mostly affluent clientele that gathered at the Weirs every summer."
Source: Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society

----Weirs Excursion Train - 1880s----

CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this schedule

To help people attend the Weirs races, Irwin, along with city officials and other local businessmen, worked closely with the local Boston & Maine railroad executives to finalize plans for advancing their mutual interests. Funds were raised for a series of band concerts that were given every Sunday through Labor Day. Music hours were scheduled from 2-3 and 4-5 in the afternoon. The band that regularly performed was the 387th Infantry Band stationed in Laconia and other plans were put in place to help provide amusements for the expected crowds. Railroad officials scheduled special excursion trains that left Boston at 8 o’clock and ended up at the Weirs at 11:20. The trains came to the Weirs not only from Boston, but also Lynn and Lowell, as well as southern NH. Local hotels scheduled special meals to coincide with the arrival of all excursionists.

Note the presence of the Laconia Street Electric Railway Company
which extended to the Weirs in 1899.
CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this image

CLICK HERE for a photo of the Weirs Station today.

The aftermath of the 1939 fire.
__________________________________________________ ____
The MUSIC HALL

The Music Hall was founded by the New Hampshire Music Teachers Association for the purpose of holding summer camps, recitals and concerts. The original building sat at approximately the same site as the present day bath house at Endicott Park / Weirs Beach. The facility was actually a roller skating rink that was dismantled and brought up to the Weirs from Concord, NH. the building reverted to its' original use when not in use by the music students. The building was ruined when heavy snow caused the roof to collapse in ????. A new facility was built shortly thereafter on Tower Avenue next to the Methodist Church. the great fire of 1924 started in the Music Hall.

__________________________________________________ ____
CLICK HERE to see the continuation of this thread - A Weirs Souvenir - Part 2

upthesaukee · 04-09-2005, 10:49 PM

Yet another wonderful thread, McDude. Before all the historical posts and pictures started, I guess most of us took the area for granted, and didn't think about the rich history of the lakes region, especially the Weirs. I have seen the NH Veterens housing and areas, and knew about the regimental buildings, but somehow they got lost in the arcades, shops, and food places.

I remember over the years my parents talked about Irwin's Gardens, and how there were Big Bands that came to entertain. The place would be packed, and they would spend the entire night on the dance floor, jitterbugging, doing the foxtrot, waltzing, doing the two step, polka, etc..

Now for the really exciting thing...The Five bathing beauties... I need a little help. I think we have I.G., R.G., Island Sib, and Pepper... but who is the fifth one??? Are you going to number them like forum fest fotos (just a touch of alliteration) ???

ApS · 04-10-2005, 04:38 AM

For telephone modem users with old computers (like me), this thread takes a long time to load.

If you want to view it later, "minimize (-)" this page , and "left-click" open a new window to continue "surfing the Net".

It's been 20 minutes, and there are still more photos to go.

From what I've seen so far, mcdude is turning this into a "girlie site!"

Seriously, I'm wondering if:

1) that Civil War statue is still there
2) The "Lady of the Lake" steamer appears immense in the Weirs-1880 image. But in the "Weirs Landing" image, a steamer appears puny. "PhotoShop1880"?

3) What make and model of floatplane is pictured -- with that huge radial engine and prop. (With "The Mount" in the background, it shan't be a Cessna 190 -- but it looks close).

BTW: "G.A.R." stands for "Grand Army of the Republic". I'm impressed by the way those Veterans were organized and treated.

Holy Moly! Those muskets look REAL!

(But they don't appear Civil War-contemporary -- they look like Springfield model 1884).

'Bet they're not there today.

mcdude · 04-10-2005, 08:23 AM

Thanks for that feedback you guys. There are still many, many photos to upload and organize. I will be sure not to 'overpopulate' this thread and will continue with part 2 and 3 in a new thread for ease in uploading.

PS - Word has it that the "Loammi Bean Fountain" / Veteran's Statue was erected in 1894 but struck by lightning in 1931 and ruined....More on that to come!

Silver Duck · 04-10-2005, 10:49 AM

McDude

The Weirs has been a special place for Betty and I since we were small children, when talking our respective parents into bringing us over there was one of the high point of our yearly vacations!

It continued to be special to us after we began dating in out late teens (we usually managed to drive up for a visit together at least a few times a season); to this day going over for some "Wiers Beach Pizza" and eating an ice cream cone while strolling the boardwalk is still high on our list of favorite ways to spend an evening.

Thanks a million for this great thread. I look forward to seeing the rest of it!

(And to adding Waldo Peppers to our favorites list. Hey, Pepper - incoming!

ETA about 2 weeks!)

Silver Duck

Rattlesnake Gal · 04-10-2005, 11:51 AM

Excellent job as usual McDude! Looking forward to more about The Weirs. You really know how to bring the lakes history to life. Thanks for taking the time to give us such a treat. The musket fence is amazing and too bad the fountain was destroyed.

Mee-n-Mac · 04-15-2005, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

snip} Now for the really exciting thing...The Five bathing beauties... I need a little help. I think we have I.G., R.G., Island Sib, and Pepper... but who is the fifth one??? Are you going to number them like forum fest fotos (just a touch of alliteration) ???

I'm not 100% sure but could it be Costal Laker ? ... or Cabin Fever ? I do believe the one in green is Outlaw

Now perhaps for the next Forum Fest we could have a contest ... hmmm. On second thought forget it. Just imagined who might show up in a Winni.com thong.

1st NH Cavalry · 08-28-2018, 08:53 AM

Great thread! My extended family has been coming to the Weirs for a week-long stay at the Cavalry building since the early 1900's. Our organization, the First NH Cavalry Vets Assoc has been in existence for 140 years or more. The Cavalry vets were the only group to extend their membership to their descendants; therefore we are the only Civil War-related group still in existence at the Weirs NHVA campground. During the week when we have the right to stay in the Cavalry building, the extended family, all descendants of Leavitt Safford of Chesterfield and then Keene, NH, rent many of the other buildings as well. As you can imagine, we have many historical pictures in our scrapbook that have collected over the years and will try to post some here as we can.

Senter Cove Guy · 09-05-2018, 08:27 AM

The link to the Weirs Extensive Timeline in post #1 needs to be fixed:

Correct link is http://www.lwhs.us/weirs/timeline.htm

webmaster · 09-05-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

The link to the Weirs Extensive Timeline in post #1 needs to be fixed:

Correct link is http://www.lwhs.us/weirs/timeline.htm

I fixed it.

04-09-2005, 10:49 PM	#2
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,607 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,984 Times in 1,084 Posts	Yet another wonderful thread, McDude. Before all the historical posts and pictures started, I guess most of us took the area for granted, and didn't think about the rich history of the lakes region, especially the Weirs. I have seen the NH Veterens housing and areas, and knew about the regimental buildings, but somehow they got lost in the arcades, shops, and food places. I remember over the years my parents talked about Irwin's Gardens, and how there were Big Bands that came to entertain. The place would be packed, and they would spend the entire night on the dance floor, jitterbugging, doing the foxtrot, waltzing, doing the two step, polka, etc.. Now for the really exciting thing...The Five bathing beauties... I need a little help. I think we have I.G., R.G., Island Sib, and Pepper... but who is the fifth one??? Are you going to number them like forum fest fotos (just a touch of alliteration) ??? __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-10-2005, 04:38 AM	#3
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,985 Thanks: 2,255 Thanked 783 Times in 559 Posts	For telephone modem users with old computers (like me), this thread takes a long time to load. If you want to view it later, "minimize (-)" this page , and "left-click" open a new window to continue "surfing the Net". It's been 20 minutes, and there are still more photos to go. From what I've seen so far, mcdude is turning this into a "girlie site!" Seriously, I'm wondering if: 1) that Civil War statue is still there 2) The "Lady of the Lake" steamer appears *immense* in the Weirs-1880 image. But in the "Weirs Landing" image, a steamer appears puny. "PhotoShop1880"? 3) What make and model of floatplane is pictured -- with that huge radial engine and prop. (With "The Mount" in the background, it shan't be a Cessna 190 -- but it looks close). BTW: "G.A.R." stands for "Grand Army of the Republic". I'm impressed by the way those Veterans were organized and treated. Holy Moly! Those muskets look REAL! (But they don't appear Civil War-contemporary -- they look like Springfield model 1884). 'Bet they're not there today. Last edited by ApS; 04-10-2005 at 08:40 AM. Reason: Enlarged "musket" photo, noted real muskets/rifles.

04-10-2005, 08:23 AM	#4
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Thanks for that feedback you guys. There are still many, many photos to upload and organize. I will be sure not to 'overpopulate' this thread and will continue with part 2 and 3 in a new thread for ease in uploading. PS - Word has it that the "Loammi Bean Fountain" / Veteran's Statue was erected in 1894 but struck by lightning in 1931 and ruined....More on that to come! Last edited by mcdude; 04-10-2005 at 08:28 AM.

04-10-2005, 10:49 AM	#5
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	You Da Man! McDude The Weirs has been a special place for Betty and I since we were small children, when talking our respective parents into bringing us over there was one of the high point of our yearly vacations! It continued to be special to us after we began dating in out late teens (we usually managed to drive up for a visit together at least a few times a season); to this day going over for some "Wiers Beach Pizza" and eating an ice cream cone while strolling the boardwalk is still high on our list of favorite ways to spend an evening. Thanks a million for this great thread. I look forward to seeing the rest of it! (And to adding Waldo Peppers to our favorites list. Hey, Pepper - incoming! ETA about 2 weeks!) Silver Duck

04-10-2005, 11:51 AM	#6
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	Excellent Dude! Excellent job as usual McDude! Looking forward to more about The Weirs. You really know how to bring the lakes history to life. Thanks for taking the time to give us such a treat. The musket fence is amazing and too bad the fountain was destroyed.

04-09-2005, 05:54 PM	#1
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	In order to keep this thread shorter (for ease in downloading) I've stored the rest of the thread OVER HERE including the "girlie stuff"!!! The rest of the thread will be completed in Parts 2 & 3 etc... The DEPOT Real Photo of the Old Mount at the Weirs Depot. "It was a different Weirs back then, stately and sedate, served by daily trains from the Boston and Lowell area and catering to well-off guests from big cities along the East Coast. Steamships, the most notable of which was the side-wheeler “Mount Washington”, provided leisurely trips around the lake for a mostly affluent clientele that gathered at the Weirs every summer." Source: Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society ----Weirs Excursion Train - 1880s---- CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this schedule To help people attend the Weirs races, Irwin, along with city officials and other local businessmen, worked closely with the local Boston & Maine railroad executives to finalize plans for advancing their mutual interests. Funds were raised for a series of band concerts that were given every Sunday through Labor Day. Music hours were scheduled from 2-3 and 4-5 in the afternoon. The band that regularly performed was the 387th Infantry Band stationed in Laconia and other plans were put in place to help provide amusements for the expected crowds. Railroad officials scheduled special excursion trains that left Boston at 8 o’clock and ended up at the Weirs at 11:20. The trains came to the Weirs not only from Boston, but also Lynn and Lowell, as well as southern NH. Local hotels scheduled special meals to coincide with the arrival of all excursionists. Note the presence of the Laconia Street Electric Railway Company which extended to the Weirs in 1899. CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this image CLICK HERE for a photo of the Weirs Station today. The aftermath of the 1939 fire. __________________________________________________ ____ The MUSIC HALL The Music Hall was founded by the New Hampshire Music Teachers Association for the purpose of holding summer camps, recitals and concerts. The original building sat at approximately the same site as the present day bath house at Endicott Park / Weirs Beach. The facility was actually a roller skating rink that was dismantled and brought up to the Weirs from Concord, NH. the building reverted to its' original use when not in use by the music students. The building was ruined when heavy snow caused the roof to collapse in ????. A new facility was built shortly thereafter on Tower Avenue next to the Methodist Church. the great fire of 1924 started in the Music Hall. __________________________________________________ ____ CLICK HERE to see the continuation of this thread - A Weirs Souvenir - Part 2 Last edited by mcdude; 05-09-2005 at 07:13 AM.

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08-28-2018, 08:53 AM	#8
1st NH Cavalry Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Stoughton, MA Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Great thread! My extended family has been coming to the Weirs for a week-long stay at the Cavalry building since the early 1900's. Our organization, the First NH Cavalry Vets Assoc has been in existence for 140 years or more. The Cavalry vets were the only group to extend their membership to their descendants; therefore we are the only Civil War-related group still in existence at the Weirs NHVA campground. During the week when we have the right to stay in the Cavalry building, the extended family, all descendants of Leavitt Safford of Chesterfield and then Keene, NH, rent many of the other buildings as well. As you can imagine, we have many historical pictures in our scrapbook that have collected over the years and will try to post some here as we can.

09-05-2018, 08:27 AM	#9
Senter Cove Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 605 Thanks: 300 Thanked 431 Times in 142 Posts	Weirs Extensive Time Line The link to the Weirs Extensive Timeline in post #1 needs to be fixed: Correct link is http://www.lwhs.us/weirs/timeline.htm __________________ Lake Winni - The only place I want to be during the summer.

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