History of Lake Shore Park

[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

[upthesaukee]

My mom's aunt and uncle were Jim and Millie Foster. They were Scottish immigrants that lived in Andover MA. On a trip up to the lake by train, they saw the lake and the mountains, and Uncle Jim said that this area was the closest he would get to Scotland without traveling back there. Initially he had a platform with a wall tent and eventually built a cabin which he called the "Wee Hoose", Scottish dialect for little house. It was 71 years ago that I first came the lake as an infant. Since 1946, I have only missed a couple of years at the lake while I was I the military. Lots of memories of dances for the little kids, then being put to bed, and a group of parents would make the rounds of the camps to make sure the kids were ok. (Try doing that today!)(Of course, once you were put to bed, you stayed there. ) Don't know if the Wee Hoose is still there.

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[Dickie B from HB]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

My mom's aunt and uncle were Jim and Millie Foster. They were Scottish immigrants that lived in Andover MA. On a trip up to the lake by train, they saw the lake and the mountains, and Uncle Jim said that this area was the closest he would get to Scotland without traveling back there. Initially he had a platform with a wall tent and eventually built a cabin which he called the "Wee Hoose", Scottish dialect for little house. It was 71 years ago that I first came the lake as an infant. Since 1946, I have only missed a couple of years at the lake while I was I the military. Lots of memories of dances for the little kids, then being put to bed, and a group of parents would make the rounds of the camps to make sure the kids were ok. (Try doing that today!)(Of course, once you were put to bed, you stayed there. ) Don't know if the Wee Hoose is still there.

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I remember seeing the Wee Hoose as a kid. We lived four cabins down from Mini-Ha-Ha (now Elacoya). We would come up to the lake from New Jersey at the end of June and go back just before Labor Day. I always thought that no one in New Jersey had better summers than we did. It was truly a blessing to spend the summer each year at Lake Shore Park.

[KennyB]

Good Morning. Found this forum yesterday searching for - wait for lt - history of Lake Shore Park. What a treasure. Both LSP and the forum.

My grandfather Clarence Lyons and grandmother Angie purchased a small trailer, airstream type, with porch when I was a baby, probably 1958ish. He had a huge wooden boat that was parked on rail road during the winters and fought to get into and out of the marina next to the gas station which was pictured. It was an arch. My parents rebuilt in 1980 when the sewer collector was installed and enjoy LSP to this very year.

Dad was on the board of directors for a term, to include chairman. Dave Berry continues to be a LSP figure with his walking stick and big hats. Loved to sail until he couldn’t any longer.

As a child, mom would bring us up to the lake for the summer and homestead until Labor Day. Sylvia, or Sally, brings children, grandchildren, and now greatgrand children to the lake at every opportunity. It’s a safe and nurchering place to be.

Can anyone tell me when LSP Association purchased the park?

[SIKSUKR]

Forum member SteveA here seemed to be the expert on LSP. Have not see much activity from him lately.

[chachee52]

LSP was bought by the members in 1975.
And last winter was a sad time in the park when SteveA passed away.

[Major]

Originally Posted by chachee52

LSP was bought by the members in 1975.
And last winter was a sad time in the park when SteveA passed away.

I just read that a classmate of mine at WPI, Susan Lindberg Shanahan, passed away recently. It said that she owned a home at LSP. Hadn't seen her since 1987, but she was a very nice person. Very sad.

[strum]

"Major" yes she did own a home in LSP with her family. Her grandparents vincent and Isabell Mercadante also lived in LSP for many many years..

[chachee52]

It is amazing that the Pier is still about the same (some alteration have been made through the years to hold off ice damage) but that beach part is significantly smaller now, there are a couple cottages in that area.

[RAY WHALER]

Originally Posted by KennyB

Good Morning. Found this forum yesterday searching for - wait for lt - history of Lake Shore Park. What a treasure. Both LSP and the forum.

My grandfather Clarence Lyons and grandmother Angie purchased a small trailer, airstream type, with porch when I was a baby, probably 1958ish. He had a huge wooden boat that was parked on rail road during the winters and fought to get into and out of the marina next to the gas station which was pictured. It was an arch. My parents rebuilt in 1980 when the sewer collector was installed and enjoy LSP to this very year.

Dad was on the board of directors for a term, to include chairman. Dave Berry continues to be a LSP figure with his walking stick and big hats. Loved to sail until he couldn’t any longer.

As a child, mom would bring us up to the lake for the summer and homestead until Labor Day. Sylvia, or Sally, brings children, grandchildren, and now greatgrand children to the lake at every opportunity. It’s a safe and nurchering place to be.

Can anyone tell me when LSP Association purchased the park?

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[sawyerpoint]

Hi All,
We have just joined the Forum. I am writing a history of Sawyer Point in Tuftonboro for a book celebrating the area and the 50th anniversary of our Sawyer Point Road Association in 2021.
I'm interested in the Caverly, Piper, Edgerly and Sawyer families who owned property on Sawyer Point. Also any other information or anecdotes about the area would be welcome.
Thank you,
Sawyer Point

[Descant]

Welcome to the Forum. I sent you a PM.

[cyberz51]

many memories from 60's and on in front of baby beach

dad's cousin Ralph William Williams painted many of the Breck Girls portraits that were used in Breck shampoo advertising. He used to work on these portraits while looking out at baby beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. They were on the back of better homes and gardens and many others