Downing's Landing 2019

Slickcraft · 10-07-2019, 12:30 PM

Pile driving today. A passing "sidewalk supervisor" said that they unexpectedly encountered the remains of an old RR bed buried in the mud adding to the difficulty.

The RR part sounds strange however in the early history of Alton some large boats were launched in the Bay. Dude?

tis · 10-07-2019, 12:57 PM

In the old days, there was a train that went to Alton Bay and some kind of boat picked up passengers and took them to Wolfeboro and I assume other towns on the lake. I know this from old letters that were in my parent's house which was at one time what was called a boarding house. The guests would write to the owners and say they were taking the train to Alton and then a boat to Wolfeboro and the owners could pick them up there. Some guests took the train right to Wolfeboro.

mcdude · 10-07-2019, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

In the old days, there was a train that went to Alton Bay and some kind of boat picked up passengers and took them to Wolfeboro and I assume other towns on the lake. I know this from old letters that were in my parent's house which was at one time what was called a boarding house. The guests would write to the owners and say they were taking the train to Alton and then a boat to Wolfeboro and the owners could pick them up there. Some guests took the train right to Wolfeboro.

The tracks on Alton Bay were on the west side of the bay.....not near the Downing's side.....and you could indeed take a boat from there to Wolfeboro. (The Tonimar was one) You could take the train to Wolfeboro in later years by going up to Sanbornville and then taking the Wolfeboro spur to Wolfeboro. This spur is now a walking trail called the Cotton Valley Rail Trail which is about 14 miles long.

tis · 10-07-2019, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

The tracks on Alton Bay were on the west side of the bay.....not near the Downing's side.....and you could indeed take a boat from there to Wolfeboro. (The Tonimar was one) You could take the train to Wolfeboro in later years by going up to Sanbornville and then taking the Wolfeboro spur to Wolfeboro. This spur is now a walking trail called the Cotton Valley Rail Trail which is about 14 miles long.

Interesting. So the tracks were only on the west side (obviously where the train station still is) and none being on the east side? Do you know how they came in Mcdude? Meaning from the train station that exists now, going south, where did they go? Right through where JP China is now? So you are saying the trains existed in Alton Bay before they did in Wolfeboro?

Wifi-1 · 10-07-2019, 02:17 PM

Lots of history in MDudes post, map on #1

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ead.php?t=1405

mcdude · 10-07-2019, 02:30 PM

If you're facing J.P. China you can see where the tracks used to run just to the right. There was a bridge over the tracks at the beginning of Rand Hill Road. There was another bridge right in the middle of beautiful downtown Alton. The line coming up to Alton from Dover, NH was called the Cocheco Railroad, so named because it followed the Cocheco River. Find more info in this thread; https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...hlight=cocheco

tis · 10-07-2019, 02:57 PM

Ok. Interesting. So are you saying the trains that went to Wolfeboro were freight only not passenger? And eventually they did bring passengers?

8gv · 10-07-2019, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

That train service looks attractive even today!

Slickcraft · 10-07-2019, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Interesting. So the tracks were only on the west side (obviously where the train station still is) and none being on the east side? Do you know how they came in Mcdude? Meaning from the train station that exists now, going south, where did they go? Right through where JP China is now? So you are saying the trains existed in Alton Bay before they did in Wolfeboro?

On the west side, as mcdude says, going south next to JP China. The tracks then crossed the river over Letter S Road, old bridge abutments are still there. Then across Main St and behind Town Hall and next to the police station where the B&M Railroad Park is now. Then south parallel to Rt 11, much of the old bed is now snowmobile trail.

As far as I know there were no B&M RR tracks on the Downing's Landing side.

In 1871 - 1872 the original Mt Washington was constructed in Alton Bay and launched from there. I don't know where in the Bay it was launched from.

JADAQ · 10-07-2019, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

On the west side, as mcdude says, going south next to JP China. The tracks then crossed the river over Letter S Road, old bridge abutments are still there. Then across Main St and behind Town Hall and next to the police station where the B&M Railroad Park is now. Then south parallel to Rt 11, much of the old bed is now snowmobile trail.

As far as I know there were no B&M RR tracks on the Downing's Landing side.

In 1871 - 1872 the original Mt Washington was constructed in Alton Bay and launched from there. I don't know where in the Bay it was launched from.

It’s old cribbing from launching the old boats back in the day. The Fish and Game were told that they would most likely encounter this problem, they didn’t listen and carried on with their plan anyway.
I was told that this project will now go all the way through next year and they won’t be done until at least next fall.
Sooo, this means no parking for snowmobile trailers and ice fishermen this winter.

mcdude · 10-07-2019, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Pile driving today. A passing "sidewalk supervisor" said that they unexpectedly encountered the remains of an old RR bed buried in the mud adding to the difficulty.

The RR part sounds strange however in the early history of Alton some large boats were launched in the Bay. Dude?

There was a mini-train amusement park ride in Downing's lot at one time. Could that have been it?

Also I seem to recall a large boat (the Winni Belle?) towed up Rt. 11 from the seacoast and launched in this general area. Perhaps they used some kind of RR track/bed to get it into the water?

mcdude · 10-07-2019, 01:34 PM

Launching of the Winni Belle at Alton Bay 1998 or 99 - photo by Sunset BoB

Biggd · 10-07-2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

Launching of the Winni Belle at Alton Bay 1998 or 99 - photo by Sunset BoB

If they could only recreate what's in this last picture on that same spot. That's awesome!

upthesaukee · 10-07-2019, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Pile driving today. A passing "sidewalk supervisor" said that they unexpectedly encountered the remains of an old RR bed buried in the mud adding to the difficulty.

The RR part sounds strange however in the early history of Alton some large boats were launched in the Bay. Dude?

When I came by just before 4pm, they were taking out the dam and stacking it in the parking lot.

Dave

camp guy · 10-07-2019, 07:31 PM

This whole series of posts, questions and answers, historical in nature, is an example of what Winnipesaukee.com is all about. For the most part, I do think this site stays within its own boundaries, much to the credit and benefit of the members. but, as we all know, there have been "those moments" during which the boundaries get stretched.

Thanks to all for this series of posts. McDude - you are a rock star!

10-07-2019, 02:30 PM	#6
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,343 Thanks: 370 Thanked 1,033 Times in 480 Posts	If you're facing J.P. China you can see where the tracks used to run just to the right. There was a bridge over the tracks at the beginning of Rand Hill Road. There was another bridge right in the middle of beautiful downtown Alton. The line coming up to Alton from Dover, NH was called the Cocheco Railroad, so named because it followed the Cocheco River. Find more info in this thread; https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...hlight=cocheco __________________

10-07-2019, 01:34 PM	#12
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,343 Thanks: 370 Thanked 1,033 Times in 480 Posts	Launching of the Winni Belle at Alton Bay 1998 or 99 - photo by Sunset BoB __________________

10-07-2019, 07:31 PM	#15
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Downing's Landing This whole series of posts, questions and answers, historical in nature, is an example of what Winnipesaukee.com is all about. For the most part, I do think this site stays within its own boundaries, much to the credit and benefit of the members. but, as we all know, there have been "those moments" during which the boundaries get stretched. Thanks to all for this series of posts. McDude - you are a rock star!

10-07-2019, 12:30 PM	#1
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,387 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	Pile driving today. A passing "sidewalk supervisor" said that they unexpectedly encountered the remains of an old RR bed buried in the mud adding to the difficulty. The RR part sounds strange however in the early history of Alton some large boats were launched in the Bay. Dude? Attached Images

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Top-Water (10-07-2019)

10-07-2019, 12:57 PM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,946 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	In the old days, there was a train that went to Alton Bay and some kind of boat picked up passengers and took them to Wolfeboro and I assume other towns on the lake. I know this from old letters that were in my parent's house which was at one time what was called a boarding house. The guests would write to the owners and say they were taking the train to Alton and then a boat to Wolfeboro and the owners could pick them up there. Some guests took the train right to Wolfeboro.

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Biggd (10-07-2019)

10-07-2019, 02:17 PM	#5
Wifi-1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 211 Thanks: 181 Thanked 87 Times in 57 Posts	Lots of history in MDudes post, map on #1 https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ead.php?t=1405

10-07-2019, 02:57 PM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,946 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	Ok. Interesting. So are you saying the trains that went to Wolfeboro were freight only not passenger? And eventually they did bring passengers?

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Biggd (10-07-2019)

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Top-Water (10-07-2019)