center harbor in the 50s and 60s

[Charlie R S taten Island]

I vacationed every year the first 2 weeks of august from 1955 to 1967 on lake shore drive at a place called "Gibbsons sleepy hollow cabins" . they were owned by john and clara (belle) Gibbson. Their niece and her family, who were from boston would come up for the summer to help maintain the property. their names were Arthur and Dotty and their 2 children Dorothy and jimmy. I also remember a local girl named kathy who was good friends with dorothy and would be there almost every day. The gibbsons sold the cabins to walter and marge gardner in the mid 60s, and the cabins were converted into condos in the 70s (and still are there today). I know this was a very long time ago, but was wondering if there is still anyone around who remembers any of this.

[phoenix]

I think we stayed there in 1981 but it was a rental but maybe we stayed close by

[twentworth12]

That’s my Uncle Walt and Aunt Marjorie! Marjorie passed many years ago, and sadly Walt just passed away a few months ago. In addition to owning Sleepy Hollow, they owned the house next door. I drove by it recently and it looks like someone tore it down and built a new house in its spot.

I spent most of my summers growing up at Sleepy Hollow.

[Charlie R S taten Island]

Thank you twentworth for responding! I remember your uncle Walter and aunt Marjorie well. I remember their children Pam, Walt jr. and i believe a younger one also. My father and i helped Walter move items from their home in Montpilier, vt. to center harbor when they first purchased sleepy hollow. I think Waler worked for I B M. I remember he would tow us water skiing with his boat which had a very powerful 28 h.p. Evinrude motor. I know the sleepy hollow cabins were converted into condos and about 5 years ago my wife and i rented one for a week and stayed there. It brought back some great memories! We are actually going up again next month, but were staying by weirs beach. Thanks again!! I do have a few old pictures of "Sleepy Hollow Cabins" from the 60s, but they may be a few years before Walter purchased them. Would be happy to make some copies and send them to you if you would be interested.

[phoenix]

I remember the great bakery around corner and a pharmacy that had a fax machine. I had faxes sent many times but you had to call them first

[JEEPONLY]

Call them crazy!!!
In the Summer of 1966 my parents let my brother, me and my best friend (16-17 yo. all) rent an apartment in Moultonborough. Our family was formerly a summer-season vacationer (Lane's End), but that ended. We knew the contractor who built the original Ossipee shopping plaza out on (the old) Route 16- so that's where we worked in '66.

Anyway- I know that people STILL don't know where the LINE is between C.H and M.- by this reasoning I have always thought of them as one!

Anyway (again), the apartment building was not yet finished, so we lived rent free, as in our "off work time" we did carpentry, painting and landscaping. It was Johnny Dabillis (contractor from Billerica, Ma.) who cut us all the slack for the rent and hired us. We also worked on the garage that, I think, belongs to the Burns'.
The apartment building is still there (so are the old Ossipee shopping Center and garage)- and looking good. It's (apartment building) between the Lacy's building and the former paint store that is now some kind of health resource building(?).

Anyway (#3), my brother owned a (painted with a brush) 1959 MGA, and wouldn't let me drive it- we shopped at Ellen's Store (?)/Post Office (?) and played the "Revolver" album at least 1000 times!

I hope my attachment worked- It's the P.O. receipt from that adventure!

Just some small history of the area.

[Charlie R S taten Island]

thank you jeeponly for your reply.

[skprbob]

In 1962, I started off as a "July Boy" camper at Camp Idlewild, eventually spending 14 summers there. Around now is when mid-season, July boys, would leave and August boys would arrive. In my case, my parents would combine picking me up, then going on a family vacation. They had a favorite place in Center Harbor called the White Diamond Inn which had very comfortable beds and excellent food. We would stay a couple of days there, then move on to a week in Fairlee, VT before heading home to Long Island (NY). Several summers later, now a counsellor at Idlewild, I went for dinner at the White Diamond, only to discover that the restaurant was closed and the motel was now condos. Oh well! At least there are still some good restaurants. Anyone else remember the White Diamond?

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by skprbob

In 1962, I started off as a "July Boy" camper at Camp Idlewild, eventually spending 14 summers there. Around now is when mid-season, July boys, would leave and August boys would arrive. In my case, my parents would combine picking me up, then going on a family vacation. They had a favorite place in Center Harbor called the White Diamond Inn which had very comfortable beds and excellent food. We would stay a couple of days there, then move on to a week in Fairlee, VT before heading home to Long Island (NY). Several summers later, now a counsellor at Idlewild, I went for dinner at the White Diamond, only to discover that the restaurant was closed and the motel was now condos. Oh well! At least there are still some good restaurants. Anyone else remember the White Diamond?

In the 1962 era, Camp Idlewild used to canoe into Lanes End and camp-out in the surrounding woods. They would let us (summer kids) camp with them, which was always so much fun!! Tie food up in the trees (bears), sing around the campfire and enjoy the rainy nights when they happened!
Two regular (for a few years) counselors were guys that were fun people- "Chief" and Ford Eastman.
Anyone remember them?

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by skprbob

In 1962, I started off as a "July Boy" camper at Camp Idlewild, eventually spending 14 summers there. Around now is when mid-season, July boys, would leave and August boys would arrive. In my case, my parents would combine picking me up, then going on a family vacation. They had a favorite place in Center Harbor called the White Diamond Inn which had very comfortable beds and excellent food. We would stay a couple of days there, then move on to a week in Fairlee, VT before heading home to Long Island (NY). Several summers later, now a counsellor at Idlewild, I went for dinner at the White Diamond, only to discover that the restaurant was closed and the motel was now condos. Oh well! At least there are still some good restaurants. Anyone else remember the White Diamond?

Remember it well. Owned by Mark Packard and our favorite restaurant back in the day

[duocat]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Remember it well. Owned by Mark Packard and our favorite restaurant back in the day

Worked at The White Diamond Inn for several years starting in 1971. More fun than working had any right to be.

[Pineedles]

The White Diamond was a place that he "adults" occasionally frequented when I was young staying at our cottage on Alpine Park. I think they had to bring their own booze. The great bakery was Anderson Bakery with the the general convenience store Robbins was next door then the Center Harbor Post Office. I worked at Robbins for one summer, commuting from the cottage to the Mount's Crib, where nobody bothered my 14' Sear's aluminum boat while I was at work. I even remember our PO Box number was 25 and the combination was between F and G, between A and B, and the letter I. We carried the same PO # with us to the new PO next to the Fire station up until only a couple of years ago, nothing but junk mail, so we discontinued it. Great memories then and now, as I will complete 67 summer residence years on the lake this October.

[mowtorman]

Lots going on 60s and 70s. Belknap college and true hippies. EM Heath in the building above the beach road. Robbins Store next to Anderson's Bakery, best Parker House rolls EVER. Nichols Store on the corner across from the library, large blocks of chocolate and clear delicious birch beer. Center Harbor Sports Shop in the realty/rubbing butts space...they would walk down from the sport shop to pump your gas. Dybros House of Gifts next to the church and the giant wrapped gift on a pole. The house was moved behind the current heaths for a long time. The supposed old PT boat that sat next to the Mount drydock under a tarp structure for about 10 years. The old see saws and the summer fire dept. Clam bake by the water. The White Diamond with magic fingers for 25 cents. Great place to stay and ski Loon or Waterville. Watch out for the red buoy it is there for a reason. One occasional town constable around. Always the same Creemee and gas station. Alvords Pharmacy. Jumping off the pilings on the end of the drydock while the mount pulled in to pick up passengers. Very large swells followed the Mount down the bay every time. Pulling into Center.Harbor to see the Mount drifting backwards before it hit a small boathouse after losing the rudder. The fourth of July parade and docks so busy you couldn't find a space. Super fun small town.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by mowtorman

Lots going on 60s and 70s. Belknap college and true hippies. EM Heath in the building above the beach road. Robbins Store next to Anderson's Bakery, best Parker House rolls EVER. Nichols Store on the corner across from the library, large blocks of chocolate and clear delicious birch beer. Center Harbor Sports Shop in the realty/rubbing butts space...they would walk down from the sport shop to pump your gas. Dybros House of Gifts next to the church and the giant wrapped gift on a pole. The house was moved behind the current heaths for a long time. The supposed old PT boat that sat next to the Mount drydock under a tarp structure for about 10 years. The old see saws and the summer fire dept. Clam bake by the water. The White Diamond with magic fingers for 25 cents. Great place to stay and ski Loon or Waterville. Watch out for the red buoy it is there for a reason. One occasional town constable around. Always the same Creemee and gas station. Alvords Pharmacy. Jumping off the pilings on the end of the drydock while the mount pulled in to pick up passengers. Very large swells followed the Mount down the bay every time. Pulling into Center.Harbor to see the Mount drifting backwards before it hit a small boathouse after losing the rudder. The fourth of July parade and docks so busy you couldn't find a space. Super fun small town.

Wonderful memories....also Dave Chases service station next to the old Dari Maid. Dave used to donate a car to an old local named Pete Burnham that he used to dump pick (dump picking used to be allowed : ) Pete would supply rags to the service station. His old station wagon was so full of stuff that he could not see out of the rear or side windows, only the windshield.

[Cutting]

Originally Posted by mowtorman

Lots going on 60s and 70s. Belknap college and true hippies. EM Heath in the building above the beach road. Robbins Store next to Anderson's Bakery, best Parker House rolls EVER. Nichols Store on the corner across from the library, large blocks of chocolate and clear delicious birch beer. Center Harbor Sports Shop in the realty/rubbing butts space...they would walk down from the sport shop to pump your gas. Dybros House of Gifts next to the church and the giant wrapped gift on a pole. The house was moved behind the current heaths for a long time. The supposed old PT boat that sat next to the Mount drydock under a tarp structure for about 10 years. The old see saws and the summer fire dept. Clam bake by the water. The White Diamond with magic fingers for 25 cents. Great place to stay and ski Loon or Waterville. Watch out for the red buoy it is there for a reason. One occasional town constable around. Always the same Creemee and gas station. Alvords Pharmacy. Jumping off the pilings on the end of the drydock while the mount pulled in to pick up passengers. Very large swells followed the Mount down the bay every time. Pulling into Center.Harbor to see the Mount drifting backwards before it hit a small boathouse after losing the rudder. The fourth of July parade and docks so busy you couldn't find a space. Super fun small town.

So I just want to say that you never really experienced Center Harbor unless you were admonished as a child for running or making too much noise descending the ramp that led from the grocery store to the lower level in Heath's.

[phoenix]

There are many camps/ cottages at the end of alpine road so must have been a summer camp all with red roofs and beautiful cut stones walls on the road . Anyone know what it was

[Descant]

I remember every (summer) morning the radio (WLNH?) had a remote broadcast from Center Harbor at 8:50 am called "Meet the Mount" to greet her at her first daily stop.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by Cutting

So I just want to say that you never really experienced Center Harbor unless you were admonished as a child for running or making too much noise descending the ramp that led from the grocery store to the lower level in Heath's.

and don't forget Brooks barber shop above Heath's store.

The current site of red hill dairy started out as a real estate office. there was a bit of a scandal when a woman who worked there was found dead in her home under what seemed at the time to be suspicious circumstances. don't think anything ever came of it.

The building between red hill dairy and bean road was Quoddy Moccasins and then a laundromat for many years with a couple pin ball machines; the only entertainment in town.

Back then Canoe was Longwood Diner

and only real old timers will remember Beef & Bay restaurant which was about where Meredith village savings is now, or maybe the real estate office.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by jbolty

and don't forget Brooks barber shop above Heath's store.

The current site of red hill dairy started out as a real estate office. there was a bit of a scandal when a woman who worked there was found dead in her home under what seemed at the time to be suspicious circumstances. don't think anything ever came of it.

The building between red hill dairy and bean road was Quoddy Moccasins and then a laundromat for many years with a couple pin ball machines; the only entertainment in town.

Back then Canoe was Longwood Diner

and only real old timers will remember Beef & Bay restaurant which was about where Meredith village savings is now, or maybe the real estate office.

Longwood Farms was my first restaurant.Bought from Dick Tower in 1972....Sold to Dick Flynn in 1978
Paul Costly owned th Beef and Bay....he's now in the entertainment business

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Longwood Farms was my first restaurant.Bought from Dick Tower in 1972....Sold to Dick Flynn in 1978
Paul Costly owned th Beef and Bay....he's now in the entertainment business

I went to Longwood Farms before you owned it.

Paul Costly does not ring a bell. Was he the second owner?

I believe Eveline Contigiani was the first owner. She owned a catering company in Laconia and she did all the cooking at the new restaurant. It’s possible she had a partner that I was unaware of.
This was going to be quite the place for the town of Moultonborough. They brought experienced older women from Miami to train the waitresses to be able to work in a high scale restaurant.
It was divided into three sections. There was a snack bar where you go and get a cup of coffee or an ice cream; there was the main dining room and there was a lounge where there were drinks and entertainment.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

I went to Longwood Farms before you owned it.

Paul Costly does not ring a bell. Was he the second owner?

I believe Eveline Contigiani was the first owner. She owned a catering company in Laconia and she did all the cooking at the new restaurant. It’s possible she had a partner that I was unaware of.
This was going to be quite the place for the town of Moultonborough. They brought experienced older women from Miami to train the waitresses to be able to work in a high scale restaurant.
It was divided into three sections. There was a snack bar where you go and get a cup of coffee or an ice cream; there was the main dining room and there was a lounge where there were drinks and entertainment.

I remember going there when the barn was still there and so were the cows.

[John Mercier]

That was when the Smith's owned it.
The dairy bar supplemented the dairy farm.
My father met my mother one summer when she was a teen working there... he was helping Aaron working alongside his father (my grandfather). It was my grandfather that built what would become the dining room.

[WeirsGuard]

John M. - My Grandparents used to own the white house directly across from the Smith's barn / pasture. (Now a Tie-Dye business.) All the grand kids would spend school vacations there and nothing was better than a Frappe from Longwood's. Great place year round.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by tis

I remember going there when the barn was still there and so were the cows.

So, you were born well before 1950? I don't remember the cows, but that wasn't my end of the lake in the 50's, or I was just too young to be aware of cows. Cows, to me,. were the cousins in Chester where I asked my parents for a quarter so I could buy a calf. I think the hands were plaything with me. That site became White Pines College.

[tis]

We used to stop there often on the way back from shopping in Laconia. I can barely remember but I think I do remember how good the ice cream and "frappes" were. My father loved frappes. I think I remember Juke boxes on the tables-maybe that was later, but I think I remember my brother playing songs on them. He was older.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

That was when the Smith's owned it.
The dairy bar supplemented the dairy farm.
My father met my mother one summer when she was a teen working there... he was helping Aaron working alongside his father (my grandfather). It was my grandfather that built what would become the dining room.

Now you're going waaaaay back

[pondguy]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Longwood Farms was my first restaurant.Bought from Dick Tower in 1972....Sold to Dick Flynn in 1978
Paul Costly owned th Beef and Bay....he's now in the entertainment business

What came next The White Hat with fine dining and Rock N Roll ?

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Now you're going waaaaay back

50s and 60s.
My parents can't remember the exact year that Dick bought Longwood from the Smith's; but estimate it would have been the late 60s.