Oak Birch Inn - Alton Bay

[mcdude]

This is the scanned version of an old brochure for the Oak Birch Inn. Date Unknown. This brochure is 'on loan' from the "Lakehouse Collection". Thanks.
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Photos of the 1989 Fire.... (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=15029)

More Oak Birch Photos (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=15027&si=&page=2&sort=1&perpage=15&password=&ppuser=&what=&name=&=)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15027/medium/20scanoakbirchpainting2.jpg
Oil Painting by Bren Boudrow - 1993

[mcdude]

Here's another brochure from the same era when the Inn was managed by Mrs. C. G. Franics. Much of the text is the same and images are predominantly postcards of Alton Bay posted elsewhere on this site, so I'll only post a few highlights.

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"The dark paneled dining room was very popular with the local residents. Evenings, a guest could motor or sail to the Oak Birch Inn dock then enjoy dinner or a fun-filled evening at the movies, bowling alley, or visit the lounge. Some of the older residents even remember the days of the big bands and dances, with ladies in long dresses sweeping down the staircase. the bowling alley was also fondly remembered by bowling enthusiasts staying at the inn and town residents too.

When Richard and Myde Stocker of Peabody, MA, bought the inn in 1982, they were determined to preserve the historic qualities of this landmark. the rustic pine wainscoating and massive brick fireplaces were highlighted with additions from old hotels that had been demolished. The Stockers added chairs and chandeliers from the old Narragansett Hotel in Kennebunkport and tavern chairs from the famous Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel in New Castle, New Hampshire.

There was a large porch that wrapped around the sides and front of the inn. When the row of white rocking chairs was sighted it was a sure sign that inn was opening soon and ready for another busy summer season."
from "Winnipiseogee Heritage" A project of the Alton High School U.S. History Class.


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"......the sun actually disappears in an instant of time. One minute it shines in its full glory and the next drops from view behind the rugged hills, leaving the heavens aglow with gold and silver, which change into a perfect panorama of colors and shades until the twilight is enveloped in darkness.".

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Inn and CASINO! Tichnor Linen Card dated in the 1940s (illegible)
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(A Tichnor Card - the best) Thanks again to Lakehouse for contributing these images for the enjoyment of all forum fanatics.

Anyone have any idea where the Eagle's Outlook is? (or was?)

The End

[SIKSUKR]

Great stuff as usual McD.I thought it was interesting how the guys in the photo of the boats getting ready to race were wearing suits and ties.Should we make this manditory dress on the lake today? SS

[nj2nh]

I have a bunch of Oak Birch Inn postcards and remember going there as a kid when it was a movie theater. They only seemed to show slightly older movies. I distinctly remember the ad for "On A Clear Day." That must have been in the early 70's.

When did it burn down? I can't quite remember anymore. It seems to have been an empty lot for such a long time now.

Jersey Girl

[JicJac]

Hi ya'll. This is my first post here.

I was born and raised in Portsmouth, NH, and moved to SC back in the early 70's.

My uncle Russ Caswell owned and operated the Oak Birch Inn for several years in the 60's. If anyone reading this post knew him, I'd like to hear from you.

My family (Mom, Dad, seven kids) spent many wonderful summer days at the inn, cruising the lake in Russ's cabin cruiser and swimming off the Oak Birch pier.

I remember seeing movies like Operation Petticoat (Tony Curtis 1959) and Pillow Talk at the Oak Birch Theatre.

When I was in my late teens, I would drive my 64 1/2 Mustang 2+2 to Alton, stay at the inn by myself and attend teen dances upstairs in the "bowling alley" building next to the inn.

I believe the Levy family purchased the inn from my uncle, but I could be wrong.

Oh, and as I remember the Inn burned down on April 3rd.... My birthday.

Looking forward to enjoying this forum,

JicJac

[SIKSUKR]

Welcome aboard JicJac.You'll find a lot of great info and history here,especially from our resident historian McDude.

[mcdude]

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15027/oakbirchmovies.jpg
Image courtesy of the R. Banfield Collection. Thanks!
Ladies Man - Jerry Lewis
http://humor.about.com/library/weekly/aa042299.htm

The Misfits - Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable
http://www.marilynmonroe.com/about/movies/misfits.html

The Alamo - John Wayne
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053580/

[mcdude]

Ad for the Oak Birch Inn in the 1950 "Where to Stay in the Lakes Region" Magazine.
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Click Below to Super-size this image....

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[mcdude]

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Old Photopostcard.
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[Just Sold]

McD,

Thanks for the post card post. If you look at the building on the left you will see the sign for the bowling alley which was one lane I believe and utilized a "pin boy" to reset the pins for each frame. I was in the building only once in the mid 50's and it was still operational then but I do not remember when it was closed. No jokes now about my age for remembering the old alley.:laugh:

[mcdude]

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Postmark 1914

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Postmark 1929

Click here to see the complete OAK BIRCH INN PHOTO GALLERY (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=15027)