Camp Belknap - circa 1937

mcdude · 12-19-2004, 06:39 PM

A promotional brochure of the camp gives a glimpse of what camp life on the lake was like back in 1937. Stay tuned for the 1917 brochure coming shortly.

click here for 2005 brochure. Requires Acrobat Reader

Click here
for link to pictures from the past and link to home page on the Camp Belknap website.

Click here for a thread on the forum that inspired my interest in lake camps.

Frdxplorer · 12-20-2004, 11:30 AM

Thanks MCDude, that is awesome. I was a six year camper in the mid/late 90's. I am curious if you have shared your find with the camp itself. I am sure they would be very interested in seeing it. Also, have you seen the Camp Belknap Centennial Celebration book by John Grossman. It was published for Camp's centennial celebration last year. It is facinating and gives a great historical look at camp. If you haven't yet seen it, I suggest going over to camp and asking if you can take a look in their library. I am sure they have a copy. Or, if you are far from the lake at this time of year, and are looking for a nice read on a snowy afternoon, let me know and I'll ship it up to you to borrow. It does a great job of documenting the decades of camp history on the lake. Thanks for a great post. I look forward to more. Happy Holidays!!

mcdude · 12-20-2004, 12:45 PM

Here's another link that got me interested in the lake camps. There are many photos chronicling the destruction of Camp Alton and the building of the Bahre Estate. Click for link

dpg · 12-21-2004, 06:28 AM

The camp is "conducted for normal boys" What's that mean? Just try printing something like that today.

Frdxplorer · 12-21-2004, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

The camp is "conducted for normal boys" What's that mean? Just try printing something like that today.

Pretty wild isn't it. Thank goodness the good traits of camp like its motto, "God first, the other fellow second, myself last" , and respect for nature have endured, and they have also managed to move beyond what you mention and become a camp that is very diverse and accepting. Camp does a great job of providing scholarships for many boys who may otherwise never see such natural beauty in their life.

Grant · 12-21-2004, 10:42 AM

McDude -- THANKS for posting. That's quite a find! Where did you get it?

Some history: In that first group shot of the folks sitting down the older gent in the glasses and the woman next to him are "Pa" and "Ma" Conlon, who were the directors from 1920-1938. The big lodge with the porch that is visible from the Lake is named after them. The fellow sitting next to the other woman is Hank Adams, who was at the Camp when I was there not only when I was there in the 1970s, but right up into the 1990s (I can't say exactly how long Hank was there, but I will say at least 60 years!). He was associated with the camp longer than anyone, and he and his wife Ruth, who died before him, were bona fide Belknap institutions. Hank taught school in the "off season," and helped my cousin by tutoring him during the summer. He was a tireless fund raiser for the camp, and a living resident historian, and a gentleman who embodied the spirit and tradition of the place.

I was a camper at Belknap for seven years, an employee for one year. My brother was a ten-year guy. My oldest son is heading back for his seventh year this summer, and my youngest will enjoy his first year under the pines.

Here's a great picture of Hank and Ruth Adams, which appears to have been taken in the 1970s.

mcdude · 12-21-2004, 08:16 PM

Here's a preview. Don't have time to post the whole thing as I have to go and wrap Christmas gifts!

gtxrider · 12-21-2004, 11:12 PM

Do you think the kids today would wear the uniforms that are described in the brochure?

mcdude, You need not wrap mine.

Grant · 12-22-2004, 08:47 AM

I still have my "all-camp" swim meet medals from Belknap. Those were the days -- when teams from all the Lake camps would convene at Belknap for an all-day swim meet. Belknap, Wyanoke, Alton, Dewitt, and others all came. Back in those days, inter-camp sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, riflery, archery) were very competitive and lots of fun. They usually formed 12 & under and 15 & under teams for each sport.

We also still have my grandfather's old swimming medals from Wyanoke.

Frdxplorer · 12-22-2004, 09:47 AM

An interesting note on Conlon Lodge that Grant described. Many years ago, the lodge was apparently visible from Abenaki Tower before being overtaken by the enormous pines.

Grant · 12-22-2004, 09:56 AM

Having been up the tower more times than I could possibly count, I'd think that the pines in question would have to be those on Farm Island. That being said, I've never seen Conlon from the new Abenaki Tower (dedicated 7/22/78).

The link below goes to a recent (2003, I believe) Abenaki Tower pan that I shot. Clearly visible in the left-hand side of picture are Chase Point and "Little Huck" (known in circles outside of Belknap as "Melvin Island"). If Conlon Lodge were to be visible from this vantage point, it would be below and to the left of Mount Major -- an area obscured by the oaks in the foreground. So we can't even see Farm Island -- but if anything would obscure the view of Conlon from Abenaki, it would be the pines on Farm Island.

Grant · 12-22-2004, 10:04 AM

The link referenced above:

http://www.pbase.com/gfevans/image/3447008/original

Frdxplorer · 12-22-2004, 01:03 PM

Grant,

Very awesome shot. I got that little piece of info from the Centennial Book and I don't recall that it said which pines ultimately blocked the view, but I believe you are right on in your assumption.

Grant · 12-22-2004, 02:57 PM

That book is PHENOMENAL. However, soon after I brough it home, it disappeared to my son's room, and I haven't seen it since. I would love to sit down and read the entire thing. The photos are incredible, too. I figured that's where that bit of information came from! Very cool.

fmgate · 12-22-2004, 05:52 PM

Nice posts of the items from 1918 & 1937, mcdude. Where did you find them?

mcdude · 12-22-2004, 07:09 PM

gtxrider: I wish you told me sooner. Your present is already wrapped!

The End

mcdude · 03-26-2005, 03:06 PM

Here's a photo postcard of the Camp Belknap Speedboat taken by Beardsley Studios in Wolfeboro. Date is 1937.

GScharoff · 06-16-2005, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

Here's another link that got me interested in the lake camps. There are many photos chronicling the destruction of Camp Alton and the building of the Bahre Estate. Click for link

I'm a little late on the thread but thanks for the plug on the Camp Alton website...it has been fun collecting the information from all the past campers and counselors but a bit depressing as well.

Gary Scharoff
Webmaster
www.campalton.com

GScharoff · 06-16-2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

I still have my "all-camp" swim meet medals from Belknap. Those were the days -- when teams from all the Lake camps would convene at Belknap for an all-day swim meet. Belknap, Wyanoke, Alton, Dewitt, and others all came. Back in those days, inter-camp sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, riflery, archery) were very competitive and lots of fun. They usually formed 12 & under and 15 & under teams for each sport.

We also still have my grandfather's old swimming medals from Wyanoke.

Hey Grant...I too remember the "all-camp" swim meets...did them in 1970-1973 for Camp Alton - started in the 12 & under and finished in the 15 & unders - never medaled but really enjoyed the competition. My best sport was baseball and did play on the those teams as well.

mcdude · 06-22-2005, 06:51 PM

Old Postcard postmarked 1943.
"To: Mr. Gerry Borham
Roosevelt Hotel
Hollywood, California
Dear Dad - Thanks for the 2 dollars you sent me for my birthday yesterday I caught 2 Bass one was 9 in the 0ther 10 in the doc said the 9 inch one was too small but it wasnt the one I ate tasted like chicken love Gus"

and here's the front page of a 1975 Masqua yearbook showing the tall pine grove surrounding Conlon Hall.

12-19-2004, 06:39 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	Camp Belknap - circa 1937 & 1917 A promotional brochure of the camp gives a glimpse of what camp life on the lake was like back in 1937. Stay tuned for the 1917 brochure coming shortly. click here for 2005 brochure. Requires Acrobat Reader Click here for link to pictures from the past and link to home page on the Camp Belknap website. Click here for a thread on the forum that inspired my interest in lake camps. Last edited by mcdude; 01-07-2005 at 01:16 PM.

12-20-2004, 12:45 PM	#3
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	The Destruction of Camp Alton Here's another link that got me interested in the lake camps. There are many photos chronicling the destruction of Camp Alton and the building of the Bahre Estate. Click for link

12-21-2004, 08:16 PM	#7
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	1918 Brochure Here's a preview. Don't have time to post the whole thing as I have to go and wrap Christmas gifts!

12-21-2004, 11:12 PM	#8
gtxrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 1,030 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	Uniforms Do you think the kids today would wear the uniforms that are described in the brochure? mcdude, You need not wrap mine.

12-22-2004, 08:47 AM	#9
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 375 Thanked 230 Times in 124 Posts	Ribbons I still have my "all-camp" swim meet medals from Belknap. Those were the days -- when teams from all the Lake camps would convene at Belknap for an all-day swim meet. Belknap, Wyanoke, Alton, Dewitt, and others all came. Back in those days, inter-camp sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, riflery, archery) were very competitive and lots of fun. They usually formed 12 & under and 15 & under teams for each sport. We also still have my grandfather's old swimming medals from Wyanoke.

12-20-2004, 11:30 AM	#2
Frdxplorer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: York, PA Posts: 234 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks MCDude, that is awesome. I was a six year camper in the mid/late 90's. I am curious if you have shared your find with the camp itself. I am sure they would be very interested in seeing it. Also, have you seen the Camp Belknap Centennial Celebration book by John Grossman. It was published for Camp's centennial celebration last year. It is facinating and gives a great historical look at camp. If you haven't yet seen it, I suggest going over to camp and asking if you can take a look in their library. I am sure they have a copy. Or, if you are far from the lake at this time of year, and are looking for a nice read on a snowy afternoon, let me know and I'll ship it up to you to borrow. It does a great job of documenting the decades of camp history on the lake. Thanks for a great post. I look forward to more. Happy Holidays!!

12-21-2004, 06:28 AM	#4
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,591 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	The camp is "conducted for normal boys" What's that mean? Just try printing something like that today.

12-21-2004, 10:42 AM	#6
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 375 Thanked 230 Times in 124 Posts	McDude -- THANKS for posting. That's quite a find! Where did you get it? Some history: In that first group shot of the folks sitting down the older gent in the glasses and the woman next to him are "Pa" and "Ma" Conlon, who were the directors from 1920-1938. The big lodge with the porch that is visible from the Lake is named after them. The fellow sitting next to the other woman is Hank Adams, who was at the Camp when I was there not only when I was there in the 1970s, but right up into the 1990s (I can't say exactly how long Hank was there, but I will say at least 60 years!). He was associated with the camp longer than anyone, and he and his wife Ruth, who died before him, were bona fide Belknap institutions. Hank taught school in the "off season," and helped my cousin by tutoring him during the summer. He was a tireless fund raiser for the camp, and a living resident historian, and a gentleman who embodied the spirit and tradition of the place. I was a camper at Belknap for seven years, an employee for one year. My brother was a ten-year guy. My oldest son is heading back for his seventh year this summer, and my youngest will enjoy his first year under the pines. Here's a great picture of Hank and Ruth Adams, which appears to have been taken in the 1970s.

12-22-2004, 09:47 AM	#10
Frdxplorer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: York, PA Posts: 234 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	An interesting note on Conlon Lodge that Grant described. Many years ago, the lodge was apparently visible from Abenaki Tower before being overtaken by the enormous pines.

12-22-2004, 09:56 AM	#11
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 375 Thanked 230 Times in 124 Posts	Conlon from Abenaki Having been up the tower more times than I could possibly count, I'd think that the pines in question would have to be those on Farm Island. That being said, I've never seen Conlon from the new Abenaki Tower (dedicated 7/22/78). The link below goes to a recent (2003, I believe) Abenaki Tower pan that I shot. Clearly visible in the left-hand side of picture are Chase Point and "Little Huck" (known in circles outside of Belknap as "Melvin Island"). If Conlon Lodge were to be visible from this vantage point, it would be below and to the left of Mount Major -- an area obscured by the oaks in the foreground. So we can't even see Farm Island -- but if anything would obscure the view of Conlon from Abenaki, it would be the pines on Farm Island.

12-22-2004, 10:04 AM	#12
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 375 Thanked 230 Times in 124 Posts	Duh The link referenced above: http://www.pbase.com/gfevans/image/3447008/original

The Following User Says Thank You to Grant For This Useful Post:
JacksonB (11-09-2013)

12-22-2004, 01:03 PM	#13
Frdxplorer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: York, PA Posts: 234 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Grant, Very awesome shot. I got that little piece of info from the Centennial Book and I don't recall that it said which pines ultimately blocked the view, but I believe you are right on in your assumption.

12-22-2004, 02:57 PM	#14
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 375 Thanked 230 Times in 124 Posts	Belknap Book That book is PHENOMENAL. However, soon after I brough it home, it disappeared to my son's room, and I haven't seen it since. I would love to sit down and read the entire thing. The photos are incredible, too. I figured that's where that bit of information came from! Very cool.

12-22-2004, 05:52 PM	#15
fmgate Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 43 Thanks: 10 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Nice posts of the items from 1918 & 1937, mcdude. Where did you find them?

12-22-2004, 07:09 PM	#16
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	gtxrider: I wish you told me sooner. Your present is already wrapped! The End Last edited by mcdude; 12-23-2004 at 06:35 PM.

03-26-2005, 03:06 PM	#17
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	Here's a photo postcard of the Camp Belknap Speedboat taken by Beardsley Studios in Wolfeboro. Date is 1937. Last edited by mcdude; 04-01-2005 at 09:23 AM.

06-22-2005, 06:51 PM	#20
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	Old Postcard Old Postcard postmarked 1943. "To: Mr. Gerry Borham Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood, California Dear Dad - Thanks for the 2 dollars you sent me for my birthday yesterday I caught 2 Bass one was 9 in the 0ther 10 in the doc said the 9 inch one was too small but it wasnt the one I ate tasted like chicken love Gus" and here's the front page of a 1975 Masqua yearbook showing the tall pine grove surrounding Conlon Hall. Last edited by mcdude; 01-08-2006 at 05:46 PM.