Endicott Rock

Rattlesnake Gal · 02-02-2005, 01:09 PM

In 1652 a surveying party from Massachusetts Bay Colony under the direction of Governor John Endicott was sent out to find the northernmost boundary of its territory to settle a dispute with the inhabitants of Strawberry Banke. This rock was conveniently located at the mouth of the Merrimack River where it issues out of Lake Winnipiseogee. (Winnipesaukee)

On August 1, 1652 the rock was chiseled with the initials of their Governor and those present at the expedition.

The boulder was rediscovered in 1833 when the channel was being deepened to allow for passage between Lake Paugus and Lake Winnipesaukee for the steamboat Belknap.
(Notice the steamboat Mount Washington in the background headed to the pier.)

The dredging eventually became a breakwater, with the west side of the channel not filled in.

In 1892 a granite enclosure was erected by the state and dedicated with ceremonies.

The wooden footbridge was replaced by steel in 1901.

The Indian statue, known as “Captain Jack” was added in 1901, which can be seen in old photographs - a gift from Dr. J. Alonso Greene of Long Island.

In 1984 the statue was severely damaged by vandals. Captain Jack was restored by the state and now resides in the Gale Memorial Library in Laconia.

From the McDude Gallery

1938 the Channel breakwater was back filled and continued around the monument.

Prior to the protective granite enclosure, measures to preserve the rock were made by elevating and placing it on a firm support of stone.
An iron band was passed around it and an iron bolt passed through it from one side to the other.
This photograph was taken August 28, 1885, by F. W. Fowler of Salisbury Massachusetts, later a resident of Laconia.

This present day shot of the top of the rock clearly shows the crack, which prompted the iron bolt.

Photo from the JG1222 Gallery
June 5, 2006 a new statue was dedicated:

Sculpture Honors a Native Son
Bronze replaces lost statue overlooking Weirs Beach

From the McDude Gallery

Just Sold · 02-02-2005, 04:40 PM

Thanks RG, Great Post! I give it an "Amazing"

Boardwalk Bluesboy · 12-30-2006, 02:25 PM

What year was the channel filled in to become part of Endicott Park and the steel walkway over the water to the monument removed?

There is another post on the history forum titled "Weirs Beach Dedicates Statue at Endicott Rock" and a link to a Weirs Times article there that is very interesting.

The original "Captain Jack" statue is now at the Laconia Library, and the next time I visit, I hope to take a close-up picture of Captain Jack - all historical photos and postcards show the statue from a distance without any clear detail.

mcdude · 01-01-2007, 05:47 PM

Some views of Endicott Rock and Captain Jack.

Note the OLD Mount in the distance.

CLICK HERE to SUPERSIZE the IMAGE

CLICK HERE for RELATED THREAD

gonetoolong · 01-26-2007, 10:57 AM

Hi folks, this is my first post. I moved away from Meredith a long time ago but know it looks like I'll be moving back in the near future and I am REALLY looking forward to it!

Do any of you remember, in the early 60's, two delinquent teenagers painting the Indian at Endicott rock orange?

02-02-2005, 01:09 PM	#1
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Endicott Rock In 1652 a surveying party from Massachusetts Bay Colony under the direction of Governor John Endicott was sent out to find the northernmost boundary of its territory to settle a dispute with the inhabitants of Strawberry Banke. This rock was conveniently located at the mouth of the Merrimack River where it issues out of Lake Winnipiseogee. (Winnipesaukee) On August 1, 1652 the rock was chiseled with the initials of their Governor and those present at the expedition. The boulder was rediscovered in 1833 when the channel was being deepened to allow for passage between Lake Paugus and Lake Winnipesaukee for the steamboat Belknap. (Notice the steamboat Mount Washington in the background headed to the pier.) The dredging eventually became a breakwater, with the west side of the channel not filled in. In 1892 a granite enclosure was erected by the state and dedicated with ceremonies. The wooden footbridge was replaced by steel in 1901. The Indian statue, known as “Captain Jack” was added in 1901, which can be seen in old photographs - a gift from Dr. J. Alonso Greene of Long Island. In 1984 the statue was severely damaged by vandals. Captain Jack was restored by the state and now resides in the Gale Memorial Library in Laconia. From the McDude Gallery 1938 the Channel breakwater was back filled and continued around the monument. Prior to the protective granite enclosure, measures to preserve the rock were made by elevating and placing it on a firm support of stone. An iron band was passed around it and an iron bolt passed through it from one side to the other. This photograph was taken August 28, 1885, by F. W. Fowler of Salisbury Massachusetts, later a resident of Laconia. This present day shot of the top of the rock clearly shows the crack, which prompted the iron bolt. Photo from the JG1222 Gallery June 5, 2006 a new statue was dedicated: Sculpture Honors a Native Son Bronze replaces lost statue overlooking Weirs Beach From the McDude Gallery From the McDude Gallery From the McDude Gallery From the McDude Gallery Last edited by Rattlesnake Gal; 10-22-2010 at 02:34 PM.

02-02-2005, 04:40 PM	#2
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	Thanks RG, Great Post! I give it an "Amazing" __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

12-30-2006, 02:25 PM	#3
Boardwalk Bluesboy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 99 Thanks: 0 Thanked 42 Times in 21 Posts	Endicott Park What year was the channel filled in to become part of Endicott Park and the steel walkway over the water to the monument removed? There is another post on the history forum titled "Weirs Beach Dedicates Statue at Endicott Rock" and a link to a Weirs Times article there that is very interesting. The original "Captain Jack" statue is now at the Laconia Library, and the next time I visit, I hope to take a close-up picture of Captain Jack - all historical photos and postcards show the statue from a distance without any clear detail. __________________ Robert Ames Webmaster WeirsBeach.com

01-26-2007, 10:57 AM	#5
gonetoolong Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 40 Thanks: 12 Thanked 24 Times in 8 Posts	painting the indian Hi folks, this is my first post. I moved away from Meredith a long time ago but know it looks like I'll be moving back in the near future and I am REALLY looking forward to it! Do any of you remember, in the early 60's, two delinquent teenagers painting the Indian at Endicott rock orange?

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rattlesnake Gal For This Useful Post:
bclaker (11-01-2012), soupyjr8 (11-01-2012)

01-01-2007, 05:47 PM	#4
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	Some views of Endicott Rock and Captain Jack. Note the OLD Mount in the distance. CLICK HERE to SUPERSIZE the IMAGE CLICK HERE for RELATED THREAD