Alton bay bandstand

[jrc]

I made my last trip down to Alton Bay for the season on Sunday. As we were leaving we started talking about the bandstand. By this I mean the one in the middle of the bay. Does anyone know the history? When and why it was built? Does it ever get used?

I actually looks a little small to be a bandstand but that's what my parents always called it. What else could it be?

[abay]

In my lifetime, I am aware of it only being used once for a special concert (with a very small ensemble) to celebrate its rebuilding. Could that have been about 20 years ago?

[mcdude]

jrc:
Check out THIS OLD THREAD (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1499&highlight=bandstand+racing)for more information.

[Argie's Wife]

FYI - there's been discussion lately at Selectmen's meetings about the Bandstand and the maintenance of it. It's my understanding that they definitely want to keep the bandstand but have had trouble getting decent bids for repairs/maintenance. It might be (and this is just my guess) that there might be something on the 2009 Warrant for the preservation of the bandstand.

The bandstand is an Alton landmark - I can't imagine looking out over that little corner of the bay and not seeing it!

[ironhorsetim]

Just a thought but maybe the town could consider renting it, say for a small wedding ceremony. Some young brides would go crazy for that.
I know there would be liability issue's but it was just a thought.

[ghfromaltonbay]

I believe it was some time in the mid-1980's that fundraising was started to rebuild the bandstand. One of the items being sold was a decal of the bandstand. I put it on the window in my 1986 Chevy Celebrity. I'm sorry now that I didn't buy another, but when I sold the car I was able to peel off the decal with the use of a hair dryer. I laminated the decal and have placed it in the window of each subsequent car using 2-sided tape. Another item was a pewter ornament from Hampshire Pewter depicting the bandstand. It hangs on my tree every Christmas.

Perhaps the town fathers could do another fundraiser selling t-shirts, decals, ornaments, etc. Not having the bandstand in the middle of the bay would almost be as big a loss as the Old Man of the Mountain for those of us who have enjoyed many years in Alton Bay.

[tis]

Oh, it is an Alton landmark. I couldn't imagine it not being there!

[jrc]

Thanks Mcdude

Yes it is a landmark and should be maintained. But the town shouldn't be afraid to use it. I like the wedding idea.

Coincidentally one of the photoposts recently showed a man and a child on the Alton bridge in 1908 and there was no bandstand.

[upthesaukee]

In January 2006, I was out on the ice by the bandstand, and took this picture of the plaque on the bandstand, which supports McDude's history and GH's memory (nice to know you still got it, GH:laugh:!!!!).

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Alton-bay-float-bandstand-p.jpg

1st sentence second word is "aquatic", and the fourth sentence is " it is believed to be unique" (can be a little tough to read).

You can also see the plaque and be able to enlarge it at this link:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8595&ppuser=104

[Merrymeeting]

I've often wondered about what the bandstand is built upon to withstand the ice pressures that must be extraordinary in that part of the lake.

I assume large pilings driven into the lake bed? Anyone know?

[mcdude]

I think it is built on a crib but my mind may be playing tricks on me. Can anyone confirm? (about the crib...not about my mind!)

ahh!! I found the quote in the racing thread referenced above
The bandstand was built over a large ledge about halfway between the old railway station and Victoria Pier. during the Winter months when the ice was frozen, a crib was built, filled with rocks and a foundation built over this.

Here's a photo from photopost taken by Bizer that shows the top of the crib in Winter when the lake is lower....
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/510/medium/33032083c_alton.jpg