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A Weirs Souvenir - 1880s - 1940s - Part 1
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http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...ssouvenir1.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...atwhiteway.jpg A WEIRS SOUVENIR - 1880s-1940s - Part 1 http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...sengraving.jpg Note the campground and the very first railroad station built circa. 1848. PREFACE - Weirs Landing was pretty much an agricultural area until the railroad came through and soon thereafter began to develop as a resort area. The railroad leased land to both the Civil War Veterans for their annual encampments and to the Methodists who held yearly campmeetings. The Methodists also rented their facilities out to other groups such as the Baptists. The railroads always encoraged events and facilities that would encourage people to use the rails. It wasn't until about a decade after the end of the hostilities of the Civil War before the veterans and Methodists began to arrive. Most black and white photos seen below are from a promotional book, "Weirs Souvenir" published in 1897. and a promotional book for the Hotel Weirs published about the turn of the century. Postcards would predominantly be from the 1900-1915 vintage. Later images are from a promotional brochure distributed by the Weirs Chamber of Commerce in 1948. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...wfrom1880s.jpg scroll over to see the panorama above.....scroll this way > ----> T A B L E of C O N T E N T S Preface 1880s with text from Bachelder's "Popular Resorts and How to Reach Them" 1875 1897 - Veteran's Encampment and Buildings Methodist Campground Accomodations Dining Activities Boat Rides Airplane Rides Lakeshore Path Orchard View Tower Dancing and Big Bands Speedboat Racing Swimming http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...weirstext1.jpg Click here to SUPER-SIZE this text http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...1WEIRSlady.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...train1880s.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...WEIRStext2.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...tewithtext.jpg A list of rooming houses and hotels with the capacity and cost - 1880 http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...WEIRStext3.jpg to be conitnued A WEIRS TIMELINE 1848-1849 - Railroad arrives. Route not yet completed to the White Mountains until later on. Civil War 1873 - First Methodist Camp Meeting 1878 - First Civil War Veterans Encampment 1880 - Diamond Island House dragged across ice to become Weirs Hotel 1885 - Weirs Cafe opens 1886 - New Hampshire Music Teachers Festivals Begin 1886 - Trinity Methodist Church is built on Tower Ave. 1886 - Aquedoctan House Opens 1887 - Lakeside House opens. Additons in 1890 and 1899. 1880s - 1890s - Tremendous growth of resort industry. 1894 - Memorial Statue and Fountain Installed. Hit by lightning in 1931. 1899 - Laconia Street Railway extends to the Weirs. 1899 - All additions completed on the New Hotel Weirs 1903 - New Music Hall Dedicated. 1916-1918 - First motorcyclists arrive at the Weirs 1924 - Hotel Weirs, Music Hall and several regimental buildings burn. 1925 - Irwin's Winnipesaukee Gardens Opens. 1939 - Mount Washington and Railroad Station Burn. 1960 - Passenger Rail Service from Boston ends. CLICK HERE for a more extensive timeline http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...oomarticle.jpg |
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http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo.../20scanGAR.jpg REGIMENTAL BUILDINGS http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...gnfountain.jpg About a decade or so after the Civil War the veterans began to have yearly reunions on land leased from the railroad. They began with tents but soon each of some twenty New Hampshire regiments built their own headquarter building. The National Association and the Lowell veterans and others also built cottages. Great crowds were attracted! http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...GARhdqrtrs.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...ialprogram.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...ranshdqtrs.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...veteranssq.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...Sprogramme.jpg Programme for the 1920 Encampment - CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this programme for ease in reading. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...0official2.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...EIRS2nd3rd.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...Sboulevard.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...EIRS5th7th.jpg In 1879, fourteen years after the Civil War, the New Hampshire Veterans Association held their first annual reunion at Weirs Beach. Purchasing a large tract of land on Lakeside Avenue from the railroad, they constructed a series of Victorian buildings, one for each regiment, in the style of the times. Known as the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) buildings, many of these grand old buildings are still standing today. Among the G.A.R. buildings, was the 150 room New Weirs Hotel. Constructed in 1880, it was a magnificent hotel. Just across from the street from the New Hotel Weirs was the Weirs Music Hall. Every day, express trains from Boston's Union Station and the Lowell area shuttled well-off guests from big cities along the East Coast to the Weirs Station which was also right in front of the hotel. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here for a short time. The Hotel and Music Hall tragically burned to the ground on November 7th, 1924 and was never rebuilt. In the late 1930's, Howard Ballou constructed the Half Moon Cabins on the site of the former hotel. The Methodist Church now stands on the site of the Music Hall. Ironically, the Train Station was not damaged in this fire, but later burned in 1939. It was rebuilt that same year. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...tsignhotel.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...1th8th13th.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...RScottages.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...imenthouse.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...thregiment.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...RSaeroview.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...dqrtrs14th.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...akesideave.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...EIRSlowell.jpg http://www.lwhs.us/index-lakesideave.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...eirsstreet.jpg VETERAN'S GROVE http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...akersstand.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...encampment.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...t_at_Weirs.jpg Theodore Roosevelt addresses the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic in Veterans Grove on August 28, 1902 at Weirs. The President came to NH to mend some political fences, and to do a little fishing. Crowds were estimated to be between 20,000 to 40,000. |
The LOAMMI BEAN FOUNTAIN
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...rsfountain.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...nbusyweirs.jpg Note the horse drinking from the fountain. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...EIRSstatue.jpg Laommi Bean was with the 8th NH Regiment and was killed at the Battle of Georgia Landing in Louisiana in 1862. His daughter erected this monument in tribute to "All the gallant soldiers....so that the Union might be preserved." It was dedicated in 1894. The MEMORIAL ROCK http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...eransstone.jpg CLICK HERE TO SUPER-SIZE and see the muskets. The boulder was inscribed in 1882 to the NH Volunteer Regiments. It was surrounded in 1883 by a fence with pickets of cast iron muskets. Cornerposts are vertical cannons topped with cannonballs! |
METHODIST CAMP MEETING GROUNDS
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...inggrounds.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...20IMG_5714.JPG Entrance to Methodist Circle Today. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...mpcottage1.jpg "In the early 1870's, Methodists discovered that Weirs Beach provided the perfect setting for their summer religious meetings. In 1874, 13 acres were purchased for a "camp-meeting ground. By the 1890's, the Methodist campgrounds had evolved into a densely settled colony of cottages and cabins close by the lake." Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...centuryave.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...mpcottage2.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...camphouses.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...mpcottage3.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...mpcottage4.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...auditorium.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...auditorium.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...EIRSchurch.jpg The Campmeetings were so successful that it was decided a church would be built on Tower Avenue. (next to the Music Hall and adjacent to the Weirs Hotel) The first service was held in 1886. It burnt in the great hotel fire in 1924 but was rebuilt in 1926. It still stands today. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...istchurch2.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...distchurch.JPG The Methodist Church Today. The development of this Camp Meeting was not unlike that of the Alton Bay Adventist Camp Meetings. CLICK HERE for this related thread. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...ampmeeting.jpg An old stereoview photo of Men at Weirs Campmeeting. GH Tebbetts, Laconia, NH. |
In order to keep this thread shorter (for ease in downloading) I've stored the rest of the thread OVER HERE including the "girlie stuff"!!!
The rest of the thread will be completed in Parts 2 & 3 etc... The DEPOT http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...oldmtphoto.jpg Real Photo of the Old Mount at the Weirs Depot. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...nfancyduds.jpg "It was a different Weirs back then, stately and sedate, served by daily trains from the Boston and Lowell area and catering to well-off guests from big cities along the East Coast. Steamships, the most notable of which was the side-wheeler “Mount Washington”, provided leisurely trips around the lake for a mostly affluent clientele that gathered at the Weirs every summer." Source: Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...brochure_2.jpg http://www.lakesregion-nh.com/images...weirs_dock.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...Weirs_1906.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...canadayoff.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...Sexcursion.jpg ----Weirs Excursion Train - 1880s---- http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...irsstation.jpg http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...inschedule.jpg CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this schedule http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...osteamers2.jpg To help people attend the Weirs races, Irwin, along with city officials and other local businessmen, worked closely with the local Boston & Maine railroad executives to finalize plans for advancing their mutual interests. Funds were raised for a series of band concerts that were given every Sunday through Labor Day. Music hours were scheduled from 2-3 and 4-5 in the afternoon. The band that regularly performed was the 387th Infantry Band stationed in Laconia and other plans were put in place to help provide amusements for the expected crowds. Railroad officials scheduled special excursion trains that left Boston at 8 o’clock and ended up at the Weirs at 11:20. The trains came to the Weirs not only from Boston, but also Lynn and Lowell, as well as southern NH. Local hotels scheduled special meals to coincide with the arrival of all excursionists. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...IRSstation.jpg Note the presence of the Laconia Street Electric Railway Company which extended to the Weirs in 1899. CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this image http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...otinterior.jpg CLICK HERE for a photo of the Weirs Station today. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...rntsteamer.jpg The aftermath of the 1939 fire. __________________________________________________ ____ The MUSIC HALL http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...Smusichall.jpg The Music Hall was founded by the New Hampshire Music Teachers Association for the purpose of holding summer camps, recitals and concerts. The original building sat at approximately the same site as the present day bath house at Endicott Park / Weirs Beach. The facility was actually a roller skating rink that was dismantled and brought up to the Weirs from Concord, NH. the building reverted to its' original use when not in use by the music students. The building was ruined when heavy snow caused the roof to collapse in ????. A new facility was built shortly thereafter on Tower Avenue next to the Methodist Church. the great fire of 1924 started in the Music Hall. __________________________________________________ ____ CLICK HERE to see the continuation of this thread - A Weirs Souvenir - Part 2 |
Yet another wonderful thread, McDude. Before all the historical posts and pictures started, I guess most of us took the area for granted, and didn't think about the rich history of the lakes region, especially the Weirs. I have seen the NH Veterens housing and areas, and knew about the regimental buildings, but somehow they got lost in the arcades, shops, and food places.
I remember over the years my parents talked about Irwin's Gardens, and how there were Big Bands that came to entertain. The place would be packed, and they would spend the entire night on the dance floor, jitterbugging, doing the foxtrot, waltzing, doing the two step, polka, etc.. Now for the really exciting thing...The Five bathing beauties... I need a little help. I think we have I.G., R.G., Island Sib, and Pepper... but who is the fifth one??? Are you going to number them like forum fest fotos (just a touch of alliteration) ??? :laugh: |
For telephone modem users with old computers (like me), this thread takes a long time to load.
If you want to view it later, "minimize (-)" this page , and "left-click" open a new window to continue "surfing the Net". It's been 20 minutes, and there are still more photos to go. :look: From what I've seen so far, mcdude is turning this into a "girlie site!" :eek: Seriously, I'm wondering if: 1) that Civil War statue is still there 2) The "Lady of the Lake" steamer appears immense in the Weirs-1880 image. But in the "Weirs Landing" image, a steamer appears puny. "PhotoShop1880"? 3) What make and model of floatplane is pictured -- with that huge radial engine and prop. (With "The Mount" in the background, it shan't be a Cessna 190 -- but it looks close). BTW: "G.A.R." stands for "Grand Army of the Republic". I'm impressed by the way those Veterans were organized and treated. :) Holy Moly! Those muskets look REAL! (But they don't appear Civil War-contemporary -- they look like Springfield model 1884). 'Bet they're not there today. |
Thanks for that feedback you guys. There are still many, many photos to upload and organize. I will be sure not to 'overpopulate' this thread and will continue with part 2 and 3 in a new thread for ease in uploading. :look:
PS - Word has it that the "Loammi Bean Fountain" / Veteran's Statue was erected in 1894 but struck by lightning in 1931 and ruined....More on that to come! |
You Da Man!
McDude
The Weirs has been a special place for Betty and I since we were small children, when talking our respective parents into bringing us over there was one of the high point of our yearly vacations! It continued to be special to us after we began dating in out late teens (we usually managed to drive up for a visit together at least a few times a season); to this day going over for some "Wiers Beach Pizza" and eating an ice cream cone while strolling the boardwalk is still high on our list of favorite ways to spend an evening. Thanks a million for this great thread. I look forward to seeing the rest of it! (And to adding Waldo Peppers to our favorites list. Hey, Pepper - incoming! :liplick: ETA about 2 weeks!) Silver Duck |
Excellent Dude!
Excellent job as usual McDude! Looking forward to more about The Weirs. You really know how to bring the lakes history to life. Thanks for taking the time to give us such a treat. The musket fence is amazing and too bad the fountain was destroyed.
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Bikini #5, no problem atoll
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Great thread! My extended family has been coming to the Weirs for a week-long stay at the Cavalry building since the early 1900's. Our organization, the First NH Cavalry Vets Assoc has been in existence for 140 years or more. The Cavalry vets were the only group to extend their membership to their descendants; therefore we are the only Civil War-related group still in existence at the Weirs NHVA campground. During the week when we have the right to stay in the Cavalry building, the extended family, all descendants of Leavitt Safford of Chesterfield and then Keene, NH, rent many of the other buildings as well. As you can imagine, we have many historical pictures in our scrapbook that have collected over the years and will try to post some here as we can.
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Weirs Extensive Time Line
The link to the Weirs Extensive Timeline in post #1 needs to be fixed:
Correct link is http://www.lwhs.us/weirs/timeline.htm |
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