Wise Owl
 

I haven't visited the owl's nest in 12 years because I moved to Florida. Te name was changed from wise owl to Owl's nest about 15 years ago. I do hope the beach and dock issues are settled,but knowing the neighborhood for 35 years. I doubt it! There have been problems literally on for 100 years . after the lakeshore railroad was abandoned. there have been disputes ever since all up and down that stretch of land. It will go on for another 100 because it involves many, many homeowners. After Labor day many leave the state, and everything is forgotten until the following Spring. Just Saying!

Maybe that will change when and if the state takes back the railroad land. Anybody heard anything about that lately?

Not lately
 

Back in the 80s and 90's the Winnipesaukee Basin Project used the railroad right of way for the sewage line. The project ran out of money just before Ames Farm. The goal was to extend the line to Alton on the right of way. I know the state never relinquished the ROW in anticipation should the feds decide to fund the project to completion. When the project was active from Laconia to Ames Farm, a number of landowners had to remove or move structures out of ROW.

I can see this happening in the future. Maybe Biden will make it happen.

Wise Owl
 

Myself and my children loved walking over to Wise Owl from my uncle's cottage
mostly for the variety of candy and other sundry. I thought that the Faticone's
(spelling) were the original owners and that the cabins were active and something smelled good and was always cooking at the back of the store. Fast forward to my own children, they would delight in walking (before the abutters feud and ensuing fence) to the store to see Arthur, who always was happy to see the kids, just a really pleasant guy.
Great memories.

I thought it was already happening or suppose to be happening. Weren't some landowners in Alton getting attorneys?

In Alton the state originally took the fee interest in the land and turned it over to B&M. After the railroad ceased operation, the land was offered to the Town of Alton who purchased the land. Many strips were deeded back to abutting land owners but the Town retained ownership of many sections such as in the Bay area.

That was along the Rt 11 state highway ROW which in that specific area was the old RR bed.

Right. So isn't that the area they are talking about?

Before we bought our island property 15 years ago, we used to love stopping at the “Wise Owl” by boat especially for breakfast as they did a great job. Back then they had a single somewhat dilapidated dock that you could park at. Then I believe the dock was removed for whatever reason and we stopped going.

We haven’t been back in years now and am curious if anyone knows whether they still serve breakfast or not?

Thanks!

Dan

Correct, the Wise Owl is in West Alton on Rt 11 and maybe 150' from the shore and the old rail bed. Here the old bed is owned by various parties and the issue is rights to lake access via an old dock. Long history of litigation. State is not involved.

The recent issue with the state is just north of the Bay on 11.

Alan

The store/restaurant has been closed for 4-5 years now.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Pretty sure that I have been shipping building materials to that site in recent weeks.

There are also several rental cabins. I'll take a look next time by.

Alan

Thank you. So just above the bay it's the state that wants the ROW back but further up it's not the state or the railroad but the neighbors? Is that right?

That is about it. From the bay north to Jesus Valley Rd state highway 11 follows the old RR bed but not any further north. Then the old RR bed is east of Rt 11 all the way into Gilford including where the Owl nest is.

Alan

Wise Owl
 

The store/restaurant has indeed been closed for several years. The "cabins " appear to be permanent rental units (some or all). The dock has been gone longer than the store has been closed and the "beach " area is just rocks and washed out sand/dirt.

Turns out that is Owl's Nest... but in Thornton.

Owl's Nest is what stood out to me.

Yeah no activity in sight today.

Alan

very, very unlikely, would involve too many more lawsuits. many lots were returned to abutters who built houses on railroad bed.

Giving up rail beds in 2022 times to abutters are unlikely to ever happen, but the Lakeshore Rail Bed was abandoned sometime in the early 1930's so what's done is done.

Not sure when the rails themselves were removed, but my guess is sometime in the 1940's. This steel was a valuable need for the USA during WWII and unused rail lines were ripped up and put to good use for military use. Anyone remember the ''El" that ran in Boston between North Station and South Station via Atlantic Avenue? This was taken apart, melted down and put to good use for the WWII war effort.

Today, many (maybe most) rail lines that are abandoned are commonly turned into recreational trails for bicycles, walkers, etc..

I'm confident if that line had been abandoned today then all of us would have a truly beautiful walking trail along the shoreline...... Which is now very valuable land!