Long time reader, first time poster ...
I've been going to the Wise Owl by boat since the late 1960s and my kids love going to breakfast there. I've been hearing conflicting stories from the rumor mill ... so I did some research:
I found the court settlement agreement that Slickcraft mentions in the Belknap County Registry of Deeds at Book 2571 Page 0700 (
www.nhdeeds.com). The 2006 settlement agreement lists a bunch of rules and regulations that Wise Owl ownership apparently agreed to - the same rules and regulations listed on the signs at the end of the dock and on the beach area. In this agreement, Wise Owl ownership apparently conceded that Alton owned the small beach area and the dock.
There is a SECOND court settlement agreement in the Belknap County Registry of Deeds at Book 2651 Page 0306. This settlement agreement was approved and ordered by the court in April 2010 (looks like they took Mr. V's advice). Wise Owl ownership agreed to stop all commercial use to boaters coming off of the lake to access the store and/or restaurant! According to the agreement, Wise Owl ownership was supposed to purchase the beach and dock from the Town of Alton. (I was unable to find a deed from Alton to Wise Owl). I am not an attorney, but my interpretation is that no one is supposed to be able to access the store or restaurant from the dock or beach.
joj129 - "... pulled the dock out"? As of earlier today, the dock (with its "Police Line Do Not Cross" tape, "No Trespassing" signs, and covered over "Wise Owl" sign) was still in existence. Are we talking about the same dock?
BTW - for those looking for boat accessible breakfast locations - I've heard that Ames Farm is another great option (about a mile towards Laconia, ample safe docking, great food, and reasonable prices) ... haven't tried it yet, but hope to soon.