Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - A Weirs Souvenir - 1880s - 1940s

mcdude · 04-09-2005, 04:50 PM

REGIMENTAL BUILDINGS

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!

Programme for the 1920 Encampment - CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this programme for ease in reading.

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.

VETERAN'S GROVE

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.

04-09-2005, 04:50 PM	#2
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,361 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,044 Times in 490 Posts	REGIMENTAL BUILDINGS 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! Programme for the 1920 Encampment - CLICK HERE to SUPER-SIZE this programme for ease in reading. 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. VETERAN'S GROVE 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. Last edited by mcdude; 07-26-2005 at 08:04 AM.