Grace Metalious Lake connection

jbolty · 02-01-2020, 04:08 PM

My recollection from a million years ago was not so much that the book was scandalous, more that a few local people in Gilmanton though the characters were thinly them.

We used to say that when you live in a small town you don't buy the local newspaper to find out what's going on. You get it to find out who got caught.

tis · 02-02-2020, 07:36 AM

Yes, that was what I remember too. I think most authors vaguely write about people they have been in contact with.

Scott · 02-04-2020, 11:06 PM

For anyone curious, the motel was not demolished and isn't condos. It still exists and is doing quite well. It was later renamed Top of the Bay, later renamed again to Bay Top Motel, which I own.

The motel was cut into 3 sections and dragged from where 4 seasons is now to its current location. After it was moved, a larger owners quarters was added off the back. It had a flat roof which leaked, so when my family bought the property in 1986, we quickly added a gable roof. Later, a deck was added to the second floor, then glassed in. Then came a pool, a house, and I got a little carried with landscaping the place to make it look like Key West.

It's always weird when I see that old postcard and realize that's actually my home. Quite a history this place has.

Old Sarge · 02-07-2020, 03:15 PM

For those that may not know, "Peyton Place" was at first a best selling book in the 1950's. It was so controversial due it subject being a teen girl in a small town who was molested by her father and made pregnant. It also involved a small town doctor who recommended an abortion for the girl. Times being as they were there was a lot of gossip and small town politics along with class themes. The book was made into a major motion picture (Debuted at the Colonial Theater in Laconia) and later an afternoon soap opera that was filmed in Camden Maine.

It caused quite a stir in Gilmanton and the Iron Works and it lasted a long time. When I was around ten (1968) I asked if this was "Peyton Place" while I was in the Iron Works store and vividly recall the dirty looks I received. It really did become a byword for a small town or place or organization with secret scandals. David Halberstam wrote about Grace and her story in his book "The Fifties". She was considered groundbreaking in the cause for Women's Rights but I just think of her as a tragic figure.

The people in Gilmanton treated her badly (and she rubbed her success in their faces) and I believe her husband who was a local school principal ended up losing his job over the affair.

There have been several articles over the years in The Manchester Union Leader-her home town which I believe you can still access.

Major · 02-07-2020, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Sarge

For those that may not know, "Peyton Place" was at first a best selling book in the 1950's. It was so controversial due it subject being a teen girl in a small town who was molested by her father and made pregnant. It also involved a small town doctor who recommended an abortion for the girl. Times being as they were there was a lot of gossip and small town politics along with class themes. The book was made into a major motion picture (Debuted at the Colonial Theater in Laconia) and later an afternoon soap opera that was filmed in Camden Maine.

It caused quite a stir in Gilmanton and the Iron Works and it lasted a long time. When I was around ten (1968) I asked if this was "Peyton Place" while I was in the Iron Works store and vividly recall the dirty looks I received. It really did become a byword for a small town or place or organization with secret scandals. David Halberstam wrote about Grace and her story in his book "The Fifties". She was considered groundbreaking in the cause for Women's Rights but I just think of her as a tragic figure.

The people in Gilmanton treated her badly (and she rubbed her success in their faces) and I believe her husband who was a local school principal ended up losing his job over the affair.

There have been several articles over the years in The Manchester Union Leader-her home town which I believe you can still access.

Old Sarge, you didn't happen to serve with Company B 368th Engineers in Gilford between 1987 and 1991? I know a Sergeant (E6) from Gilmanton Iron Works who was with Company B during my time there.

Old Sarge · 02-18-2020, 05:01 PM

No, but I did accompany a reserve soldier there for his 1st drill-This would have been 1991-1993 when I was an active duty recruiter.

02-04-2020, 11:06 PM	#3
Scott Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 19 Posts	For anyone curious, the motel was not demolished and isn't condos. It still exists and is doing quite well. It was later renamed Top of the Bay, later renamed again to Bay Top Motel, which I own. The motel was cut into 3 sections and dragged from where 4 seasons is now to its current location. After it was moved, a larger owners quarters was added off the back. It had a flat roof which leaked, so when my family bought the property in 1986, we quickly added a gable roof. Later, a deck was added to the second floor, then glassed in. Then came a pool, a house, and I got a little carried with landscaping the place to make it look like Key West. It's always weird when I see that old postcard and realize that's actually my home. Quite a history this place has. __________________ Scott

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02-01-2020, 04:08 PM	#1
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 663 Thanks: 320 Thanked 251 Times in 150 Posts	My recollection from a million years ago was not so much that the book was scandalous, more that a few local people in Gilmanton though the characters were thinly them. We used to say that when you live in a small town you don't buy the local newspaper to find out what's going on. You get it to find out who got caught.

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02-02-2020, 07:36 AM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,724 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	Yes, that was what I remember too. I think most authors vaguely write about people they have been in contact with.

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02-07-2020, 03:15 PM	#4
Old Sarge Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 150 Thanks: 106 Thanked 63 Times in 29 Posts	For those that may not know, "Peyton Place" was at first a best selling book in the 1950's. It was so controversial due it subject being a teen girl in a small town who was molested by her father and made pregnant. It also involved a small town doctor who recommended an abortion for the girl. Times being as they were there was a lot of gossip and small town politics along with class themes. The book was made into a major motion picture (Debuted at the Colonial Theater in Laconia) and later an afternoon soap opera that was filmed in Camden Maine. It caused quite a stir in Gilmanton and the Iron Works and it lasted a long time. When I was around ten (1968) I asked if this was "Peyton Place" while I was in the Iron Works store and vividly recall the dirty looks I received. It really did become a byword for a small town or place or organization with secret scandals. David Halberstam wrote about Grace and her story in his book "The Fifties". She was considered groundbreaking in the cause for Women's Rights but I just think of her as a tragic figure. The people in Gilmanton treated her badly (and she rubbed her success in their faces) and I believe her husband who was a local school principal ended up losing his job over the affair. There have been several articles over the years in The Manchester Union Leader-her home town which I believe you can still access.

02-18-2020, 05:01 PM	#6
Old Sarge Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 150 Thanks: 106 Thanked 63 Times in 29 Posts	No, but I did accompany a reserve soldier there for his 1st drill-This would have been 1991-1993 when I was an active duty recruiter.

The Following User Says Thank You to Old Sarge For This Useful Post:
Major (02-18-2020)