Oak Birch Inn - Alton Bay

mcdude · 05-29-2008, 05:40 PM

Postmark 1914

Postmark 1929

Click here to see the complete OAK BIRCH INN PHOTO GALLERY

Don Levy · 09-01-2011, 09:42 AM

My brother sent me this url so I thought I'd join up. I'm Don Levy and my folks, Dick and Millie owned the Inn for some years. I have mixed memories of the Inn, different than most as my family owned it from the late '60s to the early '80s. It started when my parents bought the cottage abutting to the south to the Inn. Right after it seemed ralatives loved us and came to see us every weekend. Jokingly it was mentioned that we'd need to rent parking spaced at the Inn and maybe even get a deal for rooms. The next weekend as we sat for breakfast my father walked in and smiling (never a good thing) dropped a huge keyring in the middle of the table and said something like you got what you asked for. Yep, it was the keys to the Inn. Turned out the town had done some rezoning and rezoned the property to prohibit it operating as a hotel but, grandfathered the Inn provided it operated each year. The owner had decided not to open so gave dad a decent deal.

It was in very poor condition. Age and neglect was showing. The back addition was in especially poor condition as was the bowling alley and dance building. The movie theater had so much mold it was all but dangerous to ven venture in. We spent long hours trying to bring it back to where it was at least habitable for that summer. Later, we spent much of the time plumbing, new electic and winterizing it. Not the happiest time for a high school kid wanting to be with friends.

None of us had any idea how to run the Inn and we made some mistakes as we learned. Happily, there was Ina who had been with the Inn from the time she was a child cleaning rooms and making beds. She was in her late '60s to early '70s when she was with us but never slowed down. We also had the Tate family. He was a teacher who during the summer ran the movie theater while his wife ran the concessions. I learned from him how to run the machines and from prior training could keep the ancient amps running. That was interesting. They had 2 daughters. I seem to remember their names being Polly and Mary Jane.

The first year we had a manager/chef and his wife run manage the restaruant and during the week, the Inn but found they were running a back door operation that cost us dearly. Later we employed an ex-military man, Syd and his wife Arlene and they lived at the Inn all year round.

The folks eventually decided the Inn was enough so sold the cottage to the Wilcox family who had been living there as tenets for a couple of years. They had a daughter, Pam and 2 boys, one was Billy but, I can not remember the other's name.

My father owned a store in Portsmouth so during the season we worked in it and then in late after noon jumped into the car and drove to the Inn in time for the movies. Frank and I alternated so some times I had the early show and some days he had it. No free time for the most part during the summer except for the nights when Frank had the late show.

My brother, Kim stayed at the Inn all summer and did things like getting the casino stable enough for the bowling ally to work and to hold parties and dances on the upper floor. There was stream running under the building and it had become unsafe for someyears.

During our ownership, we sealed my sister's grab at a hubby with a 100 lobster dinner, my brother and I had our Bar Mitzvah and my sister got married there. It was a favorite place for smaller weddings.

After graduating from high school, I did not spend much time there, traveling to Israel to work on a kibbutz, New York and finally undergrad school and owning several stores in western MA. I was not around when the folks decided to sell but, I remember they sold it to a family from Massachusetts who had been going to the Inn. They were the owners when it burnt down. I still remember getting the call from the family telling me of the event, it was like hearing of a family member dying. I had wanted to take the family there but never got around to it and then, finding out a part of my childhood had been lost forever.

Sadly, when the family sold the Inn they did not keep any of the memorabilia they had collected over the years related to the Inn that was quite extensive. They did not even keep an old post card.

Slickcraft · 09-01-2011, 09:55 AM

Welcome to the Forum Don, I'm sure that you will hear from some of the history fans.

Argie's Wife · 09-04-2011, 06:14 PM

Wow. What a story! Thanks for posting, Don.

What is on the former property where Oak Birch was located now-a-days? Or what's near it?

tis · 09-04-2011, 06:40 PM

We went there a lot for dinner in the 80s! Loved that place!

RLW · 09-04-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

Wow. What a story! Thanks for posting, Don.

What is on the former property where Oak Birch was located now-a-days? Or what's near it?

Just an open lot with bushes and the front stairs coming down to route 11. It is located just after the first turn to the right I believe.

tis · 09-04-2011, 06:50 PM

I still hate to go by and see it gone.

Argie's Wife · 09-04-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLW

Just an open lot with bushes and the front stairs coming down to route 11. It is located just after the first turn to the right I believe.

Route 11? Or 28A? I think I need to go on a walkabout...

RLW · 09-05-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

Route 11? Or 28A? I think I need to go on a walkabout...

I sorrry, your right 28A.

SteveA · 09-05-2011, 08:39 AM

Plenty of info and "stuff" online.

Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=...d=100731500198

Ebay items for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oak-Birch-In...-/170526614236

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OAK-BIRCH-IN...-/320504884696

http://www.cardcow.com/322561/oak-bi...new-hampshire/

http://www.cardcow.com/162404/oak-bi...new-hampshire/

Don Levy · 09-24-2011, 11:05 AM

As you go on 28A past Alton Bay beach, there is a right turn. There was a stone wall on the land side of the turn and the Inn was just at the end past the cottage that has a boat dock. The cottage belonged to us and then the Wilcox family. Not sure if they are still there. There should be a large open lot and on the water the remnants of the boat dock. The casino/bowling alley/dance floor building may still be there as it would not have been in the fire. Probably the remnants as it was on shaky ground as it was being undercut by a stream.

mcdude · 09-24-2011, 12:40 PM

This is what's left of the beautiful grand stairway that used to go from East Shore Drive to the screened porch. Look for these remnants as you drive by trying to avoid walkers and bicyclists on this narrow road!

Rattlesnake Guy · 09-24-2011, 03:26 PM

Mr McDude,
How old is that photo? We have looked many times and I can't believe we could not find something so big. The older photo's seem to have the stairs quite close to the lake unless a lot of dirt was added when the road was made wider.

RLW · 09-24-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Mr McDude,
How old is that photo? We have looked many times and I can't believe we could not find something so big. The older photo's seem to have the stairs quite close to the lake unless a lot of dirt was added when the road was made wider.

You can go by there today and it is just about that size. It may be a shade smaller because of deterioration of the stairs. That is the size I remember it being when I use to go there many a moons ago. Say late 50's early 60's.

I'll check it out next week and try and take an up to date photo.

mcdude · 09-24-2011, 05:42 PM

Mr. Rattlesnake!
photo taken May 21, 2004. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...php?photo=2645
Compare to the old stairs......

...and Mr. RLW: I hope you and the lovely bride, Mrs. RLW, recently retired, are enjoying life full-time up at the lake.....at last!

RLW · 09-25-2011, 10:29 AM

The following pictures of the Oak Birch Inn stairs on route 28A was taken today 9/25/11 at 10:56 AM

RLW · 09-25-2011, 05:00 PM

I forgot to mention that you probably noticed that there is very little change between my todays pictures and McDude's 04 picture except that the birch trees have grown a bit more. Where the pier is located in the post card picture I was standing an about 3 or 4 cement stairs going down to a single pier. The large platform is not there at the present time.

Thanks McDude for the kind wishes for the bride and I on our retirement here on the mountain. Wish you and Mike were still here to visit.

05-29-2008, 05:40 PM	#1
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	"New" Postcards Postmark 1914 Postmark 1929 Click here to see the complete OAK BIRCH INN PHOTO GALLERY

09-01-2011, 09:42 AM	#2
Don Levy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 2 Posts	Oak Birch Inn - Old Memories My brother sent me this url so I thought I'd join up. I'm Don Levy and my folks, Dick and Millie owned the Inn for some years. I have mixed memories of the Inn, different than most as my family owned it from the late '60s to the early '80s. It started when my parents bought the cottage abutting to the south to the Inn. Right after it seemed ralatives loved us and came to see us every weekend. Jokingly it was mentioned that we'd need to rent parking spaced at the Inn and maybe even get a deal for rooms. The next weekend as we sat for breakfast my father walked in and smiling (never a good thing) dropped a huge keyring in the middle of the table and said something like you got what you asked for. Yep, it was the keys to the Inn. Turned out the town had done some rezoning and rezoned the property to prohibit it operating as a hotel but, grandfathered the Inn provided it operated each year. The owner had decided not to open so gave dad a decent deal. It was in very poor condition. Age and neglect was showing. The back addition was in especially poor condition as was the bowling alley and dance building. The movie theater had so much mold it was all but dangerous to ven venture in. We spent long hours trying to bring it back to where it was at least habitable for that summer. Later, we spent much of the time plumbing, new electic and winterizing it. Not the happiest time for a high school kid wanting to be with friends. None of us had any idea how to run the Inn and we made some mistakes as we learned. Happily, there was Ina who had been with the Inn from the time she was a child cleaning rooms and making beds. She was in her late '60s to early '70s when she was with us but never slowed down. We also had the Tate family. He was a teacher who during the summer ran the movie theater while his wife ran the concessions. I learned from him how to run the machines and from prior training could keep the ancient amps running. That was interesting. They had 2 daughters. I seem to remember their names being Polly and Mary Jane. The first year we had a manager/chef and his wife run manage the restaruant and during the week, the Inn but found they were running a back door operation that cost us dearly. Later we employed an ex-military man, Syd and his wife Arlene and they lived at the Inn all year round. The folks eventually decided the Inn was enough so sold the cottage to the Wilcox family who had been living there as tenets for a couple of years. They had a daughter, Pam and 2 boys, one was Billy but, I can not remember the other's name. My father owned a store in Portsmouth so during the season we worked in it and then in late after noon jumped into the car and drove to the Inn in time for the movies. Frank and I alternated so some times I had the early show and some days he had it. No free time for the most part during the summer except for the nights when Frank had the late show. My brother, Kim stayed at the Inn all summer and did things like getting the casino stable enough for the bowling ally to work and to hold parties and dances on the upper floor. There was stream running under the building and it had become unsafe for someyears. During our ownership, we sealed my sister's grab at a hubby with a 100 lobster dinner, my brother and I had our Bar Mitzvah and my sister got married there. It was a favorite place for smaller weddings. After graduating from high school, I did not spend much time there, traveling to Israel to work on a kibbutz, New York and finally undergrad school and owning several stores in western MA. I was not around when the folks decided to sell but, I remember they sold it to a family from Massachusetts who had been going to the Inn. They were the owners when it burnt down. I still remember getting the call from the family telling me of the event, it was like hearing of a family member dying. I had wanted to take the family there but never got around to it and then, finding out a part of my childhood had been lost forever. Sadly, when the family sold the Inn they did not keep any of the memorabilia they had collected over the years related to the Inn that was quite extensive. They did not even keep an old post card.

09-05-2011, 08:39 AM	#10
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Online info and memorabilia Plenty of info and "stuff" online. Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=...d=100731500198 Ebay items for sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oak-Birch-In...-/170526614236 http://www.ebay.com/itm/OAK-BIRCH-IN...-/320504884696 http://www.cardcow.com/322561/oak-bi...new-hampshire/ http://www.cardcow.com/162404/oak-bi...new-hampshire/ __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

09-24-2011, 12:40 PM	#12
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	This is what's left of the beautiful grand stairway that used to go from East Shore Drive to the screened porch. Look for these remnants as you drive by trying to avoid walkers and bicyclists on this narrow road! __________________

09-24-2011, 05:42 PM	#15
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Mr. Rattlesnake! photo taken May 21, 2004. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...php?photo=2645 Compare to the old stairs...... ...and Mr. RLW: I hope you and the lovely bride, Mrs. RLW, recently retired, are enjoying life full-time up at the lake.....at last! __________________

The Following 16 Users Say Thank You to Don Levy For This Useful Post:
Argie's Wife (09-04-2011), bclaker (09-02-2011), fpartri497 (09-01-2011), hirschkaren (01-02-2013), Just Sold (09-04-2011), mcdude (09-01-2011), NoBozo (09-07-2011), Rattlesnake Gal (09-01-2011), riverat (11-02-2012), RLW (09-02-2011), Slickcraft (09-01-2011), Smith Point (11-14-2012), SteveA (09-05-2011), Tallyho (09-03-2011), tis (09-01-2011), webmaster (09-01-2011)

09-01-2011, 09:55 AM	#3
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,310 Thanks: 1,227 Thanked 2,098 Times in 957 Posts	Welcome to the Forum Don, I'm sure that you will hear from some of the history fans.

09-04-2011, 06:14 PM	#4
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Wow. What a story! Thanks for posting, Don. What is on the former property where Oak Birch was located now-a-days? Or what's near it?

09-04-2011, 06:40 PM	#5
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 753 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	We went there a lot for dinner in the 80s! Loved that place!

The Following User Says Thank You to RLW For This Useful Post:
Argie's Wife (09-04-2011)

09-04-2011, 06:50 PM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 753 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	I still hate to go by and see it gone.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SteveA For This Useful Post:
Argie's Wife (09-05-2011), RLW (09-05-2011)

09-24-2011, 11:05 AM	#11
Don Levy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 2 Posts	As you go on 28A past Alton Bay beach, there is a right turn. There was a stone wall on the land side of the turn and the Inn was just at the end past the cottage that has a boat dock. The cottage belonged to us and then the Wilcox family. Not sure if they are still there. There should be a large open lot and on the water the remnants of the boat dock. The casino/bowling alley/dance floor building may still be there as it would not have been in the fire. Probably the remnants as it was on shaky ground as it was being undercut by a stream.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mcdude For This Useful Post:
Jonas Pilot (09-24-2011), Rattlesnake Guy (09-24-2011)

09-24-2011, 03:26 PM	#13
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Mr McDude, How old is that photo? We have looked many times and I can't believe we could not find something so big. The older photo's seem to have the stairs quite close to the lake unless a lot of dirt was added when the road was made wider.

The Following User Says Thank You to RLW For This Useful Post:
Rattlesnake Guy (09-24-2011)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to mcdude For This Useful Post:
hirschkaren (01-17-2013), Jonas Pilot (09-24-2011), Rattlesnake Guy (09-24-2011)

09-25-2011, 10:29 AM	#16
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	The following pictures of the Oak Birch Inn stairs on route 28A was taken today 9/25/11 at 10:56 AM Attached Images __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits. Last edited by RLW; 09-25-2011 at 11:30 AM.

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to RLW For This Useful Post:
Argie's Wife (09-25-2011), Jonas Pilot (09-25-2011), mcdude (09-25-2011), Rattlesnake Gal (09-26-2011), Rattlesnake Guy (09-25-2011)

09-25-2011, 05:00 PM	#17
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Addition to Oak Birch Inn Info I forgot to mention that you probably noticed that there is very little change between my todays pictures and McDude's 04 picture except that the birch trees have grown a bit more. Where the pier is located in the post card picture I was standing an about 3 or 4 cement stairs going down to a single pier. The large platform is not there at the present time. Thanks McDude for the kind wishes for the bride and I on our retirement here on the mountain. Wish you and Mike were still here to visit. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.