Go Back   Winnipesaukee Forum > Winnipesaukee Forums > History
Home Forums Gallery Webcams Blogs YouTube Channel Classifieds Calendar Register FAQDonate Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-09-2008, 09:41 PM   #1
mcdude
Senior Member
 
mcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME
Posts: 5,359
Thanks: 374
Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts
Default King's Grant Inn ~ Gilford ~ 1958






mcdude is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mcdude For This Useful Post:
Jdarby (07-17-2020), Lakegeezer (02-25-2015)
Old 02-10-2008, 12:19 AM   #2
hazelnut
Senior Member
 
hazelnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,348
Blog Entries: 3
Thanks: 508
Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts
Thumbs up

INCREDIBLE

McDude that brochure is so unreal. I am so glad you posted it. Thank you so much!!!!
hazelnut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2008, 07:54 AM   #3
hockeypuck
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southern CT
Posts: 169
Thanks: 19
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

McDude, great job with the brochure. In the 50+ years I've been going to the Paugus Bay area, I have never been to Kings Grant Inn. Looks like, in it's hayday it was the place to go. Guess it's too late now. Thanks for the trip back in time.
hockeypuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2008, 11:38 AM   #4
jrc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 2,689
Thanks: 33
Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts
Default

Is this the same place that has a large sign on 11b? It has had interesting entertainment advertised over the last few years.
jrc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2008, 03:29 PM   #5
mcdude
Senior Member
 
mcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME
Posts: 5,359
Thanks: 374
Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jrc View Post
It has had interesting entertainment advertised over the last few years.
There's been quite a flap about the King's Grant being granted a LICENSE for EXOTIC DANCING. Back in 2005 the selectmen's denial of a license was declared unconstitutional by the courts.

CASE SUMMARY NH SUPREME COURT

Last edited by mcdude; 02-10-2008 at 05:44 PM.
mcdude is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 02-10-2008, 03:33 PM   #6
fatlazyless
Senior Member
 
fatlazyless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,506
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 291
Thanked 950 Times in 692 Posts
Default

Back around 1963, the King's Grant was a very happening place. It had its' own little rope tow for beginners, and you could loosen your grip going up and slide backwards making a big pile-up. Those were the days....let's bring back rope-tows.....more fun going up than skiing down.

Cocomo's Exotic Dancing at the Grant!....anyone been there....isn't it all closed up?
__________________
... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!
fatlazyless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2008, 07:48 PM   #7
froggy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Viewing Winnipesaukee
Posts: 100
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Rope tows...

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatlazyless View Post
....let's bring back rope-tows.....more fun going up than skiing down.
Good luck, bringing them back.

I remember using the rope tow in Woodstock, VT on Suicide Six, where the lift went to Poma, T-bar and now a chair!

That steep hill was quite an experience holding on to the rope!
froggy is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to froggy For This Useful Post:
misty4me (09-29-2022)
Old 02-11-2008, 12:09 PM   #8
Weirs guy
Senior Member
 
Weirs guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Weirs Beach, NH
Posts: 1,067
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatlazyless View Post
Cocomo's Exotic Dancing at the Grant!....anyone been there....isn't it all closed up?

Sadly yes, but based on McD's flyer the interior is still about the same as it was 50 years ago.
__________________
Is it bikeweek yet?

Now?
Weirs guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2008, 09:33 AM   #9
Colt
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 43
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Toboggan run pics

Very cool brochure!

Does anyone have any pictures of the toboggan run. I went there as a kid and I think they had a large wooden ramp at the top to get you started. I don't remember much else as I was very young at the time.
Colt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2013, 07:58 AM   #10
mcdude
Senior Member
 
mcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME
Posts: 5,359
Thanks: 374
Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts
Default

from the Laconia Daily Sun

Quote:
Gilford biz back looking for adult entertainment permit
GILFORD — The owner of the former Kings Grant Inn has applied for a live entertainment license that if granted will allow so-called adult entertainment that includes near-naked dance performances.
Willard Drew and his news business partner Tom Lyons have formed the Lakes Region Cafe & Tavern and submitted their application on September 16. Town Administrator Scott Dunn said the application will be on the Selectboard agenda when it meets Wednesday night.
In October of 2011, state narcotics agents accompanied by two SWAT Teams, nearly the entire Gilford Police Department, and all three selectmen and other civilian town employees raided what was then called Mardi Gras North after an undercover investigation by members of the former New Hampshire Drug Task Force.
Task force members said they had purchased a variety of illegal drugs from the female entertainers over the course of their investigation. On the night of the raid, two of the five women targeted by police plus one woman who was entertaining that night were arrested at the bar.
Two other female entertainers along with two male patrons were arrested the same night by cooperating police in Franklin, Tilton, and Holderness.
All five women were convicted or pleaded guilty to some drug violations stemming from the DTF investigation and all served some time in either the Belknap County House of Corrections or the N.H. State Prison.
The raid and it's subsequent fallout led to Drew having his liquor license suspended by the N.H. Board of Liquor Commissioners at the request of selectmen. The commission held an inquiry into charges that included that he allowed his business to be used for unlawful activities. The liquor violation stemmed from activities witnessed by members of the DTF.
After a three-day hearing before the Liquor Commission in July of 2012, Drew — who is the holder of the liquor license Mardi Gras North was operating under — was exonerated of the most serious charge of allowing his business to be used for unlawful activities.
The commissioners found him responsible for over-serving a patron — for which he received the three-day suspension and a $150 fine; for having an employee consume alcohol while working — for which he was fined $100; and for giving away a free drink — for which he was fined $100.
During this time, selectmen revamped the town's live entertainment ordinance and included a provision that the holders of liquor licenses must be the operators of a nightclub in order to have live and/or adult entertainment. Owners are not allowed to lease the club to a different entity.
The ordinance also requires buildings where there is live entertainment to undergo a safety inspection by the town's fire chief and code enforcement officer.
The police chief will determine if uniformed officers will be required. All uniformed officers are paid for by the holder of the permit. The Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook is an example of a live entertainment permit holder being required to provide uniformed police officers at its events.
After he made substantial upgrades to the building and after closing for his three-day license suspension, Drew reapplied for a live entertainment license in late July of 2012 but selectmen voted 2-to-1 to given him his requested license but only if he excluded near-naked dancers.
He stayed open for a while but for the past year the club has been closed.
__________________

mcdude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2013, 11:35 AM   #11
BroadHopper
Senior Member
 
BroadHopper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Laconia NH
Posts: 5,504
Thanks: 3,113
Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts
Default Bowling

There is no mention of the bowling alley, I believe there were 4 lanes.

Back in the late 60's I use to teach skiing on the old rope tow. It had an excellent slope for teaching. Plenty of space above an below the tow to gather the students for lessons.

When snowmobiles were big, 70's, 80's, The Grant was the place to get together with other snowmobilers, there was a corridor in back of the inn near the 'dump' and there was access from the lake. I am not sure if there is access today.

Another great place to get together back in the days for snowmobilers was the Alberg Inn. I was told it was sold and the new owners have plans. Anyone now about this?
__________________
Someday may never be an actual day.
BroadHopper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2014, 10:10 AM   #12
kkrauss
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 1 Post
Default Kings Grant Inn

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcdude View Post





My parents Ralph and Margarete Krauss owned KGI from 1952-1978. We had two ski tows. The main tow covered the main slope known as "What Hill" and a slope through the woods known as "Cliff Trail" named after my brother. Tow two had two trails "Flicky's Folly" named after a family friend and "Kenny's Dip" named after me. In addition to this color brochure, My father actually too the resort public and had one of the first color IPOs. The resort had 100 acres of land full of Cross country ski and snow mobile trails. We also had a dock on dockham shore rd and owned two islands (Welcome Island and Isle of Pines) where we would take guests for picnics. There was a wooded toboggan run with a large octagonal warming hut with an oversize central fire pit. There was also a large observation hut adjacent to the ski slope with floor to ceiling windows and theater seating. The resort thrived until the early 70's when the "All Inclusive Resorts" fell out of favor for family vacations. My father solicited a large Puerto Rican and Dominican clientele. They filled up the resort from Christmas through February from 1973-1978. To increase revenues in the summer we developed a dinner theater with Medieval Nights every Friday and Saturday night. We hired college theater majors from across the country who lived at the hotel and worked a number of resort jobs including the evening entertainment which included bingo night, dance lessons, Las Vegas night, a movie theater. The resort was sold to Ann Moy and Bill Fitzmores in 1978. Ann and Bill had little interest in the Caribbean clients or the dinner theater and after several seasons they went bankrupt. After several seasons not running as a resort the property lost its fire code grandfathering and it was too expensive to bring it up to code. The lake property was sold off, the acreage was sold off and the property has been in decline since. Our family still owns "Isle of Pines" and we reside on Dockham Shore.
kkrauss is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to kkrauss For This Useful Post:
Barney Bear (05-20-2020), BroadHopper (02-26-2015), C Tucker (07-12-2014), CL 240 LS (07-10-2014), jbolty (05-20-2020), Just Sold (07-10-2014), RLW (07-10-2014), secondcurve (07-11-2014), Tallyho (07-10-2014), TiltonBB (05-20-2020), trfour (02-26-2015), wifi (07-11-2014)
Old 02-25-2015, 04:35 PM   #13
sum-r breeze
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Burlington Ma / Laconia NH
Posts: 396
Thanks: 155
Thanked 201 Times in 97 Posts
Default

Amazing history lesson!! It sounds a little like the "Kellermans" resort in the Catskills immortalized in the movie "Dirty Dancing." I'm sure lots of happy memories were made there.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back
sum-r breeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2020, 01:55 PM   #14
KGPrince
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post
Default

My family bought Mountain View Farm in 1934 and after some research found the property had been a Grant from the the Kings spool it became the Kings Grant Inn. Over the next 8 -9 years it became one of the top places to go for dinner or corporate meetings. Guests would come by train and stay for the summer also groups of employees from such businesses as I J Fox in Boston would come by the bus load for 2+ weeks. My father was the King, my mother the queen, my sister the princess and I was the prince, this is where I grew up. In 1945 we sold the Kings Grant to two couples, one was named Carlson, the both came with their inlaws, they did not own it very long, they sold it to Ralph and Margaret Krause, they turned it into a first date resort that had a wonderful reputation. When they sold the Grant it went down hill and was sad to see. At one point the bank owned it and it went to the auction, a lot of the rooms were condemned. I did have some happy memories there. The info that was posted was from when Ralph Krause owned it. I live in Rhode Island now and my son, who lives in Florida saw the post and sent it to me. Someone mentioned the toboggan slide. My dad built it and it was quite a thrill going down the slide and staying in the built up trail thru the field then ending up by the woods.

Last edited by KGPrince; 05-20-2020 at 05:47 PM.
KGPrince is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to KGPrince For This Useful Post:
Barney Bear (05-20-2020), JEEPONLY (05-20-2020), TCC (07-18-2020), Top-Water (05-20-2020), webmaster (05-21-2020)
Old 05-20-2020, 02:27 PM   #15
Descant
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Merrimack and Welch Island
Posts: 4,004
Thanks: 1,204
Thanked 1,498 Times in 975 Posts
Default Thank you

Interesting info. Thank you so much for the details.
Descant is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

This page was generated in 0.27825 seconds