19 and 20 Mile Bay

WeirsBeachBoater · 01-29-2014, 06:34 PM

I drove past these two bays twice in the last couple days. I am wondering if someone knows the history behind the names? I know most mile markers on the lake were named for the distance from Center Harbor, ie: 3 and 5 mile island. However that doesn't make any sense with these particular bays??? Anyone know?

tis · 01-29-2014, 07:55 PM

I was always told 19 and 20 miles from Alton Bay.

upthesaukee · 01-29-2014, 07:56 PM

Whereas Alton Bay was "the gateway to Lake Winnipesaukee", I put in Alton Bay in Google Map with a destination of 19 mile bay. I came up with 16.5 miles.

Back in the day, as they say, many would arrive at the lake via railroad, and I was thinking that perhaps travelling on the east side of the lake, via the old rte 28 and Kings Highway, and starting at the old railroad station on the west side of the bay by the Mt. Washington dock, it may very easily stretch out to 19 miles. And another mile or so to 20 mile bay.

Just a thought

.

tis · 01-30-2014, 07:30 AM

I have a feeling you are right, upthesaukee. The old road was much windier (how do you like that word?) and I have a feeling it would have been three miles longer.

camp guy · 01-30-2014, 04:21 PM

If you were an Abenaki Indian paddling from Alton Bay to 19 Mile Bay, after the first 15 miles all the rest is academic, plus, "19 Mile Bay" rolls off your tongue so much more smoothly than "16.5 mile Bay" does.

PS: "Windier" = great word, tis.!!

tis · 01-30-2014, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

If you were an Abenaki Indian paddling from Alton Bay to 19 Mile Bay, after the first 15 miles all the rest is academic, plus, "19 Mile Bay" rolls off your tongue so much more smoothly than "16.5 mile Bay" does.

PS: "Windier" = great word, tis.!!

LOL, and I didn't mean as in wind, I meant as wind. Don't you just love the English language??

You must remember the old Alton Road, Camp Guy??

WeirsBeachBoater · 01-30-2014, 08:13 PM

Ok, so measured landmarks were taken from both ends of the lake. Makes perfect sense.

Imagine the early Steamboat Capt's amazement on how short a run from CH to 20 mile bay!

skprbob · 01-31-2014, 02:31 PM

upthesaukee and tis have it right. 19 and 20 miles are via the old roads. Over the years, the roads have been "improved" (frost heaves notwithstanding!) and straightened so the distance is now less. From the intersection of NH109 and Union Wharf Road to Alton Bay via NH109, NH28 and NH28A is now about 17.5 miles.

01-29-2014, 06:34 PM	#1
WeirsBeachBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 709 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts	19 and 20 Mile Bay I drove past these two bays twice in the last couple days. I am wondering if someone knows the history behind the names? I know most mile markers on the lake were named for the distance from Center Harbor, ie: 3 and 5 mile island. However that doesn't make any sense with these particular bays??? Anyone know?

01-29-2014, 07:56 PM	#3
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,396 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	Outbound on land from Alton Bay???? Whereas Alton Bay was "the gateway to Lake Winnipesaukee", I put in Alton Bay in Google Map with a destination of 19 mile bay. I came up with 16.5 miles. Back in the day, as they say, many would arrive at the lake via railroad, and I was thinking that perhaps travelling on the east side of the lake, via the old rte 28 and Kings Highway, and starting at the old railroad station on the west side of the bay by the Mt. Washington dock, it may very easily stretch out to 19 miles. And another mile or so to 20 mile bay. Just a thought . __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

01-30-2014, 04:21 PM	#5
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,133 Thanks: 284 Thanked 480 Times in 271 Posts	19 and 20 mile bay If you were an Abenaki Indian paddling from Alton Bay to 19 Mile Bay, after the first 15 miles all the rest is academic, plus, "19 Mile Bay" rolls off your tongue so much more smoothly than "16.5 mile Bay" does. PS: "Windier" = great word, tis.!!

01-31-2014, 02:31 PM	#8
skprbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 19 Mile Bay Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 29 Posts	close upthesaukee and tis have it right. 19 and 20 miles are via the old roads. Over the years, the roads have been "improved" (frost heaves notwithstanding!) and straightened so the distance is now less. From the intersection of NH109 and Union Wharf Road to Alton Bay via NH109, NH28 and NH28A is now about 17.5 miles.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-29-2014, 07:55 PM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,400 Thanks: 718 Thanked 1,378 Times in 954 Posts	I was always told 19 and 20 miles from Alton Bay.

01-30-2014, 07:30 AM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,400 Thanks: 718 Thanked 1,378 Times in 954 Posts	I have a feeling you are right, upthesaukee. The old road was much windier (how do you like that word?) and I have a feeling it would have been three miles longer.

The Following User Says Thank You to tis For This Useful Post:
upthesaukee (01-30-2014)

01-30-2014, 08:13 PM	#7
WeirsBeachBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 709 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts	Ok, so measured landmarks were taken from both ends of the lake. Makes perfect sense. Imagine the early Steamboat Capt's amazement on how short a run from CH to 20 mile bay!

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to skprbob For This Useful Post:
KPW (02-01-2014), WeirsBeachBoater (01-31-2014)