Interesting Ossipee

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

A theatre in a meetinghouse, an Indian Mound, a lost ski area, the advent of the railroad, the invention of the snowmobile, and more are reasons why the Ossipee area is quite interesting.

Travelers going to the Mount Washington Valley/Conway area pass through Ossipee on their way further north. The town is old – it was incorporated in 1784. The English built a fort in the town in 1650. It was this fort that Captain John Lovewell rebuilt in the early 1700s. The rebuilt fort was near Ossipee Lake and offered safety from outside attacks.

Originally, the English granted Ossipee to John Mason in 1622. Although the history is complicated, the long and short of it was the Masonian Proprietors on New Hampshire’s seacoast took control of the land that was to become Ossipee and commenced selling off parcels to anyone who wanted to own land in the area.

By the 1820s, the timber industry was underway in the Ossipee area, with residents setting up sawmills on the rivers. The timber they prepared was handy for locals who wanted to build homes or expand what they already owned.

Bigger timber companies floated logs to the rivers near Ossipee Lake. As the area grew, small offshoot communities formed here and there in Ossipee, creating the West Ossipee and Center Ossipee areas. Each of these hamlets had a church, a store, mills and houses.

By the late 1800s, the railroad opened the area to outsiders, and soon vacationers began to arrive. A railroad station came to Ossipee around 1870. With the access to the northern part of the state, vacationers explored the mountains and lakes of Ossipee and Conway. As in other remote places, farmers and homesteaders opened their doors to travelers and rented rooms in their homes. This was before the advent of the grand hotels and inns, and lodgings were few and far between.

A unique feature in the town is the Indian Mound in Center Ossipee. The mound is located near the Indian Mound Golf Course. It was thought to be an Indian cemetery and is said to have been 25 ft. high and 50 ft. wide. In the 1950s, an archeological dig showed the Mound was an irregularly shaped hill made by a melting glacier.

A beloved summer camp for vacationers was the Indian Mound Camps in Ossipee. The rustic camp was a popular destination in the 1920s and 1930s, and many travelers stopped there for a meal in the restaurant. Once a traveler had dinner, they might decide to lodge at the camp overnight. The resort had a rec hall, a “filling station” (gas station), gift shop, tennis courts and of course, cabins. The added attraction was that the property ran to the shores of the lake, making it a perfect vacation spot.

The operators of the camp were Ellery Briggs and his wife. Visitors came from Boston and even further away by train to spend their vacation at the Indian Mound Camps. One can only imagine dining and socializing in the rustic restaurant where a piano offered entertainment while guests dined.

An old brochure from the business sold tourists with a description of, for its time, the height of accommodations: “The cabins on the lake accommodate easily six or eight people. Everything necessary for housekeeping is furnished except silver and linen. These cabins are modern, and of course have running water, flush toilets, screened porches, and electric lights.”

At one time, the Mount Whittier ski area in Ossipee on Rt. 25 was a busy place. It was bustling every year, and the parking lot was filled with cars on a typical weekend.

Situated on Nickerson Mountain in Ossipee, the ski area was operating by the 1940s. It offered three rope tows, and according to www.nelsap.org, it was unique, because it never operated any chair lifts, depending instead on T-bars and a well-remembered gondola to get skiers up the mountain.

By the 1960s, expansion came in the form of some new slopes at Whittier. If you skied Mount Whittier or drove by, you may have seen a four-passenger

Mueller gondola that crossed Route 16 to pick up passengers at a mid-station (www.nelsap.org information). It can be assumed the gondola passing over the highway was eye catching and unique at the time.

The gondola offered the ski area something to attract summer visitors as well, with rides up the mountain in warm weather months. While there were challenges for skiers, such as the lack of chair lifts and wait times for gondola rides, it is said the ski area’s summit café had incredible views, something nearly as important as the food when dining atop a mountain.

Mt. Whittier closed in 1985, the victim of poor snow winters. One reality was that it was hard to compete with

• Yesteryear

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Continued from page 3 the bigger mountains that had installed snow making by the 1980s. Memories of Mount Whittier by those who skied there are many, from socializing in the ski lodge to the thrill of riding in a gondola.

There is no doubt getting around in the 1800s and early 1900s was problematic, especially for country doctors who might need to battle the weather and winter storms to reach a remote farm to deliver a baby or tend a sick patient. The advent of the snowmobile solved that problem and led to today’s pastime of snowmobiling for fun.

Virgil D. White was a forward-thinking man. The Ossipee-area resident came up with the idea of attaching skis to the bottom of a car in order to make it easier to drive on snow and ice.

White, who had for a time worked as a logger, got a patent in 1917 for an attachment to convert a standard Model T into a “snowmobile.” He also was the first person to use the term snowmobile and he had the name copyrighted.

White was a local Ford dealer and knew all about the difficulty of auto travel in snowy New Hampshire. Perhaps, as he drove on a local road in a snowstorm, he thought how much easier it would be if the car had skis. This eventually led him to the snow machines so popular today. Because he worked for Ford, Mr. White sold the snow attachments through the car company. By 1922, the attachment offered was a package that could turn a Ford automobile into a “reliable snow machine” according to information in an article titled “A brief history of the Model T Ford Snowmobile” at www. modeltfordsnowmobile.com

The package included skis made from metal and wood that were placed on the front of the car. Heavy-duty tracks could be added to the rear tires for more traction and the wheels were heavy duty.

At some point, White switched to all metal tracks made of stamped steel shoes held on by chain links. Later additions included a box attached to part of the frame for the battery. Customers could order the snowmobile in three gauges: a standard 56-inch gauge for regular road travel in winter; 44-inch gauge for maneuvering the car where it was following the tracks of a horsedrawn wagon and 38-inch gauge where the car was driving over narrower sleigh tracks. Drivers could purchase a slip-on body of hard wood with a durable paint coating as part of the narrow gauge packages.

The snowmobile was very popular with those who had to travel in snowy conditions. Country doctors, mailmen, milk delivery men, those who worked deep in the snow-covered woods, firemen and others liked the durable snowmobile.

As a great endorsement for the product, when the father of President Calvin Coolidge passed away in March 1926, the Model T Snowmobile led the funeral to the cemetery over the snow-covered Vermont roads.

In about 1925, White sold the snow attachment manufacturing rights to Farm Specialty Manufacturing Company in Wisconsin. The company later purchased the patents of the Snowmobile Company and ran the factory in West Ossipee, New Hampshire. By 1929, the factory and snowmobile production ceased.

Not far from Eaton, an enterprising man named Harry Pascoe constructed a large inn called the Lake Ossipee House. The inn was quite large, with about 50 rooms. In Images of America Ossipee Riverlands by Carol C. Foord and Sheila T. Jones, it is mentioned that the inn had its own electric power plant. Pascoe must have been an astute innkeeper because the power from the Lake Ossipee House also powered Camp Ossipee, a year-round school. The school was prestigious, and a U.S. Senator’s son attended. Pascoe’s children attended the school in a barter agreement: the headmaster lodged at the inn in exchange for the Pascoe children attending the school.) The inn was destroyed by fire not many years after it was opened, but Pascoe rebuilt and offered 25 rooms to lodgers. The inn was a popular place to vacation, until it burned in 1913. Although not much information is available for an Ossipee theatre, it once brought entertainment to the area. The Pineland Theatre was in a large, barntype building in the Center Ossipee area. A charming old photograph shows the exterior of the building, with the words “Pineland” “Dancing” and “Talkies” on the front of the structure. It looks to have been a cavernous place, with tall windows and likely plenty of room to show movies, present dances and of course, the ever-popular “talkies” or talking movies versus the previous silent pictures. The building also had a dance hall and a snack bar and coffee shop.

The Pineland Theatre may have operated for some time, bringing entertainment to a rural area.

April 14, American Woodcock Walkabout, Milton, Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, pre-registration: www.mmrgnh.org., 473-2020.

April 14, Majestic Café, Friday Night Jazz, 7 pm, Heather Pierson Trio, 32 Main St., Conway, www.mountaintopmusic.org., 447-4737.

April 14, Sewing 101, Beginner Sewing Class, noon-3 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org

April 14 & 15, Sole City Dance presents Treasure Island, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.

April 14-22, Restaurant Week, shop and dine in Wolfeboro, info: www.wolfeborochamber.com

April 15, Adam Ezra Group, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 15, Friends Book Sale, 9 am-noon, Madison Public Library, 1895 Village Rd., Madison, 367-8545.

April 15, The Big Takeover – Reggae Music, Medallion Opera House, 7:30 pm, 20 Park St., Gorham, tickets/info: 466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse. org

April 15, Wild NH Day, 10 am-3 pm, free, family event, demos, fishing info., crafts, and more, NH Fish and Game, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord.

April 19, Bird Friendly Yards, 7-8 pm, Whitney Community Center, Jackson, learn how to attract local birds, by Tin Mountain Conservation Center, info: 447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

April 19, Galileo, The Starry Messenger, 6-7 pm, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 447-5552.

April 19, Solo Ukulele Performance, 1-2 pm, free solo performance by Christine Glinski, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 447-5552.

April 20, Art Installation and Ribbon Cutting, 11 am-noon, Settler’s Green, 2 Common Court, N. Conway, 888-667-9636, www.settlersgreen.com

April 20, Comedian Bob Marley, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com

April 20, Nickel Creek, 7:30 pm, Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St., Concord, tickets: www.ccanh.com, 225-1111.

April 21, Earth Day Cleanup, 10 am-noon, by Moose Mt. Regional Greenways, takes place in Milton Mills, info.: 473-2020, www.mmrgnh.org.

April 21, Family Paint Night, 6-7:30 pm, Ossipee Town Hall, Ossipee, info/ pre-register: 539-1307.

April 22, Ducks and Donuts, 8:30-11:30 am, reservations required, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Albany, info: 447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

April 22, Earth Day Trails Day, volunteering with spring trail maintenance at Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, programs, hikes, nature learning center, info: 447-6991, www.tinmountain.org

April 22, Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss & Laurel Premo, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter. com.

April 22, Tig Notaro, 7 pm, Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St., Concord, tickets: www.ccanh.com, 225-1111.

April 22, Upcycled Fashion Show, 7-8:30 pm, co-presenters: Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org. and Governor Wentworth Arts Council, info@governorwentworthartscouncil.org for tickets and info.

April 22, Working Woods: Gift of the Forest, 11 am-noon, outside event with historian Bob Cottrell, adult event, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 447-5552.

April 23, Potted Potter, 7 pm, Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St., Concord, tickets: www.ccanh.com, 225-1111.

April 24, Majestic Café, Friday Night Jazz, 7 pm, Jim McLaughlin (piano), Al Hospers (bass), Tim Gilmore (drums), 32 Main St., Conway, www.mountaintopmusic.org., 447-4737.

April 25, Hand Stitch a Stuffie, 9:30-11 am, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org. (Class for ages 6-12.)

April 25 & 27, Kids Mini Day Camp, field trips, games, pre-registration required: www.ossipee.org/ossipee-parks-recreation.

April 26, Nerf Night, $5 p/p, Ossipee Town Hall, Ossipee, info/pre-registration required: 539-1307.

April 28, Dar Williams, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 28, Low Lily CD Release, 8 pm, Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, tickets: www.ccanh.com, 225-1111.

April 28, Majestic Café, Friday Night Jazz, 7 pm, Paul Heckel (vibraphone), John Hunter (bass), Tim Gilmore (percussion), 32 Main St., Conway, www. mountaintopmusic.org., 447-4737.

April 29, Bound Birdhouse Book, 10 am-noon, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org. (Class for age18 and up.)

April 29, Low Lilly, CD release show, Medallion Opera House, 7:30 pm, 20 Park St., Gorham, tickets/info: 466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse.org

April 29, Monroe Preserve Cleanup, 9 am-1 pm, Monroe Preserve, 73 Granite Rd., Ossipee, Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, 473-2020, www. mmrgnh.org.

April 29, Motor Booty Affair, 8 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

April 29, War and Treaty, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 30, Majestic Café, Heart Songs & Circle Songs, Community Sing, 1 pm, 32 Main St., Conway, www.mountaintopmusic.org., 447-4737.

April 30, The Cold River Radio Show, 7-9 pm, The Majestic Theatre, 32 Main St., Conway, www.mountaintopmusic.org., 447-4737.

May 3, Open Mic Night, free admission, all are welcome, Medallion Opera House, doors open at 5:30 pm, 20 Park St., Gorham, tickets/info: 466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse.org

May 5, Miko Marks and Rissi Palmer, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

May 5 & 6, NH Boat Museum Clean Up Day, 9 am-1 pm, volunteer to help with clean-up to ready for opening day, info: museum@nhbm.org, 569-4554, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro.

May 6, Eileen Ivers, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

May 6, It Figures, 1-4 pm, 4 week portrait and figure drawing class, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org. (Age 18 and up.)

May 6, Thurley Mt. Preserve Cleanup, 9 am-1 pm, Thurley Mt. Preserve, Thurley Rd., Ossipee, Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, 473-2020, www. mmrgnh.org.

May 6, Upcycled Book Pages Rose Bouquet, 10 am-noon, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org. (For ages 18 and up.)

May 6 & 7, Clark Lakes Chorale Spring Concert, You’ve Got a Friend, First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 5/6: 7:30-9 pm, 5/7: 2-3:30 pm, tickets/info: clearlakeschoralenh.com.

May 11, Lone Bellow, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

May 11-June 17, Granite State Track and Field, ages 9-14, Constitution Park, Ossipee, pre-register: www.ossipee.org

May 12, Tom Rush and Matt Nakoa, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

May 13, Craft and Plant Sale, 9 am-1 pm, hosted by MWV Supports Recovery, 1620 E. Main St., Center Conway, www.mwvsupportsrecovery.org

May 13, It Figures, 1-4 pm, 4 week portrait and figure drawing class, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org. (Age 18 and up.)

May 13, Joe Henry, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.