45-523: Weirs Beach is an area within the northern part of the city of Laconia in Belknap County , New Hampshire , United States. It is located on the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee . The cruise ship Mount Washington terminates there. It is a popular destination of bikers during Motorcycle Week every June. Weirs Beach, or "The Weirs" as it is referred to by locals, is named for a wide, sandy, public beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. Adjacent to
90-492: A 95-acre (38 ha) farm which covered most of what is now Meredith Village. After his marriage in 1809, he gradually purchased land on both sides of the Measly Pond Brook, related water rights, and several mills. From 1816 to 1818, Swasey constructed a 600-foot (180 m) rock-lined canal that redirected the flow from Lake Waukewan, and created a 30-foot (9.1 m) drop at a single rock-lined sluiceway at what
135-452: A city in 1893. Laconia is located northwest of the geographic center of Belknap County. The city lies at the center of New Hampshire 's Lakes Region , and all or part of four major bodies of water lie within its limits: Lake Winnipesaukee , Lake Winnisquam , Opechee Bay and Paugus Bay (sometimes counted as an arm of Winnipesaukee, but historically a separate body of water). Laconia contains three main villages. Downtown Laconia, where
180-666: A citywide vote, while the city manager is hired by the council. The council consists of six members who are elected from the six single-member wards. In the New Hampshire Senate , Laconia is in the 7th district, represented by Republican Harold F. French . On the New Hampshire Executive Council , Laconia is in the 1st district, represented by Republican Joseph Kenney . In the United States House of Representatives , Laconia
225-459: A household in the city was $ 37,796, and the median income for a family was $ 45,307. Males had a median income of $ 31,714 versus $ 22,818 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,540. About 7.5% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over. Laconia is governed by a mayor-council and city manager system. The Mayor and council are elected in
270-621: A junction with US 3 near the north end of the Laconia Bypass. US 3 continues north along the east shore of Paugus Bay, through Weirs Beach and into Meredith. Route 11 leads east from the Laconia Bypass past Glendale and into Alton . New Hampshire Route 11B leads east from Weirs Beach into Gilford. The former Boston and Maine Railroad White Mountain Branch, originally built as the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad, enters Laconia at
315-512: Is also a vital active link to the National rail network for the tourist operator to ship and receive equipment for their own use and also to perform contract work at the railroad's Lincoln repair shops. Laconia Municipal Airport is located just east of the city limits in Gilford. A recreational trail called the W.O.W. Trail ( Winnipesaukee – Opechee – Winnisquam ) links several parts of
360-465: Is crossed by U.S. Route 3 , New Hampshire Route 25 , New Hampshire Route 104 , and New Hampshire Route 106 . It is bordered by the towns of Sanbornton to the southwest, New Hampton to the west, Center Harbor to the north, Moultonborough to the northeast across Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford to the southeast, and Laconia to the south. Like many other towns of the Lakes Region , Meredith
405-464: Is dominated by several large bodies of water. About half of the town's southeastern boundary with its neighbor Laconia is occupied by Lake Winnisquam , while the northern half of town lies within a peninsula, Meredith Neck, that separates Meredith Bay from the main body of Lake Winnipesaukee, giving Meredith an extensive coastline. Bear Island , the second largest on Winnipesaukee, and Stonedam Island , along with dozens of smaller islands are also part of
450-807: Is home to the Colonial Theatre , the CAKE Theatre , and the Opera House . One of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world takes place in Laconia during nine days in June, ending on Father's Day. Founded in 1923, attendance was 375,000 in 2004 and 188,000 in 2010. Events include races, shows, and a motorcycle hill climb competition. Held annually, the Laconia Multicultural Festival is a community event that highlights
495-562: Is in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district , represented by Democrat Chris Pappas . Laconia leans Republican, but has occasionally voted for Democratic candidates. Laconia's public school system is run by the Laconia School District, School Administrative Unit 30. Laconia School District has one public high school, one middle school and three elementary schools: There are two parochial schools within
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#1732773297628540-537: Is in the 2nd district, represented by Republican Bob Giuda . On the New Hampshire Executive Council , Meredith is in the 1st district, represented by Republican Joseph Kenney . In the United States House of Representatives , Meredith is in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district , represented by Democrat Chris Pappas . Meredith's Inter-Lakes Middle High School is home to the Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium, which plays host to
585-575: Is now the Mill Falls Marketplace. The new, more powerful waterfall ran sawmills , gristmills , cotton mills , and in 1895, the Meredith Electric Light Company . By 1859 Meredith village had a sawmill , gristmill , shingle mill , blacksmith shop , harness-maker's shop and tannery . Situated at the outlet of Wickwas Lake , Meredith Center had a sawmill, gristmill and blacksmith shop. Connected by
630-437: Is the commercial hub of the town, lying between the northern tip of Meredith Bay (one of several large arms of Lake Winnipesaukee ) and Lake Waukewan . A second village, Meredith Center, is located near the shores of Lake Wickwas closer to the geographic center of the town. Meredith Center has much less commercial development than Meredith Village, being located near several protected state forests and wildlife areas. The town
675-493: The 2010 census . It is the county seat of Belknap County. Laconia, situated between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam , includes the villages of Lakeport and Weirs Beach . Each June, the city hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week , also more simply known as "Bike Week", one of the country's largest rallies . Laconia is named after the Greek region of Laconia (Greek: Λακωνία, Lakonía , Greek pronunciation: [lakoˈni.a]) in
720-614: The Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad in March 1849, the town became a summer resort. Passengers also arrived from the Alton Bay depot aboard steamboats , the most famous of which was the original SS Mount Washington , launched in 1872. Meredith remains a popular tourist destination. In 1974, the Swasey family donated land to create Swasey Park on Lake Waukewan near the beginning of
765-558: The Merrimack River watershed . The highest point in Laconia is a 960-foot (290 m) hill in the northern part of the city, west of Paugus Bay's Pickerel Cove and just east of Route 106. As of the 2000 census , there were 16,411 people, 6,724 households, and 4,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 809.3 inhabitants per square mile (312.5/km ). There were 8,554 housing units at an average density of 421.8 per square mile (162.9/km ). The racial makeup of
810-551: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 26.1 square miles (67.6 km ), of which 19.8 square miles (51.4 km ) are land and 6.3 square miles (16.2 km ) are water, comprising 23.93% of the city. Laconia is drained by the Winnipesaukee River. It is bounded in the southwest by Lake Winnisquam , and by Lake Winnipesaukee in the northeast. Laconia lies fully within
855-507: The colonies . Farmers grew corn , wheat, rye and potatoes, but the area became noted for apple orchards. The water rights to the natural Measly Pond Brook (a.k.a. Corliss Brook) was purchased by John Jenness in 1795, and used to power a gristmill and sawmill in Meredith Village, though it was not the best local waterpower source. The brook drained Lake Waukewan into Lake Winnipesauke. In 1800, John Bond Swasey inherited
900-405: The 2,941 households, 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were headed by married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. Of all households, 27.5% were made up of individuals, and 11.6% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27, and the average family size
945-549: The Belknap County Courthouse is located, can be found in the southern tip of the city, along the Winnipesaukee River between Opechee Bay to the north and Lake Winnisquam to the southwest. Lakeport , located between Opeechee Bay and Paugus Bay, is near the geographic center of the city. Weirs Beach , around the channel connecting Paugus Bay with Lake Winnipesaukee, lies at the northern edge of
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#1732773297628990-677: The Belmont town line near Lake Winnisquam and runs north through the city, through Lakeport and along Paugus Bay to Weirs Beach and Meredith. Purchased by the State of New Hampshire in 1975, the tracks are actively used for freight purposes by the New England Southern Railroad and for tourist train service by the Plymouth & Lincoln Railroad between Meredith and Lakeport, with occasional service out of Laconia. The line
1035-643: The Endicott surveying party visited the area, an event commemorated by Endicott Rock, a local landmark. A fort would be built at Laconia in 1746. But ongoing hostilities between the English , French , and their respective Native American allies prevented settlement until 1761, after which it remained for many years a part of Meredith and Gilford called Meredith Bridge . Beginning in 1765, lumber and grist mills were established on Mill Street, with taverns built soon thereafter on Parade Street. About 1822,
1080-588: The beach and comprising the center of the village are a boulevard and boardwalk that run along a quarter mile stretch of Lakeside Ave. The main summer port of the Winnipesaukee Flagship Company's MS Mount Washington is located on the boulevard. A large public dock is also evident at this popular stop for boaters on Lake Winnipesaukee. On the opposite side of the street are several seasonal arcades and vendors that have been located there for many years. The Winnipesaukee Pier juts out into
1125-469: The canal. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 54.6 square miles (141.3 km ), of which 40.1 square miles (103.8 km ) are land and 14.5 square miles (37.5 km ), or 26.37%, are water. The highest point in Meredith is the summit of Leavitt Mountain, elevation 1,414 feet (431 m) above sea level , in the southwestern part of town. Meredith village
1170-672: The city limits of Laconia: There is one area institution of higher education with a total enrollment of approximately 1,000 students: Laconia is home to the Winnipesaukee Muskrats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). The franchise began play in 2010 at Robbie Mills Field in Laconia. Each winter, the city hosts the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby. Laconia
1215-553: The city was 96.79% White, 0.55% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population. There were 6,724 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who
1260-546: The city's largest employer would be the Laconia Car Company , builder of rail , trolley and subway cars. Started in 1848, it lasted until the 1930s. The railroad entered town in 1849, carrying both freight and an increasing number of summer tourists to popular Weirs Beach. In 1855, Laconia was incorporated as a town from land in Meredith Bridge, Lakeport, Weirs and part of Gilmanton . The name
1305-439: The city, following the railroad tracks from Lake Winnisquam, skirting the downtown area, and running to Lakeport. A desire to extend the trail to Weirs Beach has been contested by residents in private communities abutting the rail corridor. The proposed removal of active rail for said extension is contested also by railroad companies actively using the tracks and the State of New Hampshire Bureau of Rail and Transit. According to
1350-731: The city. U.S. Route 3 passes through parts of the city, bypassing downtown but passing through Weirs Beach. New Hampshire Route 11 bypasses the city in a concurrency with US 3. The two highways lead southwest from Laconia to Tilton and Franklin . New Hampshire Route 11A represents the old routes 11 and 3 through downtown as Court Street and Union Avenue, but then turns east on Gilford Avenue to lead to Gilford and West Alton . New Hampshire Route 106 runs north-south through downtown, leading south to Concord and north to Meredith . New Hampshire Route 107 leads southeast from downtown towards Gilmanton and Pittsfield . Route 107 turns north in downtown and follows Union Avenue (former Route 3) to
1395-560: The courthouse was built, which would become county seat at the creation of Belknap County in 1840. In 1823, the Belknap Mill was built to manufacture textiles ; in operation by 1828, the structure is today a museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest unaltered brick textile mill in the country. Local industry produced lumber , textiles, shoes, hosiery , knitting machinery and needles. But
Weirs Beach, New Hampshire - Misplaced Pages Continue
1440-683: The lake from the main boulevard. The pier was constructed in 1925 and was a bustling spot for many years attracting many of the most famous big band groups of the time. The Weirs Beach area contains the Winnipesaukee Playhouse , Funspot , Mount Washington Cruises , the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad , the Weirs Drive-In Theater, several other attractions, and various motels, cottage complexes, and condominiums. There are four marinas in
1485-517: The land surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee. In 1748, it was one of the first towns to have a charter granted by the Masonian Proprietors . Many grantees were from Salem, Massachusetts , so Palmer's Town was renamed "New Salem". It was settled in 1766 by Jacob Eaton and Colonel Ebenezer Smith, then regranted in 1768 by Governor John Wentworth and named after Sir William Meredith, 3rd Baronet , a member of Parliament who opposed taxation on
1530-574: The music, arts, crafts and cuisine of cultural artists. The festival was created by former Mayor Matthew Lahey and former Police Chief Bill Baker in 2000. After the city council of Keene, New Hampshire , rejected the permit for their annual Pumpkin Festival to be held there following riots in the city's neighborhoods in 2014, it was announced that Laconia would host the festival for the city's first time in 2015. The twenty-fifth New Hampshire Pumpkin Fest
1575-551: The ports of call for the MS ; Mount Washington . Meredith Village, where 2,527 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined as the Meredith census-designated place , and is located at the junction of U.S. Route 3 and New Hampshire Route 25 at the head of Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. Meredith was first known as "Palmer's Town" in honor of Samuel Palmer, a teacher of surveying and navigation who laid out much of
1620-623: The southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. A large Abenaki Indian settlement called Aquadoctan once existed at the point now known as The Weirs, named by colonists for fishing weirs discovered at the outlet of the Winnipesaukee River . Early explorers had hoped to follow the Piscataqua River north to Lake Champlain in search of the great lakes and rivers of Canada mentioned in Indian folklore . About 1652,
1665-508: The town. Several smaller lakes lie between Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam, including Wickwas Lake and Pemigewasset Lake . Lake Waukewan forms the western edge of the Meredith Village CDP and extends into neighboring New Hampton. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is " Dfb " (Humid Continental Climate). As of the 2010 census , there were 6,241 people, 2,708 households, and 1,777 families residing in
1710-416: The town. There were 4,728 housing units, of which 2,020, or 42.7%, were vacant. Of the vacant units, 1,710 were for seasonal or recreational use. The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.3% some other race, and 1.0% from two or more races. Of the population, 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of
1755-409: The village for boat rentals, sales, storage, and maintenance. Weirs Beach hosts a regular summer concert series and is the traditional focal point of Laconia Motorcycle Week . Laconia, New Hampshire Laconia ( / l ə ˈ k oʊ n i ə / lə- KOHN -ee-ə ) is a city in Belknap County, New Hampshire , United States. The population was 16,871 at the 2020 census , up from 15,951 at
1800-408: Was $ 63,028, and the median income for a family was $ 80,076. Male full-time workers had a median income of $ 62,944 versus $ 42,734 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 36,510; 12.4% of the population and 8.7% of families were below the poverty line. Of the population, 22.5% under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 or older were living in poverty. In the New Hampshire Senate , Meredith
1845-402: Was 2.71. In the town, 18.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.8% were from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males. For the period 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for a household
Weirs Beach, New Hampshire - Misplaced Pages Continue
1890-498: Was 6,662 at the 2020 census . Meredith is situated in the state's Lakes Region and serves as a major resort town . Meredith Village, the commercial center of the town, lies along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee , and several other large lakes lie partially or completely within the town borders. It is home to the Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad , and it serves as one of
1935-449: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males. The median income for
1980-432: Was held on October 24, 2015, with fewer than ten thousand jack-o'-lanterns lit. The festival has continued to be held in Laconia annually since. The city has multiple sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places : The Jack Reacher novel, Past Tense , was set in and around Laconia. Meredith, New Hampshire Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire , United States. The population
2025-659: Was probably derived from the old Laconia Company, formed by Captain John Mason and the Masonian Proprietors to sell parcels of land during the colonial era. The Great Fire of 1860 destroyed most of Main Street from Mill to Water streets, followed by the Great Lakeport Fire of 1903, a blaze so fierce that fire companies were brought by train from as far away as Dover . Laconia was incorporated as
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