Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Resources
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Municipal |
Private South Road Cemetery Association |
Also see Community Projects pages for more on individual sites
The purpose of this page is to note some details on items of historical interest, but more importantly, to provide the reader with cites and links to Belmont's rich history. Please use these resources for more information on Belmont's past.
Belmont Keeps Moving Forward With The Past
The Weirs Times 12/20/12
Additional Photo Credits: P.1 contemporary picture Linda Frawley; P.22 Wallace Rhodes; P.23 Belmont Historical Society collection (Mill); P. 23 Belmont Historical Society collection (Gift of the Bernard Boutin family)-incorrect date-built in 1908 and Belmont Heritage Society should read Commission; P.24 aerial view assisted by the Belmont Fire Department photographed by Brenda Paquette at the inqugural "Deck the Village" Christmas Festival in 2008; P.24 Shayne Duggan; P.25 Christopher P. Williams Architects; P.25 Belmont mill "today" is 2010, prior to ARRA grant LED lantern installation.
Village Walking Tour
Belmont Charter - History of Belmont's Charter/Creation
Early County Histories
NH Gazetteer - 1817
Everett Weeks is still planting corn in Belmont; turned 80 years old Sunday. Thomas Caldwell/Laconia Daily Sun 5/26/17
Friends and Neighbors surprise Everett Weeks on his 79th birthday. Friends and neighbors toss surprise birthday party for Everett Weeks Daily Sun 6/11/16
Old Home Day-August 12, 2017
(Left to right) Elaine Corriveau, a cousin of the late Wallace Rhodes holds one of his paintings with the Belmont Mill and Bandstand as Village focal points. With her are longtime friends of the artist and historian, Bob Rein and Sherman Gammon, all of Belmont. Courtesy Photo
When 82 year old Wallace Rhodes died last month, he was widely and kindly remembered for generosity to the Belmont community. For some 50 years he served as a volunteer, elected official, and the Town's leading preservation advocate -- notably for the Belmont Mill rehabilitation after a massive 1992 fire, and the 1792 Province Road Meeting House. Old Home Days were a favorite time, and he enjoyed presiding over a collection of vintage photos, carefully curated and researched, and annually displayed at the historic Belmont Public Library.
This Saturday's Old Home Day (August 12) the Library will still host Mr, Rhodes, with a tribute featuring his paintings of special Belmont places, past and present, and a book of memories organized by Friends of the Bandstand. According to Library Trustee Chairman Mary-Louise Charnley, a Book of Condolences will also be available for extending sympathy with signatures, and other remembrances. Subjects of the paintings include the Mill complex, in the early 1900s with multiple buildings spanning the Tioga River, an early view of the Meeting House with parishioners, carriages and horses and a wintry arrival of a passenger train, to the Town's Village and depot. Art was a new undertaking for Wallace, fostered with introductory lessons at the Belmont senior Center about 10 years ago. The paintings are on loan from cousin Elaine Corriveau and Sherman Gammon, a longtime friend.
Library staff and programming have paid special attention to local history, according to Charnley, in recent years. "Wallace was always a friend and resource. We are proud to exhibit still another example of his passion for the Belmont story." All are welcome to visit the Library, listed on the National register of Historic Places since 1985, and view memories and photos of this outstanding citizen. The Book of Condolences will also be available through this month. For Library activities see www.belmontpubliclibrary.org.
Feature of a Wallace Rhodes painting shows the Belmont Mill in early 1900s with a Bandstand performance while children play (left). Wallace Rhodes painting of a wintry train arrival to the Depot, in the Factory Village District, at Belmont's center (right). Courtesy Photos
Belmont Heritage and Preservation Fair 5/21/16
Belmont's Heritage and Preservation Fair takes place Saturday Citizen 5/20/16
Belmont Heritage Fair on Saturday celebrates town's "Special Places" Sun 5/20/16
Special Belmont places celebrated May 21 at Heritage & Preservation Fair Winni Echo 5/19/16
National Register Listed Properties
Belmont Public Library, listed 9/12/1985
NH State Register of Historic Places
Belmont Village Bandstand, listed April, 2016
Province Road Meeting House, listed 1/27/03
Belmont Mill, listed 10/26/15
Visit My NH, an online map created by the NH Division of Historic Resources. Belmont Heritage Commission adds local historic places to My NH online map Sun 3/25/17
Citizen
Laconia, NH - The Citizen newspaper in Laconia published its last edition Friday, September 30, 2016, after 90 years, including 65 years of ownership by one family, reflecting the difficulties faced by the newspaper industry as well as the unusual situation in Laconia, which had two daily newspapers.
Editor Ed Pierce attributed the closure to financial difficulties exacerbated by a shift in printing. The Citizen does have its own press and until May was printed at its sister paper, the Claremont Eagle Times, which is also owned by the Sample News Group of Pennsylvania. For reasons related to the Eagle Times’ recovery from bankruptcy, Pierce said, the printing contract was shifted to Portland, Maine, which proved too great an expense.
2006 - Greyhounds run in Belmont
After a yearlong absence, the greyhounds would soon be running again in Belmont Citizen 6/11/16
2006 - Winnisquam Fire Department Closes
Winnisquam Fire Department ends Citizen 6/25/16
2002 - Belknap Mall
Ditching its 1970s architectural appearance Citizen 10/20/12
2002 - Ames Department Store
Struggling retailer Ames Discount Stores Citizen 8/18/12
1987 - Area Students Attend new J. Oliver Huot Center at Laconia High School
Area Students Attend new Huot Center Citizen 9/22/12
1966 - Jay Hurd of Belmont first Vietnam Casualty from the Laconia Area
First Vietnam casualty Citizen 9/3/16
1934 - Dr. Nathan Brody
Dr. Brody opens Laconia office Citizen 6/9/12
1916 - Mosquito Bridge
"Mosquito Bridge" to be completed Citizen 4/23/16
1915 - Mosquito Bridge
Status Changed 100 Years Ago This Week Citizen 03/14/15
1887 - Marsh Hill Spring Water Citizen 6/23/12
List of Markers
#0149 LOCHMERE ARCHEOLOGICAL DISTRICT
Location: SILVER LAKE RD 1 MILE EAST OF US 3 NEAR LOCHMERE DAM
1982 Lochmere Archeological District - National Register of Historic Places - This is a restricted site. The location of this property is restricted information under law: National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, section 304, 16 U.S,C.470w-3(a). Hence the location information has been redacted.
National Register of Historic Places in Belknap County
Wikipedia
#0235 BELMONT MILLS
Location: NH 140 @ TIOGA RIVER BRIDGE
2013 Town Officials unveiled New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker #0235 commemorating the efforts to save the Belmont Mill.
Restoration of Belmont Mill effort chronicled on new state historical marker Daily Sun 7/19/13
Saving the Belmont Mill Citizen 2013
Belmont Mill "Miracle" commemorated with marker Union Leader 7/17/13
In August of 1909, Edwin A Grozier, owner of the Boston Post newspaper, sent to Board’s of Selectmen throughout New England, 14-carat gold headed, African ebony canes for the purpose of awarding to the oldest citizen of the town. The head of the cane reads "Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of Belmont, NH”. The original is located in Town Hall, protected for posterity in a wooden display. A replica was made for presentation. In order to be eligible the person must be a current resident. Please help us to honor the town’s newest oldest resident by sending the information to townadministrator@belmontnh.org.
2005-2007 Recipient - Lincoln W. Noel
2015-2015 Recipient - Walter Vorse. Belmont's Walter Vorse awarded Boston Post Cane Winnisquam Echo 08/06/15
October 19-25, 2015
2015 Preserving Belmont history was front and center October 19-25 as citizens, Belmont Elementary School, and the Town’s Public Library lead the fifth commemoration of New Hampshire History Week. Stories of landmarks and legacy were shared community-wide, at indoor and outdoor locations, as special places and people were recognized in classrooms, public meetings, and historic buildings.
The community partnership launched free programs Monday, and all Belmont residents, neighbors, and friends were welcome. Week-long activities started with morning announcements at Belmont Elementary. Students from Mrs. Vicki Donovan’s fourth grade classes read and reported "Historical Belmont Minutes” offering a few facts about important Village buildings and places.
Also on Monday, the 1928 Main Street Library building, distinguished by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, opened an exhibit of archives treasures, not usually displayed due to limited space. For many residents, local research starts at the library and has been fostered by director Eileen Gilbert and her staff, with updated resources including genealogical software.
The 1908 Village Bandstand was honored on Monday, October 19 by a visit and brief program with State Senator Jeanie Forrester, who serves on the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) board of directors as a Legislative member, and Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance (NHPA). The NHPA recognized the restoration effort, begun in October, 2013, with the prestigious Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Preservation Achievement Award in May.
More recognition followed in the Corner Meeting House at 5:30 p.m. when the Board of Selectmen announce 2015 Community Heritage Award recipients. The award cites exemplary residents and quality of life improvements, and has been presented with the Heritage Commission since 2011.
The Belmont Historical Society, founded in 1969, holds its annual meeting on Tuesday evening in the Belmont Mill at 7:00 p.m. and encourages current, former, and new members to attend. The organization welcomes all to a Friday "Open House” at the 1792 Province Road Meeting House, deeded to the Society in 1981, with recently completed major stabilization and exterior restoration which were funded by members, citizens, and two LCHIP grants. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon while a fall spruce-up of the building is underway by volunteers and the Belknap County Restorative Justice Program, with further help from the Belknap County Conservation District.
A highlight of the effort is a Village Walking Tour on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. led by preservation advocate and local history author, Wallace Rhodes. The presentation starts at the Belmont Public Library, distinguished for its architecture in 1985 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior with listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides its façade, now undergoing a major masonry restoration, the building has notable and original furnishings including a Grandfather clock repaired and rehabilitated by local businessman Dennis Carignan, with help from local artist Pauline Murphy.
Photo IDs: The 1792 Province Road Meeting House and 1908 Village Bandstand both completed major restoration and rehabilitation efforts supported by the community and three matching challenge grants from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Project (LCHIP). Both sites host programs during NH History Week, October 19-25. Photos: Linda Frawley
NH History Week - Belmont Schedule
Belmont Kicks Off History Week Citizen 10/20/15
Heritage Commission News - November, 2015
2014
Revitalization, school changes, new police chief in Belmont Citizen 01/02/15
2013
The Year in Review: 2013 Winni Echo 12/26/13
In 1893 the Belmont Acquaduct Company constructed the municipal water system. Three wells were dug on Windmill Hill and the reservoir was constructed with a capacity of 115,000 gallons. Water was conducted to houses through wooden (logs) pipes which were banded with iron. Late in the same year the town voted to purchase the assets of this Company for $9,000. Included in the purchase were twenty hydrants, 500 feet of hose, a hose carriage and fire fighting tools.
Rhodes, Wallace P. with assistance and guidance of the Centennial Book Committee Reminiscences of a New Hampshire Town The Belmont Centennial 1869-1969
2013
A famous face visits Belmont Winni Echo 9/19/13
Former Belmont Postmaster Credited with Thwarting 1960 Presidential-Elect Assassination Attempt
2013 - The story is about the heroism of former Postmaster and community leader Thomas Murphy - widely credited as thwarting a 1960 assassination attempt on then President-elect John F. Kennedy. Pauline "Polly" Murphy, his widow, provided family files and memorabilia for a Travel Channel History show, Mysteries at the Museum, shot on site in 2013 at the Belmont Public Library. The segment interviewed veteran political journalist and author Jeff Greenfield, whose book "Then Everything Changed", brought the incident to light.
NH man was accused of 1960 JFK plot to blow up JFK Union Leader 11/17/13
Historians re-visit Belmont resident's foiled assassination attempts against JFK Winnisquam Echo 9/26/13
A famous face visits Belmont Winnisquam Echo 09/19/13
TV Show to tell story of Belmont man who planned to blow up JFK in 1960 & the observant postmaster who stopped him Union Leader 09/19/13
2012 Residents celebrate town's history at Belmont Bandstand Citizen 7/26/12