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 The James E. Nichols
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The village district of Center Harbor, listed with the National Register of Historic Places, consists of 13 buildngs noted for their historic value.  The CH Historical Society has published a brochure which provides a walking tour of the district. Copies are available at the Library.

The Dearborn Place (1867). A 2.5 story Victorian home (2) with attached carriage house built by Charles Dearborn. Currently serves as an office for Lamprey Real Estate.

The Sutton Place (1860-1878) and Longwood Barn (1876).  Built by Ebenezer Sutton, the Sutton Place (3) is a 2.5 story mansard with an attached carriage house. It is in process of restoration from an 1993 fire.  The nearby Barn (1) was owned at one time by railraod publishing magnate G. W. Armstrong.

The Congregational Church (United Church of Christ -1837).  A classic white frame New Engalnd church hosue. Land for the structure (5) was given by Joh and Lacinia Coe in 1837.  The vestry and front vestibule were added in 1885.  The structure was raised so the verstry could be built underneath the main hall.

Site of
 The Senter House (1830).  The land now occupied by the Post Office (6) and Town Office (7) was once the site of the three story Senter House Hotel.  Unitl it was destroyed by fire in 1887, it provided residence for vacationaers and travelers. A liveray stable, which also occupied the site, burned in 1963.  Several other large hotels once graced the Town Center, none which are presently standing. The Colonial, located near the Heath Store/Bayswater complex, burned in 1919.   The four-story Moulton, up Plymouth Street from the Library fell innto disrepair and was torn down in 1951. Across the street from the Moulton was the Garnett Inn, which existed in various configurations (The Graves, Independence Hall, Lamprey Hall) until its purchase by Belknap College in 1963. Im 1995, it, too, was torn down.

The James E. Nichols Memorial Library (1910). Neo-classical structure (8) desinged by Charles Brigham, a noted Boston Architect.  Mr. Nichols conceived the library as a family meorial. He gave the land, the building and established a trust to guarentee for the future of the library.

Kona Fountain (1907). The fountain (9) was a gift of Herbert Dumaresq, a Boston merchant who had a summer camp in Center Harbor.  The sculptor was Richard Gerry Cook (1869-1955), a student of St. Gaudens, who was also reckoned "one of America's foremost artists in the medium of decorative pottery (Boson Globe, 4/20/1955)."

The Heath Store  (Bayswater/Yikes gallery). No date.  Heaths (12), now located in the Senters Markeplace complex, supplied flour, sugar, seeds yard goods, kerosene and tobacco to residents.  Today, the building is home to several shops, inclduing the Yikes Gallery and Baywater Books.

The Town Watefront. In the 1880s, tourists arriving at Alton or Laconia could catch a steamer to Center Harbor and its many hotels.  The waterfront (16) is still a stop and winter port for the MS Mt. Washington. The docks serve a host of small craft and the town beach is enjoyed by bathers and picnickers.


The Coe House (Glencoe). 1820-23.  The origianl structure (11) was enlarged and given a Victorian makeover by Daniel Coe in 1850.  Presidents Grant and Cleveland were entertained there.  Now the Coe House Restaurant.

The Nichols Store (Ferrante bldg). No date. The orginal building (10) was a one-story home and store . The upper floor was added by owner Rufus Fellows in the 1850s. In 1905, the towns first telephone switchboard was installed there.  The building is now the home of  Rick Dawgs ice crem shop and several apartments.

Leonard Morrill Memorial Park(1952).  Originally part of the Moulton House property,the land (13) was donated by the Dane family as a meorial to this much loved country doctor.

Village Schoolhouse (Historical Society), 1880s.  Located up the hill just past Kelsea Avenue, the Village School held classes from 1998 through 1971.  The building is now the home of the town Historical Society and Museum.

The Sheafe House (1880s), Grange Hall (1916) and the Lady of Victory Church (1907). Take a right onto Kelsea Avenune (15) avenue from Plymouth Street to find these structures. The Sheafe House is a 2.5 empire structue with a mansard roof and estensive veranda. It was built by William Sheafe, a Portsmouth merhcant.  It was recently moved from its main street foundation to a lcoation off kelsea behind the Heath market.  The Grange Hall, now a priate residence, is on Kelley Court. The Church, now a rental property, is noted for its stained glasss and oak interior.  Along Kelsea Avenue are homes of various architectraul styles.










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