Irwins 1950s
Circa 1950 photo of Irwin’s. This photo has been colorized. The colorized photo is ©2017 and may not be used without permission. The Miss Winnpesaukee speedboat is ready to take its next group of passengers for a ride.
The original, black and white, circa 1950 photo of Irwin’s, “At the Weirs, Lake Winnipesaukee”. Notice the Hotel Winnecoette high up on the hill in the upper left corner of the photo. Also notice the gas dock featuring Jenny Gasoline. Scroll down for more info about Jenny Gasoline.
Color slide of Irwin’s, from 1957. Notice the waterski ramp, lower left.
Another color slide of Irwin’s from the 1950’s.
A crowd watches a water ski show while the Foxy approaches the main wharf.
For a terrific video about Irwin’s click here. The video is about Irwin Marine, and debuted on NH’s WMUR TV station Chronicle show on May 1st, 2012. However, the video also includes some rare footage of the old Mount Washington steamer in action, scenes from its 1939 destruction, and the launching of its replacement, the MS Mount Washington
Jenny Gasoline
The Jenney Manufacturing Company’s home office was on the old Central Wharf at 75 Central Street in Boston. Founded in 1812, it initially sold whale oil, coal, and kerosene. Beginning in 1884, it sold gasoline. It built up a large network of gas dealers throughout New England and was New England’s “largest independent gasoline marketer with a countrywide reputation for quality” before it was bought out in 1968 by Cities Services, better known as Citgo.
A map of Jenney locations. Besides the Weirs, Jenney had three other locations on Lake Winnipesaukee – in Lakeport, Glendale, and Alton Bay.
“Watching the Races at the Weirs” titled postcard, 1950s. A crowd is gathered at the Jenny gas dock and at the Mount Washington wharf to watch a racing event in Weirs Bay. The caption on the postcard reads “Weekly races of speed boats, sail boats, etc. are immensely popular at this summer resort and are witnessed by thousands crowding the shores. National championships are held here from time to time.”
Miss Winnipesaukee Speedboat
The Miss Winnipesaukee speedboat in a color postcard from the 1950s.
The Miss Winnipesaukee speedboat in a photo postcard from the 1940s.
Miss Winnipesaukee speedboat ride tickets.
Advertisement from the 1956 Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce booklet.
Advertisement from the 1949 Lakes Region Association’s Where To guidebook. Notice the Uncle Sam heading out in the background.
Advertisement photo from the 1959 Lakes Region Association’s Where To guidebook. The ad claimed that over 1 million people had enjoyed the thrilling ride.
A group of Motorcyclists, in club uniform, ride the speedboat. From the May, 1952 issue of American Motorcycling.
Looking down on the speedboats from the deck above. Photo from a 1946 Laconia Chamber of Commerce brochure.
Irwin’s, 1940’s.
1920s-1930s
A 1930’s view of the old Mount Washington steamer, from the stairs that descended down to the speedboat ride.
The same postcard, in its non-colorized, black & white version, shows a little more detail. This postcard was postmarked in 1926.
Irwin’s in the late 1920s.
Irwin in the 1930s.
