The Shore Path
The Shore Path was a walkway along the eastern, Lake Winnipesaukee edge of the Methodist Campground. It followed the shoreline around Doe Point, from today’s Winnipesaukee Pier to the Akwa Marina. For the most part, the pathway no longer exists, as private lakefront property homeowners have closed off access over the years. As of 2025, there are 18 separate, shorefront properties along the former shore path, with an average valuation of $1,350,000.
The Shore Path was widely used by all the residents of the waterfront in its early years.
The Shore Path had a railing in its initial section.
The publisher of the postcard below, Detroit Publishing, has cleverly inserted their logo onto the sidewalk, on the lower left.
A postcard postmarked in 1912 has a view looking down Meredith Bay from the Shore Path.
The Shore Path had a great view of the Lake. Seen here are Pinnacle Hill and Mount Chocorua.
Various postcard views of the Shore Path. The first card called the path the “Sore” Path and mis-spelled the “Wiers”. The card shows a family gathered at their house on the Weirs waterfront, but does not show the actual path. Right behind the family is a large rock, which is also seen in the following two old postcards. This rock still exists, as seen in the contemporary photo below, taken on July 15, 2025. This unnamed rock should not be confused with “Profile Rock”, a more famous rock on the Shore Path (see below).
The following postcards show the entrance to the Shore Path. All of the postcards and photos of the Shore Path on this webpage (except the one indicated) are looking in the same, northward direction.
A bit further along the Shore Path from the entrance.
An elaborate boathouse, with gazebo on top, circa 1880s, on the Shore Path. From a stereoview by Moulton.
Ladies fishing, along the Shore Path. Brickyard Mountain is seen descending down to the lake in the background of the photo.
Brickyard Mountain is once again seen descending down to the lake in the background of this postcard, postmarked in 1908.
“A bit of shore at Weirs, Lake Winnipesaukee”, by Detroit Publishing.
Photo of the shore path by Detroit Publishing
Along the Shore Path, Lake Winnipesaukee, Weirs, N.H. This is the only shore path image looking in a southward direction.
Profile Rock (Old Man of Winnipesaukee)
Walkers heading south along the shore path encountered an unusual rock that resembled an old man. The rock was first dubbed “Profile Rock” in the 1880s. Later, the rock was glorified in a couple of old postcards as “The Old Man of Winnipesaukee”, taking a cue from New Hampshire’s state emblem, the former Old Man of the Mountain, which crumbled down Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch in 2003. Unlike the Old Man of the Mountain, Profile Rock is still intact today, sitting right in front of the former auditorium at Methodist Circle.
Engraving from the 1889 “Weirs Souvenir” booklet.
Illustration from a 1892 Lakeside House advertisement
A family poses with the Profile Rock circa 1900
In an even later postcard, the rock is called an “Indian Chief” of the White Mountains, perhaps recalling Indian Head (Mt. Pemigewassett, in Franconia Notch.)
Contemporary photo of the rock, taken on June 29, 2025.
The other side of Profile Rock was a hollowed out cavity that can be seen in the photos below. Methodist Circle residents familiar with the history of the Rock have said that fires were often set in the cavity by the Native Americans that inhabited Weirs Beach before white settlement. The fires were used as a beacon to guide nightime paddlers back to their village, or as a daytime source for smoke signals. Photos taken October 3, 2025.
Old Man of Eagle Island
Not to be confused with the Old Man of Winnipesaukee on Doe Point, there was another “Old Man” rock in Weirs Bay, located on Eagle Island. Eagle Island is located close to Governor’s Island. There is a narrow channel between the two islands used by boats leaving or entering Weirs Bay. There is now a house on the privately-owned island. It is not known if the rock is still there.
In the following postcard, the Old Man of Eagle Island is referred to simply as the “Red Rock”. It is doubtful the rock was actually reddish, as granite is gray in color, as seen in the previous three postcard depictions. More likely, this postcard was just an allusion to an Indian Chief, i.e., a “Red Man”. Both terms are considered offensive today, instead of the politically correct term, “Native American”.
The theme of an old man pictured in rock was widespread during the early postcard era. Here is a postcard of another “Profile Rock” on Lake Winnipesaukee, this time in Tuftonboro.
