Mother-Daughter Team Revisit a Former Vacation Spot...and Buy It.
Cottage Place on Squam Lake
RR # 1, Box 46
Scenic Drive
Ashland, NH 03217
877-968-7116
innkeepers:
Beverly Ann Smith
Susan Smith Palmer
The Cottage Place onSquam Lake was formerly
known as The Black Horse Motor Court and is located
on the town line of Holderness and Ashland, New Hampshire.
The property includes 140 feet of sandy beach frontage on Squam Lake
(otherwise known as Golden Pond.')
Susan Smith Palmer and her mother Beverly Ann Smith purchased the property
in October of 2002 and immediately started landscaping, painting, redecorating
and marketing the off seasons (fall, winter and spring). There are eight cottages
of various sizes including a six bedroom lodge and eight motel suites that
resemble studio apartments. All of the rentals have kitchens and fabulous view
of Evans Cove.
Cottage Place on Squam Lake
RR # 1, Box 46
Scenic Drive
Ashland, NH 03217
877-968-7116
innkeepers:
Beverly Ann Smith
Susan Smith Palmer
The Cottage Place onSquam Lake was formerly
known as The Black Horse Motor Court and is located
on the town line of Holderness and Ashland, New Hampshire.
The property includes 140 feet of sandy beach frontage on Squam Lake
(otherwise known as Golden Pond.')
Susan Smith Palmer and her mother Beverly Ann Smith purchased the property
in October of 2002 and immediately started landscaping, painting, redecorating
and marketing the off seasons (fall, winter and spring). There are eight cottages
of various sizes including a six bedroom lodge and eight motel suites that
resemble studio apartments. All of the rentals have kitchens and fabulous view
of Evans Cove.
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| Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Explore Squam Lake with Golden Pond Tours, offering tour boat cruises on the magnificent Squam Lake, the site of the film, On Golden Pond. Cruises will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from May 29 through June 20th at 1:00 PM, continuing with daily cruises from June 12 through October 17 at 11: 00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00PM. Additionally, the Science Center has expanded its lake education programs by offering naturalist led Nature Cruises including: Squam Naturally…from Lake to Loons, Sunset Dinner & Cruise, Under the Full Moon, and Aqua Lab. Visit the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s website for cruise descriptions and information. |
Q&A with innkeeper, Susan Smith Palmer:
Can you tell us a little bit of the history behind the Cottage Place?
The Black Horse Motor Court was built in 1957 by Milton Graton who is also
well known for constructing and renovating covered bridges throughout New
England - he authored The Last of the Covered Bridges.
This property has always been family owned and operated but I believe we are
the first mother and daughter team. The post card that I forwarded to you (see
picture on below) pictures my mother and I on the Black Horse beach in 1966
(my mom was 30 and I was 7). This postcard was a promotional piece done
while my aunt and uncle (Linda and Sam Baker) were caretakers of the property
for the original owners (Gratons).
What made you interested in buying this property?
Being local and related to the caretakers we spent a lot of time on this beautiful
beach. On our first anniversary of purchasing this property and renaming it The
Cottage Place on Squam Lake I contracted a local artist, Valeria Giordani, to
create a water color featuring the segment of the post card that had my mom and
I in it. We had prints and cards made up from her original artwork and sell them
in our little shop.
This property represents childhood dreams and family togetherness for both my
mom and me. We have a strong commitment to each other and to our families to
make this property the best it can be. We enjoy servicing the public and love
representing the Lakes Region as well as the White Mountains.
What kind of renovation work was required?
Upon purchasing this property, we set forth a landscaping plan that uncovered
some wonderful perrennial gardens that had been buried under leaves and
brush. We exchanged railroad ties with stonewalls to provide backdrops to
numerous flower beds. The property is naturally beautiful with an abundance of
birch trees and granite markers. We painted the cottage and motel trim from
black to a very subtle cottage green. We have rebuilt all the fireplaces to ensure
safety and beauty. The bathrooms in the motel suites have been updated with
completely new walls and tubs. We evacuated all of the carpet in the cottages
and exposed hardwood floors that we have covered with antique braided and
hook rugs. Our decorating style consists of using antique furniture and vintage
fabrics yielding a very country cozy cottage charm. We also installed a huge
white cedar play set purchased from CedarWorks in Rockport, Me
(www.cedarworks.com) This area of the property is popular for all age groups -
the teens love the gazebo! The parents love the adirondack chairs surrounding
the $5800.00 play area as they browse through a magazine or read an interesting
book. We know here "if the kids are happy, the parents are happy".
What is your favorite spot or room?
Our favorite spot on the property is our six bedroom "Lodge." It has a huge
living room with a gigantic fieldstone fireplace and has become the new home of
my Dad's (Norm Smith) 10 point buck deer head which was rescued from 40
years confinement in my parents basement. He oversees the lodge in a majestic
and honorable way. We placed a huge antique 14' x 18 ' hand hooked rug under
a soft comfy sectional sofa which is placed right in front of the fireplace. We are
developing the bedrooms to represent all that NH living offers by using
snowshoes, fishing equipment, and ski novelties for decor. There are seven
double beds and one twin bed in our lodge which attracts multi-generational
families for any time of year! It makes an awesome gathering place for
anniversary or birthday parties. We have fun decorating this lodge for the
holidays!
What makes a stay at The Cottage Place unique?
We are unique because of our lakefront property which has one of the nicest
beaches on Squam Lake. There are very few commercial properties left to rent
on this pristine lake and we offer year-round access. We are a housekeeping
establishment which means that our guests are responsible for a minimal amount
of upkeep (trash removal and dishes) and there is no interruptive daily maid
service. With this concept we hope our guests feel more that they have their own
little "vacation home" and less like they are at a large commercial hotel. I
believe that this kind of cottage colony experience is getting very rare. Our
cottages offer just enough luxury to be comfortable, but a vacation here relies on
family togetherness whether it be board games, outdoor fun, song singing, or
activities involving the lake.
Please tell us about this area of New Hampshire.
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire (www.visitsquam.com) borders the
foothills of the White Mountains so this area is wealthy in gorgeous scenery and
interesting attractions for all ages. The restaurant selection is unlimited from
family to fine dining.
What are some 'can't miss' attractions?
Children and adults will be thrilled with the Squam Lakes Natural Science
Center just one mile from our doors. The day time excursions that are a must
include a trip to Clark's Trading Post, Lost River, and Whales Tale Water Park.
Of course, a tour of the 7000 acres of Squam Lake is highly recommended and
Lake Winnipausaukee is only nine miles away. There are some beautiful NH
State Parks like Wellington on Newfound Lake and Ellacoya on Lake
Winnipausaukee which will add great variety to your NH Lakes Region visit.
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