Beauty of New Hampshire on Display at The Cottage Place on Squam Lake

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Mother-Daughter Team Revisit a Former Vacation
Spot...and Buy It.

Cottage Place on Squam Lake
877-968-7116
innkeepers:
Beverly Ann Smith
Susan Smith Palmer

The Cottage Place on Squam 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.


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".   I have three wonderful children of my own Baker (6)
Mackenzie (8) and Nathalie (11).  

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 multigenerational 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.

-- innkeeper Susan Smith
Palmer

Above, a watercolor
rendering of the original
postcard photo taken in
1966.