Honoring the Past, Serving the Present
Before sharing the history of 71 Main Street, we want to acknowledge and thank the Sunapee Historical Society. Much of the information below comes from their archives and from Sunapee’s Historic Buildings and Places, Volume One by Barbara Chalmers, whose meticulous work preserves the stories of this harbor we love. Many of the historic photos you’ll see on this page were generously shared by the Sunapee Historical Society.
A Timeline of 71 Main Street: Over a Century on the Harbor
1901 — The Temperance Café
Our story begins with Lucy Knowlton, the original owner of the land on which this beloved building stands. In 1901, Perley Graves approached Mrs. Knowlton with the idea of renting her land to build a small café. For $20 a year, she agreed.
Graves and his brother-in-law, Hiram G. Stockwell, built the Temperance Café, a charming red-and-white lakeside restaurant complete with a porch overlooking Sunapee Harbor. The café quickly became a local favorite.
By 1905, business was thriving. Graves signed a new five-year lease and expanded the back of the building—on one condition: Mrs. Knowlton insisted the addition be low enough not to block her lake view. This is why the back of the building still sits lower than the front today. Bay windows were added in 1908, giving the building its iconic welcoming face.
The Temperance Café 1904
Sunapee Historical Society Collection
1912-1938: New Owners, New Additions
In 1912, Graves sold the property to Mott L. Bartlett, who continued renting the land. In 1920, ownership passed to Ethel and Warren Morgan, already well-known harbor business owners. The Morgans operated the Burkehaven Store, Post Office, steamboat ticket office, and Morgan’s Boat Livery.
They expanded the restaurant again, enclosing the porch in 1938 to create more dining space while keeping the building’s quaint charm.
Mott Bartlett Ownership
Sunapee Historical Society Collection
Mott Bartlett Ownership
Sunapee Historical Society Collection
Morgan Ownership
Sunapee Historical Society Collection
1951 - The Anchorage is Born
Ethel and Warren Morgan sold the building in 1951 to Wesley Hillbourne and Raymond F. Bohman of Massachusetts. They renamed the business The Anchorage and transformed the interior with:
- A 16-stool soda fountain
- Glass cases of sundries and candies
- New dining booths along the enclosed porch
- A landscape mural
- A game room in the rear wing
The Anchorage quickly became a hub for families, visitors, and summer memories.
Morgan Ownership
Sunapee Historical Society Collection
The Anchorage 1950s
Sunapee Historical Society Collection
1950s - 1990s - Generations of Change
From 1958 onward, The Anchorage changed hands several times—passing through owners including Albert and Hazel Barwise, Robert Houle, John Segalini, Walter Graf, Guy Lavigne, and Osborne Garage & Marine Inc. Each steward left their mark while preserving the place’s role as a community gathering point.
One of the most iconic stories from this era unfolded in 1966, when Joe Perry—then a teenage summer dishwasher—met Steven Tallarico at The Anchorage. Legend says Steven loved the fries so much he had to meet the cook behind them. Their friendship grew, and soon the world knew them as Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Rock and roll, it seems, found its spark right here in Sunapee Harbor.
By the early 1990s, much of the harbor’s commercial property, including The Anchorage, fell into foreclosure. Concerned about the future of the waterfront, four local visionaries—Richard Webb, Jolyon Johnson, Paul Grevstad, and John Rauh—formed Sunapee Harbor Riverway, Inc. Their work ensured that the harbor remained open, accessible, and cared for. The Anchorage building has remained under the Riverway’s ownership ever since.
In 2019, a significant renovation effort was underway to modernize the building for year-round operation. A fire broke out inside during construction, delaying progress but not dampening the community’s determination. By 2020, the doors reopened once again.
2024 - Present - A New Chapter: The Blue Canoe
In November 2024, local business owner Richard Stockwell signed the lease to begin a new chapter for 71 Main Street. A major renovation followed, thoughtfully updating the building while honoring its history.
Improvements included:
- Replaced and leveled flooring (with the beautiful imperfections of age preserved)
- A second bar added to the front dining area
- A complete kitchen rebuild with modern equipment
- Fully renovated bathrooms
- A fresh coat of paint throughout
- A renewed commitment to welcoming guests year-round
- And, finally, a new name: The Blue Canoe.
The inspiration behind the name comes from Rich and his wife Marcy’s favorite painting: “The Blue Boat” (1892) by Winslow Homer. A print of this artwork now greets every guest as they enter, setting the tone for a space built on creativity, history, and the beauty of lake life.
After months of hard work, The Blue Canoe officially opened for dinner service on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Our Community, Our Heart
From our grand opening weekend, the harbor community showed up in incredible numbers, locals, seasonal visitors, and neighboring businesses alike. The outpouring of enthusiasm, support, and constructive encouragement made it clear that this historic building still holds a special place in Sunapee’s story.
We are proud to be open year-round, serving familiar faces and new friends every season. This building has seen generations pass through its doors, and we feel deeply honored to be the next chapter in its long, storied legacy.
Cheers to the past, present, and future of 71 Main Street.
Cheers to Sunapee Harbor.
And cheers to you for being part of our story.
