The town of Alton has 19 miles of shoreline on the southeast corner of Lake Winnipesaukee. Alton Bay was an extremely popular rail destination as passengers could take the train and transfer to a number of steamboats to points on the lake. The first rail lines were installed in 1847 and the transportation center opened in 1851. It was active until 1935.
This is still a very popular port of call as it is an embarkation point for the MS Mount Washington.