The History of the Town & Country Motor Inn
In 1956 Ralph "Navy" Labnon purchased the Androscoggin Valley Country Club House from the Brown Company.
This property had formerly been known as the Hitchcock Farm. The clubhouse for the golf course at that
time consisted of seven rooms, three baths and six dining tables. In December of 1956, this small facility would
begin operations under the name of the Country Club Inn with eleven hotel rooms, only one of which had a
private bath, and an expanded dining room as well as a minuscule lounge. As the law at that time stated a
hotel needed twelve rooms in order to be granted a liquor license, one room was added to meet the state
requirements. Several years later the name was changed to The Country Inn and finally became incorporated as
the Town & Country Motor Inn. Today the Inn boasts 160 rooms, a dining room seating 180 guests, four
banquet rooms that can accommodate over 500 people, a lounge featuring live entertainment several nights
a weeks, an indoor heated pool and full health club facility.
Now let's take a step back in time. In 1964 a building separate from the main house was erected
providing 24 additional rooms. In 1968 an addition to the main building introduced two function rooms,
the Shelburne Room as well as the Lamplight Room, each seating approximately 200 people. At the same time
construction of yet another 24 unit motel was completed.
A major event in the history of the business was the devastating fire that occurred on December 30, 1973.
The main building housing the kitchen, dining room, banquet rooms, lounge, and twelve motel units was
totally destroyed. The family faces the New Year with a tremendous loss, but with firm determination to
rebuild the Inn. Within thirty days all the debris had been removed and construction of the new building
was underway. Late in June the major rebuilding project was complete and the Town & Country reopened.
Expansions continued and in 1977 a 16-unit motel was built offering deluxe rooms and suites. In 1979, 24
rooms and an indoor heated pool were added to the property. TO appeal the new health-conscious guests a
full health club was completed in 1988. The hotel was now taking shape as the well known Town & Country
Motor Inn. The final phase of construction provided 72 more units.
The hotel has had many famous guests who have all enjoyed the hospitality known as "TLC", Tender
Labnon Care. Political guests have included President & Mrs. Ronald Reagan, President & Mrs. Richard
Nixon, Senator Robert Dole, Mrs. Elizabeth Dole, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., Pierre Salinger and
Senator Ted Kennedy, to name a few. Each political campaign brings a new wave of politicians seeking the
support of New Hampshire voters. This list of presidential hopefuls includes every president since
Richard Nixon. Amon the many other celebrities who have enjoyed the fine amenities offered at the Town
& Country are Kurt Russell, Derek Sanderson, Bobby Orr, Leonard Nimoy, Melvin Belli, and Julia Child.
Whether your visit is for golfing, hiking, skiing, sightseeing in the White Mountains or merely
relaxing, you will be treated with great hospitality by the Labnon family and the superb staff
of the Town & Country Motor Inn.
The Original Town & Country Circa 1956
|
