Information on the Lakes Region of NH

The Lakes Region

P r e s e n t e d b y M i c h a e l Tr a v i s • w w w. W a t e r f r o n t A g e n t . c o m • 6 0 3 - 3 0 3 - 2 5 9 9

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Panorama of Lake Winnipesaukee from summit of Mount Major.

backdrop for the movie “On Golden Pond” screenplay written by New Hampshire native Ernest Thompson staring Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn. Other movies included “What about Bob”with Bill Murray, ’Click” with Adam Sandler and referenced to it in Three Stooges 1940 short "No Census, No Feeling",

Rattlesnake Island in the Broads f Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire at over 44,000 acres and 200 feet deep surrounded by mountain vistas and the best that Mother Nature can provide. It encompasses the towns of Alton, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro. Each town has its own amenities and personality, all connected by the natural Luxury Estate on the Big Lake splendor of “The Big Lake”.

On the over 180 miles of shoreline, you will find some of the most valuable waterfront homes in the State, though by comparison to properties in surrounding states, the value is clear. The lake is a boating, fishing, scuba diving and water enthusiasts paradise. From late May to October, the MS Mount Washington, dating back to 1872 and today carries over 60,000 passengers a season with daily excursions and dinner cruises.

In winter you will find some of the most unique “Bob Houses” dotting the icescape. Snowmobile trails criss cross the lake all the way to the Canadian border. You are in the heart of the best skiing in all of New England. Alton Bay has the the country's only FAA designated iceport on the frozen ice on Alton Bay. Winnipesaukee and the surrounding lakes make up what is known as the Lakes Region. The area was the inspiration and

MS Mount Washington c 1872 and today. ©2013, Michael Travis, Prudential Spencer-Hughes Real Estate

Lake Winnipesaukee History.

It is an unusual glacial Lake that reversed flow from going toward the ocean to the direction of the Merrimack River. Early explorers came to Laconia in the 1600s hoping the rivers would lead to Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes. Native Americans name Alton Bay Iceport Winnipesaukee means either "Smile of the Great Spirit" or "Beautiful Water in a High Place." At the outlet of the Winnipesaukee River, the Winnipesaukee Indians, a subtribe of the Pennacook, lived and fished at a village called Acquadocton. Today, the site is called The Weirs, Lake Winnipesaukee Firsts.

• Center Harbor witnessed the first intercollegiate sporting event in the US when Harvard defeated Yale in the first Harvard-Yale Regatta on August 3, 1852.

• The M/V Sophie C, is the oldest, and one of only two currently operating floating United States Postal Service floating post offices since 1892.

• Alton Bay has the country's Wolfeboro Bay boating only FAA designated iceport on the frozen ice on Alton Bay. Lake Winnipesaukee • “Ice Out” contest is an annual • Lake Winnipesaukee is the event where people guess the largest lake in NH, 44,000 ac. date that the Mount Washing• Third largest in New England. ton can reach all of its ports, • 21 miles long and ranges from 1 to 9 miles wide.

There are records since 1851 • 72 square miles.

• French President Sarkozy • Maximum depth of 212 feet. spent his first US vacation in • 182 miles of shoreland.

Wolfeboro.

• 63 miles to drive around lake.

• Wolfeboro is Americas Oldest • There are at least 253 islands.

Summer Resort.

Wolfeboro, NH - “The Oldest Summer Resort in America”

Downtown Wolfeboro / Wolfeboro Bay

For over 250 years, Wolfeboro has been the destination of choice for dignitaries, celebrity, heads of State, heads of business, heads of households and families that can Antique Boats and Great Estates appreciate the fresh New Hampshire air, surrounded by the most beautiful lake and mountains. No wonder French President Sarkozy chose Wolfeboro for his historic visit to the US. Wolfeboro is a place of picturesque shops and historic buildings, free concerts at the town Concerts in the Park bandstand at waters edge. It is a place where you can have antique boat rides to cruises on the MS Mount Washington, A place where you can see original plays in the theatre to concerts at the performing arts center. It is a place with one of the longest Forth of July Parades with antique cars, World War ll vehicles and even Presidential Candidates participate. You have your choice of classic diner fare to exquisite restaurants, quaint B&Bs, the historic Wolfeboro Inn, rustic cabin rentals to multi million dollar homes for rent.

From the town docks and ramps, you have access to all of Lake Winnipesaukee at your disposal. There are also four public beaches and so much more.

With a base population of just over 6000 that jumps to 35,000 in the heart of summer, you have small town charm yet big town services including Huggins Hospital as well as everything you need and some things you won’t find anywhere. It has its own ski hill and ice rink. It is home to ©2013, Michael Travis, Prudential Spencer-Hughes Real Estate

Brewster Academy which attracts students from around the world.

Wolfeboro is under two hours from Boston, an hour to the seacoast and the White Mountains, making it the perfect destination year round. In spring and fall, the weather is ideal for golf, hiking, biking, fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and birding. Winter in Wolfeboro provides access to hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails and more than 18 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails.

Wolfeboro History Wolfeboro, settled in 1768, was granted by Governor John Wentworth and named for General Wolfe, a hero of the Battle of Quebec. Colonial Governor John Wentworth, his nephew, established Kingswood, an estate on Lake Wentworth, making it the “Oldest Summer Resort in America”. With the end of the Civil War and the building of the Wolfeboro Railroad in 1872, tourism began to come to this charming town. The historic Depot building still remains The tracks now serves as an 11 mile walking and bike path past Crescent Lake and Lake Wentworth, ending in the town of Wakefield.

Depot Square c 1880s

Wolfeboro, NH

• Wolfeboro contains 47.9 square miles of land area and 10.6 sq. miles of inland water area.

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Winnipesaukee Belle a MS Mount Washington Huggins Hospital Wentworth State Park Clark House (1778) Libby Museum Monitor Engine Company Firehouse New Hampshire Boat Museum Wright Museum-WWII History Brewster Academy Abenaki Ski Area Pop Whalen Ice Arena Klickety-Klack Railroad