Northwood Lake in Northwood, Epsom and Deerfield New Hampshire
Life on Northwood Lake--or any of the 9 lakes in Northwood. Life is Good here.
Facing the beautiful sunsets on Northwood Lake
Northwood Lake is a 653 acre full-activity lake in Northwood and Epsom NH, with public boat launch, town beach, and one of the very few lakes in New Hampshire with a full service marina, dock company and boat storage. On the Eastern most part of the lake is a protected loon nesting grounds to complete the “On Golden Pond” experience. The lake feeds both Pleasant Lake in Lakes home on the Lake Deerfield and eventually the Merrimack River. There is also a very strong Lake Association to the benefit of all property owners and to help preserve the natural surroundings. It is a warmwater fish lake, with observed species including smallmouth and largemouth bass, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, and white perch. History of Northwood Lake Northwood was known as the “North Woods” of Nottingham. The lake was originally named Suncook Pon and renamed Northwood Lake in 1929 ,by the New Hampshire legislature officially changed the name to clear up any confusion with the Suncook Ponds in Barnstead. Solomon Bickford, the first settler in the Narrows section of Northwood near the Lake arrived in 1763. Samuel Johnson who built a gristmill along Narrows Brook soon followed him. In a short time other settlers came, and small mills were built along outlet streams from Jenness, Long, and Harvey Ponds, as well as other areas. Northwood was incorporate in 1773 and attained a population of 313 by 1775. In addition to the mills, lumbering was the main industry at this time. In 1796, a turnpike was constructed between the present cap©2013 Michael Travis www.WaterfrontAgent.com
ital city of Concord and the coastal towns of Portsmouth, Dover, and Exeter. Northwood became known for its excellent inns and taverns that sprang up to support the increased travel along this main east-west thoroughfare. Later to be known as “Antique Alley for its many antique shops off of Route 4. By 1890 the population turned increasing to agricultural pursuits as most of the Residents of the Lake good lumber had been harvested. Prized meadowland for hay was located at the outlet end of the Lake, although it later disappeared when the dam was built and the pond enlarged. The lake was used primarily for fishing. All this changed in the early 1900’s as industrial developments allowed people more leisure time. As the “horseless carriages” became available in the 1920’s and the turnpike became a paved Route 4, the lakes of Northwood became prime summer residents. Berry’s Grove, along Lake Shore Drive, was developed around 1900, providing refreshments, picnic areas, and rental boats. An early dance hall, the Suncook Pond Pavilion, was built out over the swampy area near the present day town beach. It was never very sturdy and was replaced by the Roseland in 1924, which became the center of the area’s summer life until after World War II. A coal-fired steamboat operated on the lake about this time, carrying a dozen or more passenger at a time. In 1926, the Suncook Mills constructed the present day dam. The mill owned the water rights and the lake was used for the upstream storage of water, to be released during the dry season to power the mills in Suncook. The New Hampshire Water Resources Board purchased the dam from the Suncook Manufacturing Company in 1957 for Northwood Lake Life $1.00. They currently operate and maintain the dam, lowering Northwood Lake the water level 5 feet from mid• Northwood Lake is 653 ac. November to mid-March. • 3 miles long . Life on Northwood Lake is • Car Races on the Ice in winter • Loon nesting grounds always rich with fond memories • Public Boat Launch for generations to enjoy. • Full service marina on lake * Full boating activity on lake