E X P L O R E

Home Sweet Home

by Q. DAVID BOWERS

elcome to the Lakes Region of New
Hampshire! Or, if you are a resident or a
seasoned visitor, then simply contemplate the
enjoyment you have experienced for a long time.
What is the Lakes Region of New
Hampshire? Actually, it admits of several
different interpretations. First of all there is the
so-called “Big Lake,” or Lake Winnipesaukee.
Measured by its extreme limits, it extends over
30 miles from Lee’s Mills in Moultonboro to
Alton Bay. 

By road around the shore it is close
to a 90-mile drive. Measuring all the inlets and
outlets the total footage is probably several
times that. The islands, too, have their own
waterfront and acreage. Tradition has it that
there are 365 islands, one for each day of the
year. In actuality, islands are a bit hard to define.
One of the smallest and most famous is Becky’s
Garden, located near Center Harbor, scarcely
more than just a rock. On the other hand,
Rattlesnake Island, Welch Island, Governor’s
Island (connected to the mainland by a bridge),
and several others are quite large. Guernsey
Island in Tuftonboro is more familiarly known
as Cow Island. Then we have Less In Area
Island, because, apparently, it is smaller than
some other island. Mud Island in Wolfeboro
is now known more harmoniously as Melody
Island. Then we have Big Barndoor and Little
Barndoor Islands, the name origins of which are
elusive. Some say that a patch of cleared land
appeared to be like a barn door, this in the late
18th century. Returning to Rattlesnake Island,
years ago these venomous creatures used to
sun themselves on the rocky ledges. However,
according to best authority, no such reptiles
have been there in recent generations. Still, the
name might be scary to some.
The origin of the Winnipesaukee name has
several theories. Such as “Smile of the Great
Spirit,” and “Water in a High Place.” Today, it is a
thriving center for recreational activity as well as
year round living. Ports around the lake, several
of which are connected by the M/S Mount Washington, include Wolfeboro, Alton Bay, The
Weirs, Moultonboro, Center Harbor, and Melvin
Village.
There are other bodies of water in the Lakes
Region, including Squam Lake, immortalized
over 2 decades ago with On Golden Pond,
starring Henry and Jane Fonda, and Katherine
Hepburn. Today, the “Golden Pond” name
has been attached to a number of different
commercial enterprises. Squam is perhaps one
of the more “private” lakes in the area with not
much in the way of public facilities on the main
lake itself, but a fine home to those who are
fortunate enough to reside along the shore. Lake
Winnisquam is another entry, with cottages and
recreational activities going nonstop in season.
Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro used to be
called Smith’s Pond, certainly not as appealing
as the name we know now. Governor John
Wentworth, who spent most of his time in his
home in Portsmouth during the late Colonial
era, came with his retinue to Smith’s Pond in
the summer, where he and staff lived in a fine
mansion surrounded by many outbuildings. As
this was a summer retreat, the term “The Oldest
Summer Resort in America” has been used
by Wolfeboro for a long time. The Wentworth
mansion is no more, and is survived by a cellar
hole on state park land. We are not quite sure
what the mansion looked like, as no original
representation survives.
Time was when the Lakes Region was
home to many manufacturing enterprises. In
Wolfeboro, shoes were the main industry, with
two large factories humming with activity. In
Laconia textiles were important as was heavy
industry, such as making railroad cars, together
with other manufacturing activities. Gilford,
Sandwich, and Ossipee were agricultural in
emphasis. Today in 2008, most of that has
changed. Manufacturing ranges from light to
almost nonexistent. Taking its place have been
retail stores and shops of many different kinds,
professional offices, technical firms, and service
industries. No longer does the Lakes Region
emphasize the summer. Now it is year-round,
with streets in many towns humming with
activity in all seasons. The Internet has been
the great equalizer. More than just a few highly
talented executives, professionals, and others
have made the Lakes Region their permanent
home, connected to offices elsewhere by
electronic means. It is easy to understand
why working in a room overlooking one of our
lakes, or verdant hills, can be more inspiring
and infinitely more pleasurable than, perhaps,
occupying a cubicle in a big city, fighting
traffic, and surrounded by activity that is largely
impersonal in nature. In contrast, most people
you meet in the Lakes Region will offer a warm
greeting. You are home when you come here.