The History of Bear Island: Including Other Islands and Lake Topics

This book is a detailed study of the history of settlement on Bear Island, Lake Winnipesaukee. Drawing upon meticulous original research, the book traces how the founding of the New Hampshire colony in 1623 and the establishment of Meredith in the 1760s ultimately created the environment in which the first farmers settled on Bear Island in the early 1800s. It then delves in great detail into the ownership changes that took place on the island, traversing four periods: the era of year-round farmers; the 19th century summer tourism era; the early summer vacation era; and finally the rapid expansion of the vacation era after WWII. This history is enriched throughout with vignettes about people and events that impacted the entire Lakes Region and well beyond. These include such topics as the sheep craze, the Lakeport dam, the railroad, the steamboat, and the Methodists among numerous side stories. The book closes with vignettes on the early, largely untold history of more than 30 other islands.