Diamond Island

In 1861 Diamond Island was home to The Diamond Island House, a hotel frequented by summer guests. The Mount Washington and the steamer Lady of the Lake docked at the island as part of their regular stops as a service to their lodgers. At one point it was rumored that the island supported a Brothel in which the patrons would arrive by train and take small boats to the island for the “illicit” entertainment. The hotel also hosted a restaurant and bowling alley and was later moved across the ice to the Weirs and became part of the Hotel Weirs which was destroyed by fire in 1924. During World War II the United States Navy operated a test sight for remote controlled submarines off the north western side of the island. Off the south side of the island remains a US Navy sound test laboratory and is a popular dive site. Today, Diamond Island is home to many summer residents in private cottages and homes. The islands convenient location to the mainland makes it a popular spot.

Bear Island

Bear Island is the second largest island on Lake Winnipesaukee and one of the most populated. In the late 1800’s, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Davis opened a boarding house for summer guests. In the early 1900’s it became known as The Bear Island House and was run as a hotel until 1934. The hotel burned to the ground in November of 1934 and the remains of the foundation can be seen to this day. Bear Island supports a post office and is home to the only island church known on the lake. Today the island remains as popular as ever and has over 8 miles of shoreline in the town of Meredith.

Three Mile Island

Three Mile Island has been owned and operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club since 1900. Home of the first permanent camp of the Appalachian Mountain Club, the island covers approximately 43 acres. Given its name because of its distance from Center Harbor, the club originally had a tent community for the summer campers. The club began to expand their facilities and built 50 cabins and a dining and recreation hall known as The Camp House. The Appalachian Mountain Club continues to maintain the island to this day.

Cow Island

Cow Island, or Guernsey Island as it was known in 1812, was first settled by Paul Pillsbury. The island was named for the first herd of Guernsey cattle that were brought to this country and allowed to graze on the island. Pillsbury operated a Grist Mill and farm on the island and is thought to also be the founder of Pillsbury Foods. Cow Island as it is known today has a vast history. The island lies completely within the town of Tuftonboro and the interior of the island is owned in part by the town and in part by a private association of waterfront property owners. Camp Idlewild operated a summer camp on the island from 1892 to the early 1970’s. Many of the camp buildings remain today but the majority of the waterfront properties are now private homes. As the demand grew for services on the island, small guest homes and even a restaurant opened on the island to serve visiting parents of the campers at Camp Idlewild. Mama Lucy’s, now Gus’s Lodge continues to operate a seasonal restaurant by reservation only. Today Cow Island is mostly private homes. The interior can be reached by hiking trails and the island supports abundant wildlife.

Rattlesnake Island

Rattlesnake Island is one of the largest islands on the lake with the highest elevation at 390 feet above the lake. The islands terrain on the east side is steep and rocky but manages to be surrounded by a sandy lake bottom. The interior of the island is ideal for hiking and offers spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The western shore has a mixed terrain and a more favorable approach. Rattlesnake Island was so named because as late as the 1940’s, Rattlesnakes were actually found on the island. Since then there has been no evidence of Rattlesnakes but other wildlife flourishes on the islands interior.

Stone Dam Island

One of Lake Winnipesaukee’s largest islands, the Island remained vastly undeveloped and in private hands until the early 1980’s. The majority of the island was then purchased by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust in 1982 with just a small portion of the island retained by the owners. Today the entire island is in the control of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and remains undeveloped with the exception of one home. The Island is open to the public and supports a network of hiking trails, old carriage roads and a beach area. Although there was once a stone causeway linking the island to the mainland, the only access today is by boat. For more information on the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and Stone Dam Island, you can contact them on the web at www.lrct.org.

Pine Island

Pine Island in the town of Meredith is one of the smaller islands on the lake. Legend has it that Mr. H.O. Whitney once raised frogs in the two small ponds on the island interior, which he then prepared for dinner guests as a delicacy.

Parker Island

Parker Island is located just off Wolfeboro Neck and is one of the smaller developed islands. Privately owned with two homes and a boathouse, the island is a landmark for boaters traveling up the broads.
 

Long Island

Long Island is the largest island on Lake Winnipesaukee. One of the 5 bridged islands on the lake the island covers more than one thousand acres. The islands popularity grew once connected to the mainland which caused tremendous development. The island grew to support 2 hotels, a post office and school house. The island was considered a wealthy area by local standards and in the late 1950’s it was not uncommon to see chauffer driven cars arrive at the area hotels. Lodgers could expect excellent food and nicely decorated rooms with lake views. Steamers and tour boats would arrive for tours of the lake. With a vast shoreline and ample acreage, much of the island was subdivided and the large farms disappeared. Today the island supports cottages, gracious homes, condos, residential homes and farms.

Becky’s Garden

The history and legend of Becky’s Garden has been past down for generations. One version tells of an old time family from Center Harbor with several daughters. Rebecca, the youngest and most beautiful, loved to garden and work in the yard with her father. Her father was always so impressed with Rebecca’s ability to grow beautiful flowers that one day after the farm’s cattle had destroyed Rebecca’s flower garden, her father offered her one of his many islands for her own. When her sisters were made aware of the gift to Rebecca, the others demanded the same for themselves. Their father consented but argued that Rebecca would have first choice. This caused her sisters to be so envious that Rebecca decided to choose the smallest island she could find and selected one that was not much more than a brush covered rock. Her sisters all thought she was crazy and choose much larger islands for themselves. When Rebecca got older her story of unselfishness spread far and wide. The news reached a wealthy young farmer and sought her acquaintance. He was so impressed with the young ladies beauty and kindness he asked her to marry him. Legend goes that they went on to live very full lives. Although Becky’s Garden remains one of the smallest islands on the lake, the legend is great. Each year a model home is placed on the island as a tribute to Rebecca and her unselfishness.

Little Bear Island

Modest in size to its neighbors, Cow and Long Island, Little Bear is protected from the Broads with long views to the east and west. One side of the island borders the “Hole-in-the-Wall” allowing direct access to the broads when traveling down through Moultonborough Bay. Little Bear is a popular Island with convenient mainland access from both Tuftonboro and Moultonborough.

Sandy Island

Sandy Island is owned and operated by the Greater Boston YMCA and hosts groups in their cabin and tent facilities.

Mark Island

One of the first developed Islands on Lake Winnipesaukee because of its close proximity to Weirs Beach, a popular tourist destination, Mark Island remained in the hands of only a few property owners holding large water front parcels. Mark Island today after further sub-division still maintains larger lots with older cottages and some newer homes.

Welch Island

Home of the Winnipesaukee Yacht Club, a popular destination for sailors and yachtsmen a like; Welch Island has beautiful views in all directions. Located close to the Glendale town docks, the island has easy access to the mainland.

Sleeper Island

Sleeper Island is most recognized for the Graystone Castle. Built by the Hale Estate on the western side of the island it remains a landmark. The island offers mixed terrain with convenient access to the mainland at Minge Cove and Small Cove marinas.

Timber Island

With only 3 privately owned waterfront lots, the majority of the island is in the hands of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and is protected from further development. Timber Island offers many safe anchorages and is a popular destination spot for boaters to drop anchor and swim or picnic.

Governors Island

One of the 5 bridged islands on Lake Winnipesaukee, Governors Island is in the town of Gilford and supports higher end properties.

Oak Island

Oak Island is one of the 5 bridged Islands on the lake and although one of the smallest, there are several homes on the island which belongs to the town of Meredith.

Black Cat Island

Black Cat Island is one of the 5 bridged Islands on the lake at the end of second point in Moultonborough. Part of the island lies in Meredith and because of its bridged access, the island is well developed. The islands location allows quick access to the largest areas of the lake known as the “Broads”.

Farm Island

Farm Island in Tuftonboro lies just off the mainland in nineteen mile bay. Approximately 23 acres of undeveloped land, the island is privately owned and supports a seasonal cottage with out buildings. One of the last undeveloped islands of its kind on the lake.

Chases Island

Chases Island is a popular island with close proximity to nineteen mile bay and the Tuftonboro town docks. One of the smaller islands on the lake, properties are afforded beautiful views to the west and north.

Steamboat Island

Steamboat Island was named for the steamer Belknap. The Belknap ran ashore in 1841 and was considered one of the first major disasters on Lake Winnipesaukee.

One Mile Island

Named for the islands location from Center Harbor, One Mile Island is known for the location the M.S. Mount Washington ran ashore in 1910. The “Mount” was repaired and returned to service later that year.