|
|
Native Americans & Island History |
 |
| ...5,000
years ago |
|
|
| Lake
Winnipesaukee and her islands provide us with much interesting history. |
|
| The
islands were used by Native American Indians for perhaps five thousand years.
The Indians in this area were called the Pennacooks. Many of our words come
from the Indians. For instance, Winnipesaukee means "beautiful water in high
place". Don't be surprised if you find an arrowhead or artifact on the shore of
your island. |
|
|
| An
Indian probably stood in this very spot. |
|
|
|
| Later
in history, there were hotels on both Diamond and Bear Islands. On Cow Island,
a gentleman by the name of Pillsbury operated a grist mill and supplied flour
to local people. |
|
| One
expression about Lake Winnipesaukee is that there is an island for every day of
the year. Realistically, there are about 270 big enough to be called islands.
The largest is Bear Island with 750 acres and the tiniest is Becky's Garden, a
cluster of boulders in Center Harbor. |
|
|
| Birch
bark canoes were decorated with the makers distinct markings |
|
|
|
| Many
centers of the islands are owned by the individual island associations and are
restricted from being built upon. Usually, the centers are saved for exploring,
hiking, and nature walks. |
|
 The
shorelines are primarily rocky with wild blueberry bushes galore and scattered
natural beaches. The interiors are generally treed with hardwood and
evergreens, on which deer graze. |
|
| Two
islands, Stonedam and Ragged, are owned by conservation trusts and are
available for nature walks and hikes. |
|
| There
are also two sanctuaries for loons, the Melvin Island and the Ragged Island
Loon Sanctuary. |
|