Lake Winnipesaukee island living offers a vacation

T

his past week and a half delivered nice, hot, humid weather to the Lakes Region. The beaches were full with lots of boating activities on Lake Winnipesaukee, and I thought I would turn my attention to the islands on the Big Lake.

What makes Winnipesaukee’s 72 square miles of immense beauty so interesting is the scope of its islands. How many islands are dotted on New Hampshire’s largest lake is a matter of debate. One source states there are 253; another says there are 274. The disparity is due to the uncertain criteria for differentiating an island from a large rock such as Becky’s Garden, which is about 10 feet wide.

There are six islands connected to the mainland by bridges. Those included Long Island, Governors Island, Black Cat Island, Oak Island, Worcester Island, and Christmas Island. The largest island is Long Island at 1,186 acres followed by Bear Island at 780 acres, Cow Island at 522 acres, Governors Island at 504 acres, Rattlesnake at 368 acres, Welch at 187 acres, Little Bear at 143 acres, Stonedam at 141 acres, Timber at 136 acres, Sleepers at 113 acres and Mark at 102 acres and many others. There are approximately 226 islands with less than 10 acres.

When you look at how these islands have transitioned from their early years and how their rich history has changed, it leaves us all to wonder. For example, Bear Island, so named by Native Americans and explorers who were shocked to come face-to-face with four ornery bears during a surveying expedition in early 1772, has transformed from its roots as an austere farming community to a seasonal vacation haven complete with a post office, summer camps, a church, and 192 seasonal homes. Some families have been on the island for multiple generations.

Cow Island likewise has a colorful history, having served as home to the first herd of Guernsey Cattle imported to America, as the site of a wind-powered Grist Mill, and as the home to Camp Idlewild, the longest continuously running private boys camp in the U.S., which operated from 1891 until 1975. The Guernsey Cows were brought out to the island in 1831, and at one time, there was a herd of 40 Guernseys. Even Bob Montana, who was the brainchild behind the Archie Comic Strips, spent the summer on the island putting together his comic strips. Today, there are approximately 133 seasonal residences on Cow Island.

According to Heidi Kephart of Roche Realty Group, Inc. and Treasurer of the Gilford Island Association, “there are 240 seasonal homes within the Gilford Islands comprising 19 unbridged islands. The best part of island living is that there are no cars. Once you step onto your boat and head to the island, the rest of the world goes away.”

It’s hard to say how many island residences have been constructed over the years. I know there are 66 homes on Welch, 30 on Lockes, 57 on Barndoor, 66 on Black Cat, 21 on Diamond, and one individual estimated there are 826 residences on 206 non-bridged islands.

Island living on Lake Winnipesaukee is a magical experience with cool breezes, gorgeous views, and a feeling of “getting away from it all.” Memories of shimmering red sunsets or brilliant sunrises and tranquility create a feeling of lasting lifetime memories for island dwellers. What resonates most… the sense of being on a mini-vacation, just far enough away to make even simple obligations fade from the back of our minds.

My personal interest in Lake Winnipesaukee island properties commenced in 1977, a year after I started in real estate. During that year, I listed the stone castle on Sleepers Island, which was built in the early 1900s. William Hale constructed the castle after having been to Europe and seeing castles along the Rhine. The craftsmen who built the castle were the same as those who built the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough. The property also had a barn that housed horses. I remember the barn was in pretty tough shape; however, the stone castle with its five fireplaces was a unique property. John Brady owned it at the time. I listed the property for $74,000 and put together a black and white marketing brochure with the heading "Who wants to be king?" Needless to say, it generated lots of interest, and my old steel craft boat shuttled many clients back and forth to view the property.

Over the years, I would sell many island properties, but one day John Goodhue took Nancy Clark and me over to Windswept Island in Tuftonboro. A close friend of his was thinking of selling the adorable wood shake cabin once owned by Bob Montana, who created and wrote the "Archie" comics. It was said that many of his comic strips were created in the one-room, whimsical cottage with a stone fireplace. I loved the tiny island with blueberry bushes surrounded entirely by crystal clear water, looking over the entire broads and Belknap Range with westerly breezes and blazing sunsets and sunrises.

That day put the bug in Nancy and my ears to locate an island property, and after scouting around for a month, we found a small camp on Welch Island, which has become a family treasure for 26 years. The constant cool breezes, lapping along the shore, and the gorgeous views are wonderful, but what resonates most…the sense of being on a mini-vacation, often just for a night, just far enough away to make even simple obligations fade from the back of our minds. All of the kids and grandkids have lasting memories of what it's like to live on an island…it’s an idyllic lakefront experience.

Living on an island does require some planning and logistics, and you only get the late summer to fall months of use, unlike mainland waterfront. You have to transport people and materials and haul your rubbish back to the mainland. Your boat replaces your car; however, the peace and tranquility you experience is beyond belief. Most island properties rely on lake water for showering and cooking, and drinking water is brought out to the island. The water clarity, views, and privacy with large undeveloped centers of the island providing an ideal environment for hiking and exploring are definite pluses. Many of the larger islands provide underwater electrical and telephone service, and several of the larger islands have common parking/boat launch areas on the mainland, as well as some of the towns like Gilford.

Here’s a comparison of island property sales on Lake Winnipesaukee during the past two years:

In 2023, there were 19 island waterfront sales with an average sales price of $958,883, median sales price of $699,000; nine median days on the market. The lowest sales price was $410,000 and the highest was $2.5 million. The total sales volume was $18.2 million.

In 2024, there were 19 island waterfront sales with an average sales price of $906,257, median sales price of $865,000 and 12 median days on the market. The lowest sales price was $387,000 and the highest was $1.5 million. The total sales volume was $17.2 million.

So far this year, there’s been four waterfront sales with an average sales price of $720,000, median sales price of $712,000 and 11 average days on the market. The lowest sales price was $525,000 and highest sales price was $980,000. The total sales volume has been $2.8 million. 

There’s currently seven waterfront properties for sale with an average price of $1.42 million, median price of $799,000 and 79 median days on the market. The lowest price is $695,000 and highest is $3.6 million. The total currently listed market is $9.9 million. 

•••

This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.