Happy 50th Birthday Robin Drown
A surprise 50th birthday party was
held for Robin Drown on Saturday, July 12 at the Masonic Hall in
Northwood. She and her husband were presented with an "all
inclusive" week's vacation to Hawaii, which they plan to take this
fall.
"Robin's Angels" collected donations from many
area businesses along with friends and family members to make this
possible. If anyone was overlooked who would like to contribute to
Robin's vacation, further donations are being accepted through TD
Bank North c/o Robin Drown Vacation Fund until the end of August.
A special thank you to: Northwood Fire Explorer
Post 710, Fitness Factor, Land Dimensions, Classic U, Johnson's
Dairy Bar, Hannaford, Wilder Flooring, The Portable Pantry, and
Chadbourn's Restaurant.
A Short History Of Northwood Lake
The following text is from the Northwood Lake
Diagnostic/Feasibility Study completed in October 1982 by the NH
Water Supply and Pollution Control Commission.
Northwood Lake is a long, narrow lake located in
southeastern New Hampshire. It lies primarily in the town of
Northwood, with lesser portions in Epsom and Deerfield. It is a
natural lake, raised by damming, having a surface area of 639.8
acres and a maximum depth of 25 ft. The lake is lowered in the
winter, at which time the western fifth of the lake (outlet end) is
reduced to a meandering stream.
Present day Northwood was originally the "north
woods" section of Nottingham. First settlers arrived in 1763. The
slowness of this westward movement was due to Indian problems. It
was not until the close of the French and Indian War that this
danger was lifted. The area contained headwaters but no sizeable
streams for transportation or easy water power. The area did have
good forest lands suitable for lumbering and an abundant supply of
game. Northwood was incorporated as a town in 1773. Lumbering and
grist mills were the main industries.
A turnpike (present day Rte. 4) was constructed
between Concord and the seacoast. Northwood became known for its
excellent inns and taverns. With the building of railroads the
turnpike lost its significance and Northwood looked for a new source
of income. Shoe manufacturing became the main source of income until
1900.
During all this time of Northwood's development,
the lake was used primarily for fishing. Most people did not have
time for recreational pursuits. As the household car became
available in the 1920's, the turnpike was paved, and Northwood Lake
became a prime attraction for summer residents.
Berry's Grove, along Lake Shore Drive, was
developed around 1900, providing refreshments, picnic areas, and
rental boats. An early dance hall, the Suncook Pond Pavillion, was
built out over the swampy area near the present day town beach. It
was replaced by the Roseland in 1924, which became the center of the
area's summer life until after World War II. A coal-fired steamboat
operated on Suncook Pond (the original name of Northwood Lake) about
this time, carrying a dozen or more passengers.
In 1926 the Suncook Mills constructed the present
day dam to store water, to be released during the dry season for
powering the mills in Suncook. The New Hampshire Water Resources
board purchased the dam in 1957 for $1.00. Because of the confusion
with Suncook Pond in Barnstead, in 1929 the NH Legislature changed
the name to Northwood Lake.
Prior to 1900 there were very few homes around
the lake. The first major growths occurred during the 1920's and
1930's, primarily along Lake Shore Drive and Tasker Shore
Developments. Development continued through the 40's, 50's, and
60's, with the last major developments occurring in the Pine Point,
Gulch Mountain, and Sleepy Hollow areas. At the present time, first
tier development has encompassed most of the shoreline of Northwood
Lake, except for the eastern end owned by the Boy Scouts.
In 1992 the Northwood Lake Watershed Association
was formed to preserve and protect the lake waters. We are proud to
be part of Northwood Lake's history. Come visit us at
www.northwoodlake.com
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