The Story of Lake Contoocook
Our lake, known under such various names as Long Pond, Lake Sunshine and Lake Madakawondo, was created initially by the formation of a beaver dam and later the construction of the Red Dam in Jaffrey, N.H., in about 1860. It became known as a recreational lake about 1872.
Lake Contoocook, located partially in Rindge and partially in Jaffrey, extends 2.8 miles long and half a mile wide and covers 344 acres. It first gained recognition as a popular hunting and fishing destination in the 19th century. A small shelter was first built on an island in the Rindge section.
After the railroad in Winchendon was completed in 1875, many people arrived and were transported around the lake by a steamer that carried fifteen to twenty people and their luggage all for twenty cents per person. It dropped people off at their destinations, among which were three cottages in Jowders Cove, believed to have been the first built on the lake.
During this time, a group of spiritualists bought eighty acres of land in the Woodmere section on the west side of the lake. They built an ornate tabernacle which seated five hundred people. People met at the tabernacle until 1885. Another thirty-five acres, mostly waterfront lots, were purchased by Hiram Clark in the Woodmere section of the lake.
The well-known Woodbound Inn got its start as the Lakeview Inn, run by the Jowders family for summer boarders beginning in 1892. Later renamed the Contoocook Inn, it housed railroad personnel as well as summer visitors.
Around 1940, the Sunshine Dance Pavilion was built near what had been the spiritualist tabernacle in the Woodmere section of the lake off Woodbound Road. It ran successfully until the roof collapsed under snowfall in the 1960s.
From 1934 until the beginning of World War II, the Inn, which changed its name from Contoocook Inn to Woodbound Inn under the Brummer ownership, remained a center for lodging and eating, and also hosted a summer theater featuring popular New York actors.
The lake was also known for its winter activities. These included winter carnivals, horse racing, swimming by the Boston Brownies, loggers running on loose logs in the water, skating races, and also meetings of Sled Dog Racing Association. The area on the northeast side of the lake was known as the Race Track and later in the 1960s and ‘70s was used as a tennis tournament location for many summer lake residents
CLAPA, Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association, was formed in 1969 with its mission being the preservation of the lake and surrounding properties.
This is only a brief summary of the early history of our lake. We welcome any personal stories which would be of interest regarding other sections off the lake or interesting events which have occurred here! It has been an integral part of my life for over 60 years!
Jeannie (Pigeon) Stokinger
Resident since 1956
Our lake, known under such various names as Long Pond, Lake Sunshine and Lake Madakawondo, was created initially by the formation of a beaver dam and later the construction of the Red Dam in Jaffrey, N.H., in about 1860. It became known as a recreational lake about 1872.
Lake Contoocook, located partially in Rindge and partially in Jaffrey, extends 2.8 miles long and half a mile wide and covers 344 acres. It first gained recognition as a popular hunting and fishing destination in the 19th century. A small shelter was first built on an island in the Rindge section.
After the railroad in Winchendon was completed in 1875, many people arrived and were transported around the lake by a steamer that carried fifteen to twenty people and their luggage all for twenty cents per person. It dropped people off at their destinations, among which were three cottages in Jowders Cove, believed to have been the first built on the lake.
During this time, a group of spiritualists bought eighty acres of land in the Woodmere section on the west side of the lake. They built an ornate tabernacle which seated five hundred people. People met at the tabernacle until 1885. Another thirty-five acres, mostly waterfront lots, were purchased by Hiram Clark in the Woodmere section of the lake.
The well-known Woodbound Inn got its start as the Lakeview Inn, run by the Jowders family for summer boarders beginning in 1892. Later renamed the Contoocook Inn, it housed railroad personnel as well as summer visitors.
Around 1940, the Sunshine Dance Pavilion was built near what had been the spiritualist tabernacle in the Woodmere section of the lake off Woodbound Road. It ran successfully until the roof collapsed under snowfall in the 1960s.
From 1934 until the beginning of World War II, the Inn, which changed its name from Contoocook Inn to Woodbound Inn under the Brummer ownership, remained a center for lodging and eating, and also hosted a summer theater featuring popular New York actors.
The lake was also known for its winter activities. These included winter carnivals, horse racing, swimming by the Boston Brownies, loggers running on loose logs in the water, skating races, and also meetings of Sled Dog Racing Association. The area on the northeast side of the lake was known as the Race Track and later in the 1960s and ‘70s was used as a tennis tournament location for many summer lake residents
CLAPA, Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association, was formed in 1969 with its mission being the preservation of the lake and surrounding properties.
This is only a brief summary of the early history of our lake. We welcome any personal stories which would be of interest regarding other sections off the lake or interesting events which have occurred here! It has been an integral part of my life for over 60 years!
Jeannie (Pigeon) Stokinger
Resident since 1956
We are very grateful to Sandra Stewart, a long-time resident of Jaffrey, who contributed the postcards which are used in this slideshow. Enjoy!