Bear Island

[Alton Mumma]

Can someone help refresh my memory? My family used to vacation on Bear Island every summer. I was there every summer from 1973 to about 1982. I was very young, and have fuzzy memories about the place. The most vivid memory is pawing through old records in the cottage and dancing around to "Chaquita Banana" wearing silly hats. Hey, I said I was young!

A fuzzier memory is going somewhere on the island with my sister and treasure hunting. I remember finding little glass bottles and glasses frames etc. Was there a hotel on the island that burned down?

I'll see if I can dig up and scan some pics of us at the cottage. :)

Any info about the history of the island would be greatly appreciated! Thanks much!

[Island Life]

It could be that you'd found a place the old timers had used as a dump. Rather than haul their trash to shore, they'd dump everything in one place (or several). And many, many years later, all we find are the glass and metal objects. I imagine it took place on every island. I even have one on my property here at home.

[jkjoshuatree]

My family's had a place on Bear since 1973.

The spot you're thinking of is the foundation to the "old hotel". Its kind of in the middle of the northern half of the island, about a half mile from the mail dock on west Bear.

There used to be old bottles, a bed frame, and other "treasures" there. The pump house for the hotel was actually on our land but we had to destroy it because it was in pretty rough shape and dangerous to the little ones in our family.

And out in front of our cottage there is an old sink and another bed frame that we can only assume came from the hotel. It's in about thirty feet of water but pretty cool to snorkle to.

Hope this answers your question. Let me know if you have any other questions. There's also a great book about Bear Island call "Bear Island Reflections". If you pick it up, make sure you get the second edition. It's updated and has more info.

JK

[Bear Guy]

Yes, there was an island hotel that burned in 1934 (see blurb below). If you were vacationing on the "northern half" of Bear, this quite likely could have been your treasure hunting location.
I am a resident of the island's southern half, and am aware of several ancient dumping areas there - one of which includes an old cast iron stove - and some abandoned pieces of farm equipment.

"In the early 1900’s, the island's summer boarding house 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 Islander]

Do you have a memory of meeting the Mail Boat to buy ice cream? That is what many remember about the island.

The hotel was at the center of the northern half of the island. There is still a cellar hole and various metal and glass around. There is information on the island at www.bearisland.org we also sell a book on the islands history called "Bear Island Reflections". If you can post a picture I can probably tell you the house number.

[JerseyGirl]

You were probably definitely at the hotel remains. We have visited it often as it is on our walking bath to the mail dock. Mostly everything is very overgrown now, but back then there was more lying around. The story about the hotel is fasinating. Go onto www.bearisland.org for info to buy the book "Reflections of Bear Island". The history is astounding. It is on the bookshelf of the home we visit and I read it every year. You may have also visited the fresh water spring (dried up now because of development). That was our only source of drinking water for a long time. The kids were given the task of fetching it - it became an adventure. (plus us adults had some quiet time!)

[Alton Mumma]

Thanks so much, my memory is beginning to come out of it's fog.

Bear Islander, I LOVED our trips to the mail boat. I remember my father falling into the lake during on of those trips. :laugh: But my most vivid memory was just sit on the big rock that was right next to the dock, letting the water splash up over my legs. It's strange the things you remember. :confused:

I'm still searching for a picture. I might have to take a trip to my mother's house.

[Weirs guy]

We took a cruise on the Sophie last summer and my kids were blown away that kids on the islands got to climb the moorings and jump off when the Sophie comes around. Now if we're swimming when one of the girls goes by my kids have to stand on my shoulders and repeat the act. :laugh:

[jkjoshuatree]

In the spring issue of "Heart of New Hampshire", I had an article published about the Sophie (with the emphasis on the Bear Island mail dock).

Of course I'm biased because I'm in it, but it really is a great magazine.

Check it out if you have the chance. The book store in Mill Falls carries it.

[salukigirl]

Yes, there was a hotel on the island. My great great great great great uncle Solomon Lovejoy and his wife Lizzie Wiggin Lovejoy owned that hotel until the early 1900's when they sold it. I think it burned down in 1934.

If anyone has any pictures of the old hotel circa the 1900's I would love a copy!

[Alton Mumma]

I finally remembered to get some pictures out of my mother's house.

Here's the cottage, this picture was probably taken sometime in the early 70's, the pic has faded quite a bit, IRL the cottage was a lot more green. It looks a little brown here...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/MummaFlamingo/scan0001.jpg

Here I am on my favorite rock :D
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/MummaFlamingo/scan0002.jpg

And this was my all time favorite place, I think I was about 2 years old here.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/MummaFlamingo/scan0003.jpg

I found another cute one of my very first summer there, I was only 5 months old!

[AC2717]

I finally remembered to get some pictures out of my mother's house.

Here's the cottage, this picture was probably taken sometime in the early 70's, the pic has faded quite a bit, IRL the cottage was a lot more green. It looks a little brown here...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/MummaFlamingo/scan0001.jpg

Here I am on my favorite rock :D
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/MummaFlamingo/scan0002.jpg

And this was my all time favorite place, I think I was about 2 years old here.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/MummaFlamingo/scan0003.jpg

I found another cute one of my very first summer there, I was only 5 months old!


Pictures did not come through can you repost, thank you axious to see them

[Bear Islander]

This is what the place looks like now. It's a great place with a large lot.