Castle in the Clouds

Route 171, Moultonboro, New Hampshire

"In the heart of New Hampshire, on the southern slope of the Ossipee Mountains, lies Lucknow, a magnificent estate of 6,300 acres, extending from the summit of the mountains to the north shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, and bordering the Lake for a mile and a half. The estate is composed of hundreds of acres of meadow and pasture land, but the greater part of the entire property is woodland. Through these and over the mountains, through the lowlands and along the Lake, run more than thirty miles of private driving roads and bridal paths.

"Midway between the Lake, one of the most beautiful in the country, and the crest of the mountains, on a hilltop 750 feet above Lake Winnipesaukee, is located the house, commanding on all sides views of incomparable beauty, majesty, and inspiration. The natural setting of the house with it's background of lofty mountains; the immediate environment of rolling plateaus, shaded valleys, streams, and falls running through rocky gorges; the mile upon mile of wooded drives and bridal paths, and finally the far-flung vistas across a most beautiful lake off into the distance - provides a general assembling of natural beauty acknowledged by worldwide travelers to be without equal."

The preceding was wealthy industrialist Thomas Plant's description of his magnificent estate, built at Lake Winnipesaukee after searching North America and Europe for the perfect location.

Construction began in 1913 and took one thousand workers three years to complete. The stone exterior is made from Granite blasted from the surrounding mountains. The stones were hand carved by Italian stone masons who, on a good day, could cut and lay in place three stones. Plant ordered that the stones be shaped primarily as pentagons, symbolizing the five great powers of the world. The lumber for the exterior and interior woodwork was cut from the property and hand hewn in the shipyards of Bath, Maine before being shipped back to the site by railroad, boat and horse.

The 26 pictures that appear here were taken on a perfect day in August of 1997. Although they provide a sample of a visit to Castle in the Clouds the house and property can only be fully appreciated by visiting the estate in person.

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Entrance Road
Grounds and Stable
House Interior
House Interior - Page 2
House Exterior and Grounds
House Exterior and Grounds - Page 2

This article is presented by www.winnipesaukee.com as a service to visitors to The Lake Winnipesaukee Home Page which is not associated with Castle in the Clouds. Please call them at 1-603-476-5900 or visit www.castleintheclouds.org for more information on tours of the estate, the Castle Cafe or events at the Castle.

For more on the Lucknow Estate click here