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1956 Map of Winnipesaukee

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Winnipesaukee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Lake Winnipesaukee dominates this mid-century survey, revealing the intricate shoreline and island geography of New Hampshire's Lakes Region during the 1950s. The map details a landscape transitioning from rural farming and timber heritage into a premier summer destination, centered around the industrial and transport hub of Laconia and the growing resort village of Weirs Beach. Navigation and leisure take center stage, with the Mt Washington Boat Route weaving through major islands like Bear Island, Long Island, and Rattlesnake Island.

Away from the water, the topography rises sharply toward the Ossipee Mountains and the Belknap Mountains, where the Belknap State Reservation and Gunstock Mtn reflect the region's developing recreational economy. Small settlements like Melvin Village, Center Tuftonboro, and Gilford are documented with local landmarks, including the St Johns Ch and numerous family cemeteries such as Evergreen Cem and Shaw Cem, offering a detailed record of the area's social fabric before modern expansion.