Loon Island, New Hampshire
Harbour Lights #800
2008 In-Store Event Exclusive

In the late 1880’s, Loon Island Light was one of three beacons built on Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire’s fifth largest lake, as an aid to boaters.

Lake Sunapee was a popular vacation destination for travelers from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Steamships would ferry passengers from the south end of the lake to cottages and large resort hotels surrounding Sunapee.
Launched in 1885, the “Edmund Burke” was one such steamer.

In 1891, the vessel struck an underwater ledge at Loon Island. The result of this incident was the construction of a lighthouse on this small island. At a cost of $400.00, the Woodsum brothers, owners of several steamships, had a wood tower built in 1893. While being repaired by the local fire department, the tower caught fire! The firemen drowned the fire with lake water and then continued their repairs.

A second tower, built in 1960, also caught fire after being struck by lightning. That same year, through private funding, the tower was rebuilt.

Tourism on Lake Sunapee declined in the years of the Great Depression and soon the grand hotels and steamships faded away.

Today, Loon Island Light assists recreational boaters, who enjoy the beauty and splendor of Lake Sunapee.

Loon Island Lighthouse is maintained by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.