Historical Scenic Views from Red Hill
The earliest illustration of the view of Lake Winnipesaukee from Red Hill. A steel engraving from American Scenery; or, Land, Lake, and River/Illustrations of Transatlantic Nature by N. P. Willis, published in London by George Virtue in 1840. The artist was W. H. Bartlett (1809-1854), the English landscape painter who traveled widely in his short life, producing images of landmarks, city views and natural wonders for a number of travel books published in London. American Scenery was the most popular of these, and remains a charming and historic picture of many parts of our country in the 1830’s. R. Wallis engraved this view in 1837 from the Bartlett art work.
A very similar illustration, date unknown, shows the view in the opposite direction, towards Squam Lake.
The following three illustrations appeared in the May 19, 1855 issue of Ballou’s Pictorial magazine.
View of Lake Winnipesaukee from the summit
Ascent of Red Hill
View of Red Hill from the lake
Description of Red Hill from the 1873, first edition of “Bachelder’s Illustrated Guide of the United States – Popular Resorts and How to Reach Them”.
An illustration of the view from Red Hill. Harper’s magazine, June, 1881 issue.
Two similar photos by the B&M railroad. The first is from a 1916 Lake Winnnipesaukee booklet. The second, from a booklet entitled “New England Lakes”, began with the following introduction: “New England’s lakes are the rarest gems with which a bountiful Nature has endowed her. They have an exquisite beauty which has stirred the muse of poets, a romantic environment which has tinctured the writings of historians, and an almost supernatural charm which, ages ago, caused the aboriginal dwellers in the land to mutely worship them. There is no portion of its broad and beautiful summer domain to which the Boston & Maine Railroad Company would more willingly direct the attention of those who are bent on the enjoyment of an inland summer vacation. It cheerfully does this, not only becasue the natural beauty and healthfulness of these charming lake resorts abundantly warrants it, but because most of them are now prepared to entertain summer visitors in a manner fully befitting the requirements of the modern vacation seeker. Of these “gems of first water,” the first that naturally comes to mind is Winnipesaukee, the largest and in many respects the grandest…”
Here are views from Red Hill of Squam Lake, which is visible from Eagle Cliff, lower in elevation and on the backside of Red Hill. The first photo appeared in a 1930’s vintage guidebook, “The Lakes Region of New Hampshire”, published by the Lakes Region Association. Click here for a similar, beautiful, modern-day view of Squam Lake from Eagle Cliff.
Historical color postcards of the view from Red Hill
A white border, linen postcard shows a stylized view of Red Hill from Lake Winnipesaukee. This is not an accurate depiction of the view.
