Power to Welch's Island
 

Does anyone know when the electric cables were run under the Lake to Welch's Island?

Last evening while on the island I was looking at the history of Welch through 1944. Not sure but I think there was mention of no electric power until after WW II. I'll take another look next time back on the island in a few days.

Power to Welch's Island
 

I'm not sure about Welch Island, but many of the islands (Cow and Little Bear for sure) that were electrified in the early 1960's as part of the rural electrification program. Hope this helps.

"Bear Island Reflections" the history book of Bear Island claims that Bear, and some of the other major islands were electrified in 1942.

I am such a dunce on this one. I would have guesed that islands weren't electrified until the 80's.:confused:

I felt sorry for them for 30 years. Missplaced sympathies I guess.

hum
 

I would not think that the power company would run power lines "under the lake" Why not just lay them on the "bottom" of the lake. I know, just found the question funny. AND I have no idea.:D

Electricity on Bear Island
 

There was electricity on several of the major buildings [main lodge, infirmary, office, etc.] at Camp Lawrence in 1957. Our place on East Bear Island was completely electrified when we purchased it in 1967. We shared a two-party telephone line with a neighbor for several years.

Rattlesnake Power
 

I don't have an exact date, but in talking with people who have been there a long time, I believe power was brought over to Rattlesnake (and also Sleepers) sometime in the late 60s. That's a long time.

Diamond Island still doesn't have power, but when we looked at property there a few years ago, we were told that the power company would have run a cable over to the island (at that time, a few years ago) for something like $100,000 or a figure like that. I think it worked out to be around $5000/lot. Apparently, the majority (or super-majority - I don't know how their association or whatever works) don't want power over there, and so the island has remained "dark". I thought it would have been kind of fun to set up a solar array and constructing various other methods of providing power :)