Power to Welch's Island

Alby Abrevaya · 09-28-2011, 09:24 AM

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

Slickcraft · 09-28-2011, 10:01 AM

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.

ursa minor · 09-28-2011, 03:58 PM

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 Islander · 09-28-2011, 04:22 PM

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

Pineedles · 09-28-2011, 06:33 PM

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

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

GM doc · 09-28-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alby Abrevaya

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

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.

Barney Bear · 09-28-2011, 11:27 PM

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.

IslandRadio · 09-29-2011, 05:44 AM

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

09-28-2011, 09:24 AM	#1
Alby Abrevaya Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 660 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Power to Welch's Island Does anyone know when the electric cables were run under the Lake to Welch's Island? __________________ Pictures Are My Pleasure.

09-28-2011, 03:58 PM	#3
ursa minor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tuftonborough & Franklin MA Posts: 265 Thanks: 99 Thanked 143 Times in 64 Posts	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. __________________ " Any day with a boat ride in it is a good day"

09-28-2011, 11:27 PM	#7
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	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.

09-29-2011, 05:44 AM	#8
IslandRadio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mirror Lake - Full time resident Posts: 398 Thanks: 70 Thanked 156 Times in 61 Posts	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

09-28-2011, 10:01 AM	#2
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	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.

09-28-2011, 04:22 PM	#4
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	"Bear Island Reflections" the history book of Bear Island claims that Bear, and some of the other major islands were electrified in 1942.

09-28-2011, 06:33 PM	#5
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,542 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	I am such a dunce on this one. I would have guesed that islands weren't electrified until the 80's. I felt sorry for them for 30 years. Missplaced sympathies I guess.