Wolfeboro, NH Through Different Eyes

Woleboro, NH Town Docks
Woleboro, NH Town Docks

Many famous people have owned beautiful homes and estates in Wolfeboro over the years. One of the most interesting was Chiang Kai-shek. He was a Chinese political leader and a major figure in Chinese history from 1927 to 1948. His wife, Soong Mei-ling, often called Madame Chiang Kai-shek, was also prominent in the world scene. Time Magazine named the couple “Man and Woman of the Year” in 1938. In his “New Hampshire Commentary” blog, Dean Dexter says the couple “were what Tracy and Hepburn were to the movies of that era, or what Franklin and Eleanor were to a nation working itself out of the Great Depression.”

According to Nick Liptak’s article in The New Yorker, Madame Kai-shek maintained an estate in Wolfeboro until her death in 2003. When she visited she frequented the antique shops flanked by Chinese bodyguards. She was known to often play hostess to movie star Debra Paget and NH Senator Styles Bridges. Why is this so interesting? For one simple reason – here you have well-known figures from the other side of the world who chose to buy an estate in, of all places, Wolfeboro, NH.

Over the years, other famous people have owned houses in Wolfeboro – people who had the means to choose properties anywhere, such as Mitt Romney. In fact, Wolfeboro has become known for the celebrities it draws, from world and political leaders such as former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Monaco’s Prince Rainier and Princess Grace; to author Kurt Vonnegut; to a myriad of movie stars including Paul Newman, Farah Fawcett, Jack Lemmon, Sophia Loren, Jane and Henry Fonda, Drew Barrymore, Kirk Douglas, Jimmy Fallon, Dustin Hoffman, and many more. Maybe these people saw the same things the Kai-sheks saw. Maybe they saw the same things I see when I drive through Wolfeboro with my clients.

I recently sold a home to a couple moving to NH from the South. They visited Wolfeboro and three weeks later bought a house. As I took them through the main street, they instantly fell in love with the town. The best way to see a place you are familiar with is through the eyes of an outsider. When we show someone else the best parts of where we live, we truly begin to appreciate them ourselves. We can only speculate as to the thoughts the town of Wolfeboro has invoked in outsiders. But at the same time, pointing to the beauty of the unspoiled surroundings and the Dickens-like town would be a safe guess. Wolfeboro looks every bit as charming as Malton in North Yorkshire, the town which inspired Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. When I drove through downtown with my Southern clients, they were greeted by the enormous Christmas tree in front of Black’s Paper & Gifts. Classic wreaths and swags, ribbons and bows, adorned the storefronts. Behind multi-pane store windows sparkled lively and colorful holiday displays. All the houses in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods were decked with traditional Christmas garlands, festoons, and lights.

Wolfeboro traces its history back to 1759 and many are familiar with its claim to be “the oldest summer resort in America.” It is a classic New England town. The meticulous grounds of Brewster Academy greet you as you drive in from the east. Apart from being a well-respected preparatory school with students from over 20 countries, Brewster is the site for numerous Gordon Research Conferences, which are prestigious international meetings for scientists.

Wolfeboro has no big box stores, franchises, or tacky florescent signs. The main street is dotted with bookstores, art galleries, cafés, pubs, bistros, and restaurants. There are unique shops, some with NH products, including Kalled Gallery, Wolfeboro Casuals, Hampshire Pewter, Back Bay Clothing, The Art Place, and many more.

The backdrop for main street is Lake Winnipesaukee. Picturesque town docks allow boating visitors from all points on the lake to enjoy downtown. On any day in the summer you will see all types of boats lined up. Getting an ice cream at Bailey’s Bubble on the docks is a long-standing tradition. The Wolfeboro Community Bandstand, located in Cate Park on the shores of the lake, provides music under the stars on Saturday evenings in the summer. At the Kingswood Arts Center, the non-profit Great Waters Music Festival, founded in 1995 by Dr. Gerald Mack, brings together professional and amateur musicians and offers a varied program of musical styles. The award-winning Klickety-Klack Railroad is a model railroad and hobby shop. It has been featured in Yankee Magazine and WMUR-TV and has more than 70 trains that visitors can operate themselves. The Wright Museum of World War II received 5 star ratings and the 2015 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor®. For over 20 years, this museum has impressed and moved visitors with its display of tanks, model aircraft carriers, exhibits about life in the military, and WWII paraphernalia. Wolfeboro Inn is an enchanting stay overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, and it delights its guests with a quintessential lodging experience. It also houses Wolfe’s Tavern, which is one of the only authentic New England pubs in the Lakes Region.

For a small town in central NH, Wolfeboro has much to offer residents and visitors alike. Though Wolfeboro properties can certainly draw big numbers, particularly for the choicest waterfront locations, in reality the town is a place everyone can enjoy. In 2015, the average selling price for a home in Wolfeboro was $259,781. The former Kai-shek estate was situated on a stretch of shore that was redeveloped under the name Embassy Estates, which today is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Wolfeboro. Current homes for sale in this neighborhood range from $459,000 to nearly 5 million. As a point of interest, the estate President Sarkozy stayed in sold last year for $8,979,000. This 17,000 square foot manor included a 3-bay boat house, 7 acres, and 645 feet of shorefront.

As a realtor, I am constantly traveling along the same roads throughout the entire Lakes Region. A common phenomenon could occur if I let it: an indifference to the beauty surrounding me as I drift down the road. I could miss the expansive views of lakes and mountains, ever-changing foliage, quaint New England towns and homes, and glimpses of wildlife. The next time you travel along accustomed routes, remember to take the time to see the passing scenes through the eyes of an outsider – the Kai-sheks, Romneys, and the rest. You may have a change in your perspective of those familiar places.

This post was written by Mary O’Neill. 

Moving into new home young happy couple celebrating toast Champagne

Buying a Home? Follow These Tips & Tricks

Spring has officially arrived and launches the beginning of our spring selling season for real …

Read More →
Marketing

How Marketing Real Estate Has Evolved

Back in the year 2000, the world was at the beginning stages of a major …

Read More →
Mount Washington, New Hampshire

New Hampshire — 30 Reasons to Move Here!

With lakes, beaches, mountains, forests, rivers, and the ocean for people who enjoy the outdoors, …

Read More →
New Hampshire Ski Resort

Ski Resorts in New Hampshire Are Ready for Spring Skiing!

It’s been a good week, and mother nature hit our region with a blanket of …

Read More →
Market Trends

Real Estate Market Trends to Follow

I’ve been pulling up some current research on the real estate market on a national, …

Read More →
Carol Mattice

Roche Realty Group Welcomes Carol Mattice

Meredith — Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc, with offices in Meredith and …

Read More →
Kevin Shaw - Roche Realty Group

Kevin Shaw of Roche Realty Group is Top Producer for 2022

Laconia— Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, recently announced …

Read More →
Lisa Lewis

Lisa Lewis Joins Roche Realty Group

Meredith — Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc, with offices in Meredith and …

Read More →
Wanda Keenan

Wanda Keenan Joins Roche Realty Group

Meredith— Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc. with offices in Meredith and Laconia, …

Read More →
Land for sale

Buy Land in New Hampshire — They’re Not Making it Anymore

The science is in and the more trees a state has, the happier and less …

Read More →
The Price of Real Estate

Did The Price of Real Estate Increase in Your Town?

Everyone’s always interested to see how their real estate values have performed over the past …

Read More →
Laid off employee in recession

Are We Headed into a Recession?

It’s pretty big news lately; Microsoft, Amazon, and other tech companies have laid off more …

Read More →
Price Reduced

2022 vs. 2021 — Is The Lakes Region’s Frenzied Market Over?

It’s that time of year to provide all of you with an update on real …

Read More →
Roche Realty Meredith

Roche Realty Group Reports a Record of $181 Million in Sales

               Meredith- Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc, …

Read More →
Hillside Inn Winter

12 Things To Get You Through The Winter Months

On December 21st, the winter solstice marked the start of when days will begin to …

Read More →
Housing Inventory Lacking - Lake Winnisquam, NH

Lake Winnisquam, NH’s 4th Largest Lake is in Strong Demand

There are literally 273 lakes, ponds and rivers to enjoy in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. …

Read More →
Interest Rates

Will We Ever See 1980s Interest Rates?

I was with a Realtor® friend of mine this past week, and we discussed what …

Read More →
Hikers overlooking the lake in New Hampshire, voted "Best State to Live in America" in 2020.

Squam Lake — a Lakes Region Treasure

This past summer, I was invited for lunch and a nice boat ride around Squam …

Read More →
Shop Local New Hampshire

Small Business Saturday in New Hampshire!

We have many things to be thankful for here in New Hampshire, plenty of natural …

Read More →
Couple downsizing to smaller home

Does Downsizing Your Home in Lakes Region Make Sense?

There are many things to consider when planning to sell your home to downsize into …

Read More →
Newfound Lake, New Hampshire

Newfound Lake is the 8th clearest lake in US

Newfound Lake is the 8th clearest lake in the United States New Hampshire has a …

Read More →
Echo Lake New Hampshire

New Hampshire Rankings are Impressive!

New Hampshire has always been fortunate to land in many of the country’s top 10 …

Read More →
Lakeside at Paugus Bay

Impressive New Construction in the Lakes Region

For new construction sales in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, 2022 has shown very impressive results. …

Read More →
Inflation and housing prices

How Inflation Impacts Lakes Region Housing Prices

I was out with a friend this week on Squam Lake, and we were talking …

Read More →
Picture of author in the Grand Canyon

Is Lake Region Real Estate Drying Up Like The Southwest?

I just returned from a trip to Nevada, Arizona, and Utah this past week. Put …

Read More →
Brook Hill at Meredith: New luxury homes in Meredith, NH

Brisk Sales at Brook Hill in Meredith

Meredith— Sales at Brook Hill, a new luxury townhouse community in Meredith, have been exceptional …

Read More →

Impressive Sales at Lakeside at Paugus Bay

Laconia— Sales at Lakeside at Paugus Bay, a new luxury waterfront condominium community on Lake …

Read More →

Four Decades of Change in Lakes Region Real Estate

We were talking in the office the other day regarding how much the real estate …

Read More →
Supply and demand graph, real estate housing

The driving forces in the demand for NH housing

It is no secret that our country has seen some incredible growth in the real …

Read More →
Holderness, NH

Holderness Bridges Big Squam and Little Squam

Holderness is a lakeside community in the foothills of the white mountains on New Hampshire’s …

Read More →
high inflation

Energy & Ukraine Crisis Compared to 1970s Inflation

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has emerged as a black swan event rattling the world during …

Read More →
Tilton, NH

Tilton — The Gateway to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

Tilton, New Hampshire, is considered the gateway to New Hampshire’s beautiful Lakes Region because of …

Read More →
Map of USA: How Real Estate Trends affect the Lakes Region

How Real Estate Trends Affect the Lakes Region

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region & New Hampshire Can you believe a new analysis from Zillow …

Read More →
Laconia NH

Laconia, NH — A City on the Rise

The 17,000 resident “City on the Lakes” is nestled on the shores of three of …

Read More →
Two ice sailing enthusiasts on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Waterfront Sales Activity and Real Estate News

Here’s an update on the waterfront sales activity that we experienced over the past two …

Read More →
Tuftonboro, NH

Tuftonboro — “The Diamond in The Heart of New Hampshire”

Located just west of Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro is called “The Diamond in the Heart of New …

Read More →
Aerial view of Lake Winnisquam and Sanbornton, New Hampshire

The Rural Character of Sanbornton, New Hampshire

Sanbornton embodies all that one expects to find in an old New England town. This …

Read More →
Castle in The Clouds is one of Moultonborough's largest attractions.

Moultonborough’s 66 Miles of Shorefront Captivates

By landmass Moultonborough, NH is the largest lakefront community in the Lakes Region with 59.7 …

Read More →
Kevin Shaw - Roche Realty Group

Kevin Shaw of Roche Realty Group is Top Producer for 2021

Laconia— Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, recently …

Read More →
Wolfeboro, NH — The Oldest Summer Resort Town In America

Wolfeboro, NH — The Oldest Summer Resort Town In America

Wolfeboro: a Brief History Nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains and on the …

Read More →

Roche Realty Group Reports Record of $170 Million in Sales

Meredith- Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc, with offices in Meredith and Laconia, has …

Read More →
Meredith NH

Gilford and Meredith NH – How Do They Compare?

There are 25 towns and cities comprising the Lakes Region. This week I thought I …

Read More →

EM Heath, LLC Acquires 1084 Union Ave in Laconia

The future of Ace Hardware EM Heath LLC in Laconia became solidified this past week …

Read More →
Roche Realty Group Sells Landmark Commercial Building in Gilford, NH

Roche Realty Group Sells Landmark Gilford Commercial Building

Gilford- One of the most visible, historic landmark commercial properties in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region …

Read More →
New Commercial Constructioin in Lakes Region

Commercial Sales Increasing in the Lakes Region

Recently I’ve been outlining the sales activity for residential, waterfront, and multi-family apartments in the …

Read More →
Laconia NH Commercial Building Sale

New Owner for 8,447 Sqft. Commercial Building in Laconia

Laconia— Exciting news for the downtown Laconia district. Another substantial commercial building, including approximately 8,447 …

Read More →

Strong Demand for Multi-Family Apartments in NH’s Lakes Region

Last week I was driving through Loudon Road in Concord in the busy heights area, …

Read More →
NH Lake

Area Lakes Show Considerable Appreciation

Below you will find data and insight into what’s happening in sales activity on 8 …

Read More →
inflation in shopping center / grocery store

More Inflation Concerns

More Inflation Concerns I submitted an article a while ago titled “Is Our Current Inflation …

Read More →
Alpenrose Village Retail Center located at Rte. 11 B / Rte. 3 in Weirs Beach, Laconia

Roche Realty Group Sells Alpenrose Village Retail Center

Laconia, NH – Tom Drouin of Roche Realty Group in Meredith represented both the seller and the …

Read More →

Leave a Comment