Salmon Falls River Watershed

Pike Brook originates in a forested area, near Wolfeboro’s eastern border with Brookfield. The brook runs east into a small marsh and crosses into Brookfield, on its way to join the Salmon Falls River.

To see the locations of these resources in Google Earth follow this link.

If you do not have Google Earth software you may download it by following this link.

Wolfeboro is a rural tourist town on the eastern end of Lake Winnipesauke. The majority of development is concentrated around the downtown area and along Main Street. While this lakefront is heavily developed most of the rest of Wolfeboro retains its rural character.

In 2007, Wolfeboro had 13,692 acres of land in current use tax status. This includes 702 acres of farmland and 12,111 acres of forest. This represents approximately 40% of the land area in town. However, this designation does not provide permanent protection and incentives to develop may decrease these numbers in the future.

According to the U.S. census, in 2006 Wolfeboro had a population of 6,625 residents. Between 1990 and 2000, the population increased by 26%, and is projected to continue to increase at a rate of about 20% until 2030.

There are a number of parcels of conservation land throughout the town. The largest include a private easement around Moody Mountain, the Stamp Act Island Preserve in Wentworth Lake, and a town managed parcel around Upper Beach Pond.

Boating and swimming access is plentiful on the many lakes in Wolfeboro, and there is a coldwater fishery in Willey Brook.

The Town of Wolfeboro was granted on October 5, 1759, settled in 1768, and incorporated in 1770.

Wolfeboro began as a farming community with the activity center being Dimon’s Corner. This settlement was on the stage route from Dover to Conway. Lumber and the growth and sales of apple products was a large part of early industry. Wolfeboro Falls became know as “Slab City” for wood related activities carried on there. Wood products remained a major local industry until the early 20th century.

For many years the “bridge” or downtown Wolfeboro was not the center of activity. Separate entities developed around Dimon’s Corner, Goose Corner, South Wolfeboro, Pleasant Valley, Wolfeboro Falls and Wolfeboro Center.

Manufacturing came to Wolfeboro in the mid 19th century and products included textiles and ceramics, among others.

With the end of the Civil War and the building of the Wolfeboro R.R. in 1872, the tourist industry began to flourish. The Pavilion, the first hotel of major significance was built in 1850 and was followed by several others. The Mt. Washington launched in 1872 also brought in tourists by water during the summer season. Tourism continues to be a major industry for Wolfeboro.