Shepard Hill Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shepard Hill Historic District
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200 Shepard Hill Road
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 109, 135, 177, 180, 200 Shepard Hill, 6, 19, 31, 33, 35, 41 Coxboro & all of Asquam Rds., 584 US 3, Holderness, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 111 acres (45 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000843 |
| Added to NRHP | October 8, 2014 |
The Shepard Hill Historic District is a special area in Holderness, New Hampshire. It's a collection of old summer homes located on Shepard Hill Road. This spot was one of the very first places where people built summer houses near Squam Lake. Shepard Hill offers amazing views of the lake. The district includes 17 historic summer houses and a chapel. These buildings were constructed between 1870 and 1921. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Contents
Discovering Shepard Hill's Past
From Farmland to Summer Retreats
The Shepard Hill area is at the southern end of Squam Lake. For a long time, it was a farm owned by the Shepard family. That's how the hill got its name! In the late 1800s, things started to change. People began to see the hill as a perfect place for summer getaways.
The First Summer Home
The very first summer house in the Squam Lake area was built here. It was called "The Pines." William and Elizabeth Norton from New Haven, Connecticut built it in 1870. Back then, the hill didn't have many trees. This meant it had fantastic views of the lake below. Plus, it had fewer annoying insects than properties right by the water.
A Popular Spot for Friends
Over the next few decades, more and more summer homes appeared on the hill. Many of these homes belonged to friends of the Norton family. It became a popular place for people to escape the city during the warmer months.
The Famous Asquam Hotel
In 1881, a hotel was built near the top of Shepard Hill. It was called the Asquam Hotel. This hotel quickly became very popular. It needed many additions to fit all its guests. Sadly, the hotel was taken down in 1948. A famous guest who stayed there was the poet John Greenleaf Whittier.
What You'll Find in the District Today
The Shepard Hill Historic District covers most of Shepard Hill. It includes properties on Shepard Hill Road, Asquam Road, Coxboro Road, and United States Route 3. The district includes the spot where the Asquam Hotel once stood. You'll also find 17 summer houses and many smaller buildings.
Most of the houses are built in a way that gives them great views of Squam Lake. There's one special building that wasn't built as a home. It's the former St. Peter's Church. This church was built in 1888 in a style called Stick style. It has since been changed into a house.
