According to recorded history at the Historic Gilford Grange, one of the early power-driven boats on the lake was a unique Horse Boat. It had a horse powered treadmill that drove paddle wheels. It was one of the first power-driven boats used for transportation Lake Winnipesaukee in the mid-1800’s. The Horse Boat was eventually used to carry wood for the early steamers, such as the Lady of the Lake. This steamer was constructed in 1849 and was the first steamer to exceed 100 feet in length. I was owned by the Concord & Montreal Railroad and served until 1893.
A small island lies off the Southeast tip of Meredith Neck called Horse Island. As the tale goes, many years back a summer resident of Center Harbor had to transport his horse by boat to the Weirs. A sudden storm came up and the craft sank. Unfortunately, the man disappeared but after days of searching the horse was found living happily on an island, later dubbed “Horse Island”.