The islands of southern Lake Winnipesaukee have a rich and diverse history. The first summer home on Sleepers Island was Hale's castle, a replica of a medieval castle constructed by the same stone masons who built Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough. An indigenous archeological site and other relics have been uncovered on Rattlesnake Island. Treasure Island and Cub Island were originally developed as a boy's summer camp. Diamond Island was a stop for the steamboat Lady of the Lake , and the Diamond Island House was cut in half and moved across the lake to become the Hotel Weirs. In later years, the U.S. Navy established a research station on the island. Local author and islander Stephanie Erickson shares the history of the islands and how they have shaped the culture of the islanders today.

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