LAND UTILIZATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 



11 



towns. Nearness to homes and places of business was the strongest 

 attraction to Sanbornton waterfront residents; these were a lower in- 

 come group, and therefore were tied down more closely to local places 

 of business. 



The influence of friends attracting friends creates geographical and 

 occupational clusters of summer residents, and adds momentum to the 

 development of summer homes once the process has started. During 

 one period a number of college professors bought open country homes 

 in Sanbornton. These were colleagues in a branch of the physical 

 sciences, and one followed another, after the settlement by a first mem- 

 ber of the group. Likewise, several small business men from Laconia 

 bought summer homes on Lake Winnisquam during the middle thirties, 

 creating a block of homogeneous settlement. Other similar clusters were 

 noted, although the dispersion of settlement within local areas and the 

 divergence of friendship and occupation lines gave less clarity to the 

 pattern in these cases. 



Choice of Property 



The relation of a particular property to its environment had more 

 weight than all other combined attractions in determining the selection of 

 a particular open country or waterfront summer home. Open country 

 residents preferred an expansive view, seclusion, or proximity to friends; 



Fig. 1. Restoration for Summer Occupancy 

 Its hand-hewn timbers, wide boards and paneling, and large fireplace and 

 staircase "sold" this abandoned building, constructed in 1802, to a high school 

 vocational training teacher. The rear section is being used while the main house 

 is made fit for occupancy. 



