Strawbery Banke Presents
HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH #142

Up to 600 fishermen and their families reportedly lived at the Shoals in the mid-1600s, but only 40 remained by the Revolution. The arrival of the Appledore House (1847) and later the restored Oceanic Hotel seen here on Star Island (1875) brought over 1,000 summer visitors and staff. Today the winter population drops to a handful of caretakers.