Neshobe Island, a serene and secluded spot on Lake Bomoseen in Castleton, Vermont, boasts a fascinating and quirky history. Once the stomping grounds for prominent literary figures and celebrities, this idyllic island retreat remains a testament to the golden age of American culture.
It's difficult to imagine that a quaint Vermont town, with a picturesque lake renowned for summer getaways, fishing, and other recreational pursuits, would transform into a playground for Hollywood celebrities and other prominent individuals. The island, named Neshobe, is located at Lake Bomoseen, in the small town of Castleton, which is just a few miles away from Rutland in the state of Vermont.
The Algonquin Round Table
A group of literary figures, known as the Algonquin Round Table, was particularly associated with the writer Alexander Woollcott during the 1920s and 1930s made it famous or perhaps infamous as some might say. By 1924, Alexander Woollcott, a member of the Algonquin circle and later a writer for The New Yorker, had purchased part of the island with six friends. Neshobe Island was a renowned retreat for members of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of literary figures that frequented the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. By the early 1930s, he had bought most of the island. During the 1930s, he constructed a spacious stone house where he permanently resided on the island; also accommodating several other members of his social circle and many other famous guests.
- This book delves into the history of two place names in Vermont: Neshobe and Lake Bombazon
- It traces the origin of the word "Neshobe," its arrival in the Green Mountains, and its eventual transformation into "Brandon
- " The author then explores the discovery of Lake Bombazon by Samuel de Champlain, the meaning behind its original name, and its modern-day moniker, "Bomoseen
- " Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author sheds light on the fascinating evolution of these names, weaving together historical accounts, personal anecdotes, and even local legends
- The book offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of language, geography, and cultural memory, revealing how place names can act as repositories of history and identity
The Exclusive Neshobe Island Club
Some of the visitors to the island during Woollcott's time included Harpo Marx, Noël Coward, Ring Lardner, Thornton Wilder, Robert Benchley, Margaret Mitchell, Laurence Olivier, Helen Hayes, Vivien Leigh, Irving Berlin, and Walt Disney. Landscaping on the island was done by the painter Gerald Murphy.
Woollcott formed a 10-member Neshobe Island Club. Charter members included notable figures like writer Alice Duer Miller, playwright Beatrice Kaufman, illustrator Neysa McMein, New Yorker co-founder Raoul Fleischmann, songwriter Howard Dietz, actress Ruth Gordon, and publisher Harold Guinzberg. Each member paid $1,000 to spend their summers on Neshobe Island, enjoying activities, conversation, and relaxation.
After winning an Oscar for Gone With the Wind, Vivien Leigh visited Neshobe Island
Woollcott’s island haven attracted a glittering array of celebrities, including Harpo Marx, Noël Coward, Ring Lardner, Thornton Wilder, Robert Benchley, Margaret Mitchell, Laurence Olivier, Helen Hayes, Vivien Leigh, Irving Berlin, and Walt Disney.
Renowned painter Gerald Murphy, who inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald’s character Dick Diver, handled the island’s landscaping. The island is where Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht completed their screenplay for Wuthering Heights.
- "That is the thing about New York," wrote Dorothy Parker in 1928
- "It is always a little more than you had hoped for
- Each day, there, is so definitely a new day
- " Now you can journey back there, in time, to a grand city teeming with hidden bars, luxurious movie palaces, and dazzling skyscrapers
- In these places, Dorothy Parker and her cohorts in the Vicious Circle at the infamous Algonquin Round Table sharpened their wit, polished their writing, and captured the energy and elegance of the time
Woollcott socialized with media celebrities of his time and invited some of them to become charter members of the Neshobe Island Club. Writer Alice Duer Miller, playwright Beatrice Kaufman, and illustrator Neysa McMein were among the Algonquinites included, along with New Yorker co-founder Raoul Fleischmann, songwriter Howard Dietz, actress Ruth Gordon, and publisher Harold Guinzberg. Memberships could be bought and sold, with only 10 members at any given time. To spend the summer on Neshobe Island, each member contributed $1,000.
They talked a lot, played a lot of sports and games, and worked a little in the rustic house. It was not enjoyed by everyone. Dorothy Parker and Vincent Sheen sat in a corner and drank. Sheen wrote that Alec was extremely angry. “We were disgraced. Anathema was what we were. We weren't giving any heed to his jokes and his annoying behavior.”
No matter how cold the lake was, everyone had to take a morning dip. While floating on his back, Woollcott appeared impervious to the cold water thanks to his protective layers of fat, and read books propped on his belly.
Harpo Marx stripped naked and brandished an ax at nosy sightseers
In his autobiography, Harpo Speaks, Marx wrote that the island's isolation, along with its natural beauty, was the thing they cherished the most. Harpo Marx, who was a close friend of Woollcott, was a frequent and well-known visitor to the island. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, he and his brother Groucho attained fame in the film industry. In real life, Marx was extremely shy and hardly spoke, even in his movie roles.
In the book ‘Beautiful Lake' Bomoseen, Angela Stebbins, a Castleton alum, quoted Marx as saying that the thing they cherished the most about the island, besides its natural beauty, was its isolation. “We entered our own primitive society every time we set foot on Neshobe, leaving behind Western Civilization.”
- First published in 1961, this is the autobiography of Harpo Marx, the silent comedian of The Marx Brothers fame
- Writing of his life before, during, and after becoming famous by incorporating lovely and humorous stories and anecdotes, Harp Marx tells of growing up in a rough neighborhood and being poor, being bullied and dropping out of school, teaching himself to read, write, tell time, and to play the piano and harp
- He speaks of his close relationships with his family members, particularly his mother and brother Leonard (Chico), who would become his partner-in-crime on screen, and the profound effect that the death of his parents Sam and Minnie had on him
- Filled with insider tales of his antics on and off stage, and the hard graft he and his brothers put into reaching their level of success, the reader becomes privy to a rare glimpse into Marx' thoughts on everything and everyone he had the privilege of working with
- The book reveals the friendships he forged and the blows he was dealt in show-business, and of his marriage to his wife, actress Susan Fleming, with whom he adopted four children and built a ranch on which they lived happily ever after, along with numerous animals
Marx enjoyed the solitude of Neshobe Island so much that he often did things that frightened even the most unsuspecting fishermen and daytime picnickers, causing them to stay away from its shores.
Harpo, a frequent and well-known visitor to Neshobe Island, cherished the island’s isolation and natural beauty. He often engaged in eccentric acts to deter curious onlookers, such as running naked and mud-caked from the woods while wearing a red wig. The island’s seclusion offered Marx and other celebrities a peaceful haven away from the public eye.
Marx is described in several publications as running out of the woods, screaming and chanting, with his body covered in mud and a red wig on his head after stripping naked. The tourists hastily collected their belongings and rushed towards their boat and the mainland, according to Stebbins. The snooping problem was solved by Marx, but the rumors became more widespread.
- Historic photographs document the history of one of Vermont's finest spots, Lake Bomoseen
- Lake Bomoseen- the largest lake entirely within Vermont's borders- once attracted thousands of visitors each year
- Its resorts and restaurants welcomed travelers of all stripes, from Walt Disney and Harpo Marx to humble groups of workers and families
- Crowds flocked to beaches and picnic areas during the daytime, and headliners like Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong kept the Casino at the lake buzzing late into the night
- Donald H
While waiting to cross the lake to the island on a summer day, Marx was approached by a group of young ladies who slowly moved closer to him, one of whom held a pen and a piece of paper. His autograph was wanted by her. Sporting his usual goofy grin, Marx sat in complete silence on the boat as Roberts watched. Marx acted quickly when the girl, who was young and well endowed, finally requested his signature. Rogers recounted the tale of Harpo standing up, grabbing the paper from the girl, and slapping it flat against her chest. Turning around, he signed his name.
Roberts and Marx floated away as the girl and her friends stood speechless and shocked on the shore. They didn't say a word until they arrived at their destination. Rogers says that Marx was still wearing his foolish smile. After stepping off the boat, he turned to Roberts and commented, ‘I bet she remembers that for a while.' Years after it happened, Roberts still tells the story of one of the few times he remembers Marx speaking.
The End of an Era
The Neshobe Island Club came to an abrupt end on January 23, 1943, when Woollcott suffered a heart attack during a radio broadcast and passed away. Today, the island features the Stone House, Woollcott’s principal residence, and the Clubhouse, which remained untouched until the Brown family arrived. Restoration efforts have since taken place to preserve the historic structures.
- This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it
- This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations
- Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work
- Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public
- We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant
Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of Neshobe Island
While Neshobe Island may appear desolate, its rich history and cherished memories live on. This hidden gem on Lake Bomoseen stands as a testament to a bygone era and the remarkable individuals who once called it their retreat.
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