8: Allen-Rogers Buildings

Most of the Allen-Rogers buildings were erected by the Laconia Car Company in 1894.  The car company went out of business in 1931.  Bringing Allen-Rogers and, on the other side of Water Street, the Laconia Shoe Company, to Laconia was a signal accomplishment for the Laconia Industrial Development Corp. which was formed to deal with loss of the car shops and the onset of the Great Depression.

The Allen-Rogers Corporation, formed on September 20, 1932, was a consolidation of the Allen Manufacturing Company of New Durham, New Hampshire; the JP Rogers Company of Berlin, New York; and the Kepes and Sattan Company of Wallingford, Connecticut. It began production on January 2, 1934.

Allen-Rogers produced over 40,000 products which were used principally by manufacturers of furniture, housewares, toys, games, novelties, sporting goods, sportswear, hand tools, power tools, and educational and industrial materials.  Some of the products included golf tees, kaleidoscopes, pepper mills, salt shakers, wood mallets, and 5-piece wooden rockets.  Most notably, wooden Easter eggs were produced yearly for the White House, decorated with "A FAMILY EASTER AT THE WHITE HOUSE" at the top, and followed by a picture of the White House. On the opposite side of the egg were the names of the President and First Lady. 

The Allen-Rogers Corporation  served over 350 companies across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Far East until they closed their doors in 1999.  

In 2004, the building was converted into residential units.