Allen rogers buildings2

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. 

Laconia City Walk
  1. 1: Belknap Mill
  2. 2: Busiel Mill
  3. 3: Avery Dam
  4. 4: Guild-Northland Mills
  5. 5: Sunrise Towers
  6. 6: Stewart Park
  7. 7: Main Street and Urban Renewal
  8. 8: Allen-Rogers Buildings
  9. 9: Laconia Car Company
  10. 10: Pitman's Freight Room
  11. 11: Laconia Passenger Station
  12. 12: Bank Square
  13. 13: Rotary Park
  14. 14: McIntyre Building
  15. 15: Moulton Opera House
  16. 16: Pleasant Street Homes
  17. 17: Federal Building
  18. 18: Gale Memorial Library
  19. 19: Veterans Square
  20. 20: Evangelical Baptist Church
  21. 21: Congregational Church
  22. 22: Bank of New Hampshire
  23. 23: Woolworth Building
  24. 24: Cook Building
  25. 25: Pemaco Block
  26. 26: Colonial Theatre
  27. 27: Piscopo Block
  28. 28: Masonic Temple
  29. 29: Stafford House/Tavern
  30. 30: U.S. Post Office
  31. 31: John W Busiel House
  32. 32: St. Joseph Church
  33. 33: Perley Canal