City Services
NAME OF SERVICE | TELEPHONE | ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Department (Weirs Beach Fire Station) | 603-366-2229 (Dial 911 in an emergency) | Lucerne Avenue at Route 11B |
 Weirs Beach Fire Engine #5 in front of NHVA headquarters  | ||
| Police Department | 603-524-5252 (Dial 911 in an emergency) | 126 New Salem St, Laconia |
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| Laconia Library | 603-524-4775 | 695 Main St, Laconia |
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| Weirs Beach Public Docks (39 boat slips) | The Boardwalk | |
Panorama of the Weirs Public Docks, September 7, 2017.  | ||
| Weirs Community Center | 603-366-5185 | 25 Lucerne Avenue |
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| Weirs Community Park (27 acres) | 603-524-5046 | 49 Lucerne Avenue |
| Lakeport Community Association | ||
City Hall. 1972-present. Originally built with a flat roof, the gabled roof was added in 1986.
HISTORICAL VIEWS OF LACONIA
Day and night views of Laconia, Dixon’s Point, and Lake Winnisquam from a hill at the entrance to Laconia. One of the earliest views of Laconia was drawn at this spot in 1875. Click here for the 1875 view, many alternate views, and a history of the hotels that stood atop this hill.
HISTORICAL IMAGES OF LACONIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
In 1917, the Laconia Fire Department acquired its first “autombile fire engine”, although use of its horse-drawn hose wagons, hook and ladders, and the steamer continued for a number of years longer.
J.A. Greene Hose Co. No. 1, The Weirs, N.H. From the cover of a menu for a banquet held on July 2, 1906, at the New Hotel Weirs
Historical Views of Veterans Square
A 1910s view of Veterans Square, showing both the Laconia Library and the Laconia Tavern.
A similar view of the Square also shows the Soldiers’ Monument.
The Laconia Library
The Gale Memorial Library opened in June, 1903. Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1985. Recent addition opened in 2006.
The Laconia Tavern
The Laconia Tavern, built in 1913, was the largest hotel in downtown Laconia until 1969, when it was converted to affordable apartments. The Tavern featured a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and numerous meeting rooms. Its most famous guest was President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who stayed at the hotel on June 23, 1955, during his re-election campaign.
Contemporary photo of the Tavern.
The former Laconia Tavern on May 16, 2024, as seen from Main Street. No longer a hotel, the building is now the Tavern Inn Apartments, subsidized housing offered to senior residents who are all 62 years old or older. The Laconia Housing Authority acquired the building in 1997. There are 50 apartments in the building. Eight apartments are efficiency, and 42 are one-bedroom.
Not clearly seen in the old postcards above, here is a modern photo that shows the elaborate brick pattern above the first-floor Tavern windows.
The Laconia Railroad Station
The brick Laconia Railroad Station was dedicated on August 22, 1892, replacing a wooden station that had been located where the HQ of Bank of NH is now.
The Laconia Railroad Station in the 1950s, before the left side of the station was filled in.
The Laconia Railroad Station circa 1905.
The Laconia Railroad station circa 1910, with cars, a horse-drawn cart, and trolley tracks.
A view of the station from the other direction. Seen are the Veterans Square obelisk, a cannon and two piles of cannonballs.
As seen in this contemporary photo taken May 18, 2024, the cannons and cannonballs have been moved to the other side of the Civil War obelisk.
A closer look at the Veterans Square obelisk and cannonballs. The three inscriptions on the obelisk read “1861-1865”; “To Our Country’s Defenders”; and “Erected by Laconia in honor of the heroic valor and patriotic service of her sons during the Civil War.”
There are now plaques in Veterans’ Park memorializing the names of the fallen Laconia heroes of the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. There is also a memorial fountain with words circling its base: “May courage, wisdom and perseverence flow through the souls of all who serve and protect this nation each day.”
Depot Square circa 1900
Depot Square postcard showing the Evangelical Baptist Church.
Depot Square postcard showing the train station, library, Evangelical Baptist and Congregational churches.
