Laconia District Court
a.k.a. Laconia High School;Academy Street School
Academy Sq., Laconia, NHThe Laconia District Court is a fine example of Victorian school architecture and of the late Second Empire style. Although built under a tight budget, it exemplifies the monumentality and complexity expected in late nineteenth-century public buildings.
In 1886, the Laconia High School was housed in the old Gilford Academy, a building that was overcrowded and obsolete by current standards. As the lease for the Academy and its lot was soon to expire, the village district school board decided that it was time to act, and placed in the warrant for the March 26 district meeting an article--"To see what action the district will take in relation to a new building for the use of the High and Grammar Schools...". The meeting appointed a committee to study the question and adjourned until April 9. The study committee then reported that it had negotiated a new 99-year lease with the trustees of the Academy and recommended the construction of a new school on the Academy lot. The report was generally approved by the meeting, which instructed the committee to obtain more detailed plans within three weeks. On April 30, the committee presented preliminary plans and an estimate for a brick school building prepared by architect Edward Dow of Concord. "After a thorough discussion of the plan, it was voted to build substantially on the model proposed by the committee at an expense not to exceed $21,000." A building committee was elected and the district meeting finally adjourned.
In June, the old Academy was placed on rollers and moved a short distance to clear the site. By June 25, the building committee had "engaged as an architect Mr. F. N. Footman of Boston". The foundation was completed in July. But further work was held up when the committee realized that the appropriation was not sufficient to build the school according to plan and to meet an unexpected expense, a new sewer drain to the Winnipesaukee River. On August 9, a special district meeting appropriated an additional $5,000. Contracts were then made for the exterior of the building which was "well nigh completed" in late November. The contracts for the interior were let in the spring. And the building was finished shortly before the opening of the fall school term on September 5, 1887.
Local significance of the building:
In 1886, the Laconia High School was housed in the old Gilford Academy, a building that was overcrowded and obsolete by current standards. As the lease for the Academy and its lot was soon to expire, the village district school board decided that it was time to act, and placed in the warrant for the March 26 district meeting an article--"To see what action the district will take in relation to a new building for the use of the High and Grammar Schools...". The meeting appointed a committee to study the question and adjourned until April 9. The study committee then reported that it had negotiated a new 99-year lease with the trustees of the Academy and recommended the construction of a new school on the Academy lot. The report was generally approved by the meeting, which instructed the committee to obtain more detailed plans within three weeks. On April 30, the committee presented preliminary plans and an estimate for a brick school building prepared by architect Edward Dow of Concord. "After a thorough discussion of the plan, it was voted to build substantially on the model proposed by the committee at an expense not to exceed $21,000." A building committee was elected and the district meeting finally adjourned.
In June, the old Academy was placed on rollers and moved a short distance to clear the site. By June 25, the building committee had "engaged as an architect Mr. F. N. Footman of Boston". The foundation was completed in July. But further work was held up when the committee realized that the appropriation was not sufficient to build the school according to plan and to meet an unexpected expense, a new sewer drain to the Winnipesaukee River. On August 9, a special district meeting appropriated an additional $5,000. Contracts were then made for the exterior of the building which was "well nigh completed" in late November. The contracts for the interior were let in the spring. And the building was finished shortly before the opening of the fall school term on September 5, 1887.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
New Hampshire was one of the original thirteen colonies that rebelled against British rule in the American Revolution.
About Belknap County
Belknap County Timeline
Belknap County, located in the state of New Hampshire, has a rich history that dates back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Abenaki Native American tribe before European settlers arrived in the 17th century. It was named after Jeremy Belknap, a prominent clergyman and historian of that time.
In the early years, Belknap County was primarily a farming community with settlements spread across the region. The area experienced some level of conflict during the French and Indian War in the mid-18th century, as well as during the American Revolutionary War. However, it remained a relatively remote and undeveloped area until the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century.
The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century transformed Belknap County, opening up new opportunities for trade and commerce. The county saw a significant increase in tourism as people from nearby cities began visiting the lakes and mountains in the region, attracted by its natural beauty. This led to the development of resorts and hotels, further boosting the local economy.
Belknap County continued to grow and evolve into the 20th century. The county became an important center for manufacturing, with industries such as textiles, paper mills, and shoe manufacturing playing a significant role in the local economy. Over time, the county also expanded its educational and cultural institutions, establishing schools, libraries, and museums to serve the growing population.
Today, Belknap County remains a thriving part of New Hampshire, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and thriving communities. While agriculture and manufacturing have seen decline, the county has diversified its economy to include sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and service industries. Belknap County continues to honor its history while embracing modern development, ensuring a bright future for its residents and visitors.
In the early years, Belknap County was primarily a farming community with settlements spread across the region. The area experienced some level of conflict during the French and Indian War in the mid-18th century, as well as during the American Revolutionary War. However, it remained a relatively remote and undeveloped area until the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century.
The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century transformed Belknap County, opening up new opportunities for trade and commerce. The county saw a significant increase in tourism as people from nearby cities began visiting the lakes and mountains in the region, attracted by its natural beauty. This led to the development of resorts and hotels, further boosting the local economy.
Belknap County continued to grow and evolve into the 20th century. The county became an important center for manufacturing, with industries such as textiles, paper mills, and shoe manufacturing playing a significant role in the local economy. Over time, the county also expanded its educational and cultural institutions, establishing schools, libraries, and museums to serve the growing population.
Today, Belknap County remains a thriving part of New Hampshire, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and thriving communities. While agriculture and manufacturing have seen decline, the county has diversified its economy to include sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and service industries. Belknap County continues to honor its history while embracing modern development, ensuring a bright future for its residents and visitors.
Belknap County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Belknap County, New Hampshire.
- 1790: Belknap County was established on December 22, 1790.
- 1823: The first county courthouse was built in Meredith.
- 1840: Laconia, the largest city in the county, was incorporated on February 23, 1840.
- 1842: The Belknap County complex, including the current courthouse, was completed in 1842.
- 1855: The railroad arrived in Belknap County, contributing to its economic growth.
- 1868: The Laconia Car Company, a major employer, was founded in Laconia.
- 1973: The Gunstock Mountain Resort opened in Gilford.
- 1995: The Belknap Mill, the oldest unaltered brick textile mill in the United States, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.