Laconia Trolley Car

[Chickie]

Does anyone know the derivation of the name "Wastena" which was lettered on the side of Car 17 of the Laconia Street Railway sometime between 1901 and 1907? It is believed the name had reference to some historical place or event connected with Central New Hampshire history but specifics are not known. (Car 17 is currently at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport awaiting possible restoration.)

[mcdude]

http://laconia.pastperfect-online.com/38044images/001/L1978-1-56-3.JPG
L1978.0001.0056 (http://laconia.pastperfect-online.com/38044cgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=AAA2415E-7C1E-42C1-AAA0-044457026465;type=102), Print, Photographic, This black and white photograph depicts two men standing next to the passenger’s side of the #17 Laconia Street Car, otherwise known as the ”Wastena”.

The car has a curved roof and rows of seats facing the front of the vehicle inside of an enclosed cabin. At the side, above the windows is a ”LAKEPORT and LACONIA” sign.
Two men stand at the side of the car. They may be George Conant, her conductor, and Nelson Doucette, the motorman. Both men wear uniforms. The man at the left (Conant?) wears a hat with badge and mid-calf length double-breasted jacket. The other man wears a mid-thigh length jacket, trousers, and leather shoes.
The car is parked on Main Street, in front of Pitman’s Hardware store at 519 Main Street. This building is 2 1/2 stories with table roof running perpendicularly to the street. The windows are 6/6 with dark painted louvered shutters. The building is sheathed in lightly colored clapboard siding and has heavy molding at the roof overhand. There are two large signs on the west facade of the structure. The top reads: ”Adriance Buckeye Mow...” The bottom is obscured by the street car. A sign hangs in a second story window and says: ”E.G. Banke.”
To the north (left) of this one can see the G.A. R. building (Grand Army of Republic). This structure has ”G.A.R 37” on the west facade, written in large letters between the third floor windows. This west facade is sheathed in faux brick with clapboards visible on the south facade. The building is three stories with flat roof. The windows are 2/2 with small raised pediments over them. There is heavy cornice molding.
At the left margin one can see the southwest corner of the Union Block. This building is also 3 stories with flat roof. There are louvered shutters on either side of the 2nd and 3rd floor windows and large shop windows in the first floor. A man stands in front of the structure, at a store with a recessed striped awning and sign above. This is McCarthy’s Store.
”Car. ”WASTENA” / In front of Pitmans Hardware Store / Main St. Laconia N.H. / McCarthy’s Store at left / G.A.R. Hall in center / St. Ry had another car called ”Aquedectan.” is written on the verso in pencil. Tare is also a black stamp: ”Theo S. Jewett / 117 Church St. / Laconia, N.H.” and ”2.”

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[Jonas Pilot]

It's great to have you back mcdude.