Pike speaks of family paving their way through history

LACONIA — Milo Pike will present "The History of the Pike Family and their 19th Century Beginnings" in the asphalt paving business from the 1870s to today at the public meeting of the Laconia Historical & Museum Society meeting on Monday, July 18 at 7 p.m. in Rotary Hall/Laconia Public Library.

The Industrial Revolution opened up a new world in New England. It offered many jobs to the native-born and to the immigrants later. Many generations of families are well-known today for their role in establishing local businesses and industries, and the Pike family is one such family.

A 21-year old Luther M. Pike, working with three crews of ten men each, twelve teams of horses and rakes, shovels, hand rollers and barrels, began the Pike asphalt paving business. In the late 1880s, Luther's son, Milo Lindel Pike began his business. After serving in the military, Milo's only son, Randolph Kelly Pike, joined the family business, L.M. Pike & Son. With more cars, more paved roads were needed and the business expanded.

Randolph's only son, Milo Luther Pike was awarded as a four-letter athlete when he graduated in the LHS Class of 1948. Milo joined the business in 1950. Under his management, the business grew with more plants, equipment and diversity. In 1972, the business was incorporated and the name changed to Pike Industries Inc.

Pike sold the business to CRH of Dublin, Ireland in 1988. Milo's son, Randolph "Randy" Keith Pike, stepped down in 2005 as the president and CEO of Pike.

The program is free to the public. The Laconia Historical & Museum Society encourages new membership. Contact them at P. O. Box 1126, Laconia, NH 03247, 603-527-1278, lhmslpl@metrocast.org or www.laconiahistorical.org.

Randolph Pike supervises his crew paving Main Street in Ashland. After graduating from Laconia High School Class of 1948 as a four-letter athlete and after training many summers during school breaks, his son, Milo Pike, joined the family asphalt business and went from manager to owner of Pike Industries Inc. (Courtesy photo)