Tarlson's Arcade circa 1960. The Weirs Sports Center occupied the top floor of the building. Entrance to the Sports Center was from the rear of the building, via a footbridge from the parking lot. Notice Pinney's Gift Shop, partly visible on the right of the photo.



Tarlson's Arcade, circa 1955



The Tarlson's Arcade building was built around 1953, replacing "Walkden's Souvenirs" and "Jeff's Snack Bar", which had previously occupied this corner at the intersection of Lakeside Avenue and Tower Street, as shown in a 1952 tourist map of Weirs Beach.



In addition to his business interests, George Tarlson was a fireman (he was captain of the Weirs Hose company); and he was also a successful musician. A March, 1934 Laconia Democrat article noted that "The Weirs has no more popular young man than Mr. Tarlson"... Tarlson was Laconia's "Paul Whiteman" (a popular musician known as the "King of Jazz"). The article continued, Tarlson was doing business "in big time fashion. He is running three Tarlson's Tune Toppers bands." A 1936-1937 calendar appeared on the opposite side of this business card. The Tune Toppers band was a sextet featuring George on drums; his sister Hazel (Tarlson) Bridges on piano; Leo Lamere on trumpet; Harold Robinson on trombone; Philip Richardson on saxophone, and Maurice Aldrich on vocals.



George Tarlson resided in a big house on Lakeside Avenue that is now known as Castle Rest. His sister Hazel gave piano lessons for many years, including to both of the webmaster's brothers.