The $36.60 opening day that built the world’s largest arcade in Laconia, New Hampshire

Bob Lawton’s $750 Loan Built Gaming’s Largest Empire

In 1952, Bob Lawton took $750 from his grandmother and built an empire.

His tiny mini-golf course on Weirs Beach made just $36.60 on opening day, charging 35 cents per round. Yet this modest start grew into Funspot, now the world’s largest arcade.

Years later, floor attendant Gary Vincent turned what was meant to be a three-week summer job into a lifelong mission.

When he pitched an arcade museum idea during a 1998 staff meeting, nobody knew he’d create a time capsule of gaming history.

Today, the American Classic Arcade Museum houses over 250 vintage games from the golden age of arcades, preserving beeps and blips that might otherwise be lost forever.

The story of Funspot in Laconia, New Hampshire shows how small dreams can grow into something truly historic.

Grandma’s $750 Loan Sparked a Gaming Empire

Bob Lawton took a chance at 21 when he borrowed $750 from his grandma Mary Long in 1952.

Fresh from the Korean War, he wanted to do “something fun” instead of working in chemistry. Bob opened Weirs Sports Center on the second floor of Tarlson’s Arcade across from Weirs Beach boardwalk.

He teamed up with his brother John to build an indoor mini golf course and penny arcade that grew beyond what they first thought possible.

First Day’s Profits Totaled Just $42.20

On June 27, 1952, the Lawton brothers started what would become a gaming legend. They made $36.60 from mini golf and another $5. 60 from soft drinks on opening day.

They charged folks 35 cents per round to play their 9-hole mini golf course. Their first year brought in $2,900 while they paid workers just 35 cents per hour.

They ran it as a summer-only business for Lake Winnipesaukee tourists.

Twelve Years in a Rented Space Built Their Reputation

From 1952 to 1964, the Lawtons ran their business from the same rented spot. During this time, Bob learned about entertainment trends and figured out what customers wanted.

The brothers saved money and gained know-how running their growing attraction. They built a solid name as a fun summer spot that locals and tourists came back to year after year.

Route 3 Property Purchase Changed Everything

In 1964, Bob bought 21 acres on Endicott Street North (Route 3) and moved the business to its forever home. He built the “Landmarks of New Hampshire” outdoor mini golf course as the main draw.

A small clubhouse went up that soon grew into a 4,000-square-foot billiards room by 1965. Bob renamed the business “Funspot” after a magazine he read, creating what would become a famous arcade name.

Video Games Transformed a Seasonal Business

The year 1977 marked a turning point when video games took over the entertainment world. Bob quickly adapted by taking out pool tables and putting in video arcade games.

This smart move changed Funspot from a summer mini golf spot into a year-round arcade. The business grew so fast that the Lawtons had to add onto their building many times to fit all their games.

80s TO 90s Brought Massive Growth and New Locations

A huge two-story addition went up in 1986 to make room for more arcade games. Funspot grew beyond games to include a 20-lane bowling alley, restaurant, tavern, and bingo hall.

The business spread beyond Laconia with new spots across New England.

By the late 1980s, Funspot held over 600 arcade games across three floors and 70,000 square feet, making it one of the biggest game centers in America.

A Three-Week Summer Job Turned Into a 37-Year Career

Gary Vincent came to Funspot in summer 1981 as a fresh high school grad looking for short-term work.

He took a job as a floor attendant, helping folks with stuck tokens and giving out Skee-Ball prizes. His three-week gig turned into a lifelong career.

Over 37 years, Gary watched the arcade world change and noticed how customers missed the games from their younger days.

A Simple Meeting Question Led to Museum Creation

During a normal management meeting in September 1998, Bob Lawton asked, “Any other topics before we close?”

Gary Vincent spoke up with an idea to gather old classic games spread throughout the 70,000-square-foot building into a special museum area.

He noticed visitors felt nostalgic about games like Defender and Pac-Man that reminded them of arcades from their local pizza places. Bob right away approved the museum idea.

Recreating the Golden Age Arcade Experience

Gary set aside 7,000 square feet on the third floor for what would become the American Classic Arcade Museum.

He created a true arcade feel with dim lighting and 1970s-1980s music playing through ceiling speakers. Games got sorted by maker with hanging signs for Atari, Nintendo, and Taito.

Gary focused on saving games built before 1987, capturing the “golden age” of arcade gaming when these machines were king.

Nonprofit Status Helped Save Gaming History

The American Classic Arcade Museum became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2002.

Gary became the curator, spending countless hours fixing donated games. Some broken cabinets sat in storage for 10-15 years while Gary looked for missing parts.

The museum hosted its first classic video game tournament in May 1999, bringing in 60 players who came to play on the vintage machines.

Guinness Recognition Cemented a Legacy

Funspot earned its place in the Guinness World Records in 2008 as the world’s largest arcade.

The museum now houses over 250 playable classic games from before 1987. Gaming history was made when Billy Mitchell achieved the first perfect Pac-Man game.

What started with Bob’s entrepreneurial vision and a grandmother’s $750 loan combined with Gary’s preservation mission to create a unique cultural institution that keeps arcade history alive for new generations.

Visiting Funspot (Laconia, New Hampshire)

Funspot at 579 Endicott Street North in Laconia shows how Bob Lawton turned a $750 grandmother loan into the world’s largest arcade, now preserved by Gary Vincent’s American Classic Arcade Museum.

You can enter free and play classic games using tokens (25 for $5).

The complex includes an 18-hole “Landmarks of New Hampshire” mini golf course for $5 and 20-lane bowling for $6 plus shoe rental.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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