Old Vintage Bowling Alleys

As I've posted before, I'm currently working as the executive director of the trade association representing bowling centers in Wisconsin. I have just returned home after a 9 day, 2,000 mile journey through northern and western Wisconsin visiting member and non-member centers . . . 59 in total!

I thought folks might like to see more photos of vintage bowling centers, since the last batch I posted seemed to be popular.


Four laner in Cochrane, WI


These two lanes were in the Elmwood (WI) Village Hall


Street view through the open windows in Boyd, WI


This is an original 1949 ball return with "tenth frame switch" . . . they were later known as the "reset button" . . . this was a four lane center in Glenwood City, WI


Club 53 is in Amery, WI . . . and is an updated four lane center but their signage is still vintage neon


My vintage bowling geek friends love this old Brunswick style because they are so rare to be seen today

Here's the full view of Club Cumberland in Cumberland, WI


And one last photo . . . this is from Black & Orange Bar & Grill in Webster, WI

Vintage?

are there any houses left without automatic pinsetters. I remember throwing a dime to the pinboy for a job well done (also trying to wing him with one of the pins)

Although we have automatic scoring where I bowl, many of the photos look like our house.

ronparise said:

Vintage?

are there any houses left without automatic pinsetters. I remember throwing a dime to the pinboy for a job well done (also trying to wing him with one of the pins)

Click to expand...

I remember setting pins when I was 12 or 13 for one season, but that adventure didn't last long. You got paid next to nothing, and I remember spending what ever I made at the concession booth. But dodging flying pins was a real hassle. And of course the guys took great delight in trying to bean you!

ronparise said:

Vintage?

are there any houses left without automatic pinsetters. I remember throwing a dime to the pinboy for a job well done (also trying to wing him with one of the pins)

Click to expand...

Yep this one here in Milwaukee . . . but not many others!





The oldest USBC certified bowling center in the USA, they still have leagues and tipping the pin boys is expected!

p.s. The two lanes are in the basement of this tavern!

falmouth3 said:

Although we have automatic scoring where I bowl, many of the photos look like our house.

Click to expand...

There are several centers throughout Wisconsin w/o auto scoring . . . so kids are learning math when they bowl too!

Wow. great pics. Now I want to go bowl in Milwaukee!

Geez Ron. did you drive to the alley or take a horse and buggy :> Jk. You are showing some age there though.....

Timeshare Von said:

Yep this one here in Milwaukee . . . but not many others!

The oldest USBC certified bowling center in the USA, they still have leagues and tipping the pin boys is expected!

p.s. The two lanes are in the basement of this tavern!

Click to expand...

So how does it work to give a tip to the Pin Boy? Isn't he behind the Pins?


Richard

MULTIZ321 said:

So how does it work to give a tip to the Pin Boy? Isn't he behind the Pins?


Richard

Click to expand...

Yes they are. I'm told you roll your bowling ball down with a bill (or two) in the thumb hole. It's been years since the last time I was in Holler House when they were league bowling.

I'll have to make a trip down there this fall . . . inquiring minds ya know.

taterhed said:

Wow. great pics. Now I want to go bowl in Milwaukee! <snip>

Click to expand...

Come on out . . . I'll take you on the (bowling) grand tour

Timeshare Von said:

Yes they are. I'm told you roll your bowling ball down with a bill (or two) in the thumb hole. It's been years since the last time I was in Holler House when they were league bowling.

I'll have to make a trip down there this fall . . . inquiring minds ya know.

Click to expand...

My dad told me they would throw him a nickle down the alley (1930's depression era)

as a kid (1950's) I watched my dad throw dimes

Neat stories and photos, Von. Hoping you're compiling all this for a great book--your photos and the history would be pretty interesting to a lot of folks.

MuranoJo said:

Neat stories and photos, Von. Hoping you're compiling all this for a great book--your photos and the history would be pretty interesting to a lot of folks.

Click to expand...

Actually, when I visiting for work, I can't really spend the time necessary to take professional photos or to interview at the level that a book would require.

Also, my friend Kevin Hong is already working on a book. He has a blog already with content, plus he posts a lot of great stuff on his Facebook page dedicated to Vintage Bowling Alleys.

His efforts have spanned beyond just one state (Wisconsin). Speaking of Wisconsin, there was a little documentary done on "Pints & Pins" . . . about the bowling alleys in bars phenomenon that we have here. It's worth a look by anyone interested in the people and stories behind the photos.

I'm just happy that my job allows me the great opportunity to be on the road and to meet some pretty cool people and see some wonderful places.

p.s. During my Bowlapolooza trip, I also took a day off to go to Bayfield, WI and check out the Apostle Islands (and the lighthouses) and an hour's detour to Effigy Nat'l Monument across the Mississippi River from Prairie du Chien in Iowa.

Yvonne, Thanks for the Wisconsin 'Bowling travelogue', DW is a Sun Prairie girl. Her dad was high in the VFW and State Dept' of Education. He (and family) traveled the back roads all over the state for his functions. 'Dad's gone now, but was quite a character. He grew up in the North Woods at Eagle River, caddying and pin setting for the 'rich people' from Chicago, and was one of the 'Greatest Generation.'

Yet another thought; One could make a similar tour of Wisconsin to the various VFW posts around the state. It seems there a about a million off 'em. (OK, I'm exaggerating) One is never far from a Friday Night Fish Fry at some little VFW out in the boonies in Wisconsin.

Sorry for wandering off the track.

Jim

Passepartout said:

Yvonne, Thanks for the Wisconsin 'Bowling travelogue', DW is a Sun Prairie girl. Her dad was high in the VFW and State Dept' of Education. He (and family) traveled the back roads all over the state for his functions. 'Dad's gone now, but was quite a character. He grew up in the North Woods at Eagle River, caddying and pin setting for the 'rich people' from Chicago, and was one of the 'Greatest Generation.'

Yet another thought; One could make a similar tour of Wisconsin to the various VFW posts around the state. It seems there a about a million off 'em. (OK, I'm exaggerating) One is never far from a Friday Night Fish Fry at some little VFW out in the boonies in Wisconsin.

Sorry for wandering off the track.

Jim

Click to expand...

Yep there is plenty to see on the back roads of Wisconsin. And bowling center fish fries are actually quite good! I did one on each of the two Friday's I was touring.


Coulee Golf Bowl in Onalaska, WI (8/28/15)

There are also pretty good pizzas in a lot of centers . . . this was "the best $5 pizza" I've ever had! Frankly, better than Pizza Hut, Dominoes and any other chain zaaa around.

Chetek Lanes in Chetek, WI (8/26/15)

bobpark56

OK, I give up. Are there any vintage bowling Alleys that are not old?

bobpark56 said:

OK, I give up. Are there any vintage bowling Alleys that are not old?

Click to expand...

I suppose by saying "vintage" one is saying it is "old" . . . but there are old bowling centers that are not vintage . . . so there is a distinction.