Past & Present Bowling Alleys - Greater Springfield Bowling ...

BOWLING ESTABLISHMENT HISTORY
IF ANYONE HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE GSBA
ELKHORN SALOON & BOWLING ALLEY:
Located at 625 E. Adams. Number of lanes unknown. John Weisz, Jr., the
proprietor. Listed in the 1874-75 directory, but not listed in the 1879-80 edition.
JACOB JOERGER BOWLING ALLEY:
Located at 209 W. Market. Number of lanes unknown. Listed in the city directory for
1874-75 only.
GLENWOOD PARK PAVILION:
Located on the eastern edge of Springfield, near Rochester. Two lanes. Ethel Kalb
was related to the founders of the pavilion/lanes. Some believe it was opened in the
1860’s, while others believe it was during the 1890’s. One newspaper speaks of an
opening on May 5, 1890, but unclear of whether the initial or a re-opening.
DANA THOMAS HOUSE:
This was one lane in a private home. The one lane was 63’ 4" long, with 60’ 3" from
the foul line to the head pin. The lane was 3’ 7" wide, with 9 1/2" gutter widths.
Newspaper articles list that plans for construction were taken out in February, 1901
and completion set for late 1904. Later articles indicate that on December 15, 1904,
a party was held for the workers and families who helped build the house. A few
days later, December 21, 1904, a party was held for society, plus preparing the home
for the Christmas season. Believe the final plans for the home were completed on
January 18, 1903. Located at 300 E. Lawrence.
BEKEMEYER’S SALOON & BOWLING ALLEY:
Located at 615 E. Adams. Number of lanes unknown. This site was listed in the city
directory as bowling lanes in 1892-1893, then listed as a saloon in the 1894 directory.
In 1896 again listed as bowling lanes, with the lanes 79 feet from the foul line to the
headpin. The lanes were 28" in width. Bowling balls were wooden, with no finger
holes. The city directory for 1898 lists the site as a saloon, which it apparently
remained until the death of William Bekemeyer, on December 27, 1909.
HENRY’S LANES - SPRINGFIELD ALLEYS:
Located at 415 E. Washington. Three lanes. The owner was Chester M. Lane, and it
was also known as a saloon. In the 1900 city directory it was listed as a pool parlor
and bowling alley, with ownership then by William H. McGetrick. No bowling listed for
this site in 1902. It was sometimes referred to as the Springfield Alleys.
PASTIME ALLEYS:
Located at 627 E. Adams. Number of lanes unknown. The owner was William J.
Nees, who resided in Decatur, according to the 1900 city directory. The grand
opening was held on March 13, 1900. The 1902 directory lists the site as the Miller
Harness Company.

ARION ALLEYS:
Located at 325 E. Jefferson. Three lanes. The official opening date is unknown, but
they had bowling leagues in October, 1902 and at least through March 26, 1911. In
1908 it was listed as a pool hall and bowling alley, with the proprietor Richard T.
Wandell. Mr. George Wiedlocher was the owner of the Arion Hall, 205 N. Fourth
Street, and it is unclear as to whether he had business interests in the Arion Alleys.
BRUNSWICK BOWLING ALLEYS:
Located at 311-315 S. Sixth. Four lanes. Opened on January 21, 1903. F.S. Dodd
and Baldwin Starr, owners.
GRAND ALLEYS:
Located at 322 S. Sixth. Eight lanes, four upstairs and four downstairs. John and
Charles J. Maldener, owners. The first bowling matches were held on December 10,
1902, with bowling continuing until at least January, 1904. The directory of 1905 lists
the site as the Gaiety Theater, then as Franke the Furrier, in 1908.
TOM ALLENS:
Located at 409-411 E. Jefferson. Six lanes. The lanes were located in the Freeman
Building, the proprietor was Thomas W. Allen. Opened for business on Wednesday,
April 1, 1903. The first big event was the Central Illinois bowlers tournament on April
20, 1903, which resulted in the city tournament being cancelled because of this larger
event. Unknown how long it was open as a bowling alley, but a later directory lists
the site as the Big O theater, and that this theater was destroyed by fire in 1908.
GORDY’S:
Located at 123 N. Fourth. Number of lanes unknown. W. C. Gordy listed in the 1906
city directory as having a saloon, with no bowling alley. However, it is possible, like a
number of other saloons, they had one or two lanes for enjoyment, similar to today’s
arcades. No mention of this establishment in the 1906 directory.
NEW LELAND ALLEYS - LELAND ALLEYS:
Located at 322 S. Sixth. Eight lanes. Opened in October,1910, under the guidance
of Julius C. Becker. They remained as the New Leland Alleys through the 1913-1914
season. With the 1914 season, George Kern took over ownership and changed the
name to the Leland Alleys. He operated one season here, apparently, as the 1915
city directory shows this location as vacant.
H. N. MARTIN’S:
Located at 325 E. Jefferson. Three lanes. The 1914 city directory lists H. N. Martin
opening up these alleys, and may have been the old Arion Alleys, though the listing
was as a Billiard Hall & Bowling Alley. This site was next door to Gaston L.
Rousseau’s saloon, located at 327 E. Jefferson. Listed as a saloon & bowling alley in
1915-16.
AU-TO-BOWL:
110 N. 6th. Listed in 1931 city directory, but not in the 1932 edition.

ARION CLUB ALLEYS:
Located at 325-327 E. Jefferson. Three lanes. The 1915 city directory lists the Arion
Club Alleys and the owner was Gaston L. Rousseau. He charged five cents a line to
bowl. Mr. Peter Gaa succeeded Mr. Rousseau, probably in 1916, and charged ten
cents a line to bowl, but he issued a five cent beer check with each game of bowling.
The 1917 city directory shows the address as vacant.
YMCA:
A newspaper article of 1904 speaks of a new YMCA building to be built, with bowling
lanes. It was scheduled to open around October 1, 1905, but have no knowledge if it
ever materialized.
CAPITOL CITY BOWLING & BILLIARDS:
Located at 325 1/2 E. Adams. Six lanes. George Kern moved from the Leland Alleys
to this location, starting with the 1915 bowling season. In the 1916 directory it shows
an address of 321 1/2 E. Adams and listed as the Edwin Ferris Capitol City Bowling &
Billiards Hall. The lanes remained in operation until the end of the 1926-27 season.
Once, during a bowling exhibition by Jimmy Blouin (one of the top bowlers in the
country), he bowled rather poorly and called the lanes the "sidewalks", with the
nickname sticking for a period of time.
BOX BALL ALLEY & SHOOTING GALLERY:
Located at 512 E. Jefferson. One lane. Ambrose T. Hurt opened for business in
1917. This was basically an outdoor bowling alley and shooting gallery, like a
carnival type operation. Listed in the 1918 city directory, but not in 1918.
BOX BALL ALLEY:
The 1920 city directory lists Jack Williams having these lanes at 320 E. Washington.
OGLESBY ALLEYS:
Located in Mt. Pulaski. Not much known, except that they did have bowling matches
in February, 1923.
ELKS CLUB ALLEYS:
Located at 509 S. Sixth. Four lanes originally, then six lanes in 1946. Opened for
business on March 13, 1924, with John Helmberger, manager. The original lanes
were in the basement. In 1946 the basement lanes removed and six new lanes
installed upstairs. These lanes were certified by the ABC on September 25, 1946.
The bowling alley went out of business in May, 1979.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LANES:
Located at 601 S. Sixth. Six lanes. Opened on February 1, 1925, John Gadert,
manager. The first league bowling took place on September 10, 1925. During the
following season, 1926-27, as league play about to begin, Springfield had a
tremendous rainstorm, flooding the lanes. League activity transferred to other
bowling lanes until the damage repaired. In the remodeling process, they reversed
the lanes to throw the ball towards the south instead of the previous north direction.
Also, alleged to be the first lanes in the city to have some sort of a foul light system.
Closed on May 28, 1970, with the property demolished and replaced with a building
for the Bell Telephone Company.
NEW CAPITOL CITY ALLEYS:
Located at 220 1/2 E. Monroe. Seven lanes. Opened on September 24, 1927. The
lanes were certified by
the ABC on October 20, 1927. Julius C. Becker was proprietor until his death in
December, 1929. Ownership was taken over by John Flatt, Joe and Adolph "Dusty"
Segin. Bernie Stankavich assumed ownership in 1948, and operated them until their
closing, June 29, 1953.
ORPHEUM RECREATION PALACE - ORPHEUM BOWLING & BILLIARDS:
Located at 126 N. Fifth. Twelve lanes located in the basement. Opened for business
on August 18, 1928, with T. C. Callahan, manager. The lanes certified by the ABC
on October 5, 1928. Walt Bruns was the proprietor until May, 1949, when Fred Metz
assumed ownership, changing the name to the Orpheum Bowling & Billiards. League
play ceased in 1963, at which time Robert McClintock operated it as open play
bowling and billiards. The building was torn down in 1965, the site now housing the
First of America bank drive up windows.
MASON CITY BOWL - MASON CITY BOWLING CENTER:
Located at 120 W. Chestnut. Six lanes. The lanes opened in 1939, with the lanes
certified by the ABC on January 15, 1941. Operated under the Mason City Bowling
Association until the 1963-64 season, when joined the GSBA. Several changes of
ownership, some unknown. In 1963 Joe Mounce was the proprietor, in 1965 it was
Agnes and Jack Hoelscher, 1971 it was Allen Green, 1976 it was Bill Brickell, in 1982
Greg Bannister. The lanes were sold at auction May 28, 1991, and the site
demolished.
THE BOWL:
Located at 125 E. Adams. Twenty-four lanes. Opened officially on Friday, August 1,
1941. The lanes were certified by the ABC on October 13, 1941. The pinsetting
machines were operated by pin boys, pressing down the pinsetting machine
manually. The machines were converted to semi-automatic type later, with the
pinboy pulling a rope attached to a switch. Automatic pinsetter machines installed on
November 15, 1958. The lanes closed and removed, at the conclusion of the 1967-
68 season. The building today houses offices for the State of Illinois.

SILVER LEAF BOWLING ALLEY:
Located at 910 E. Washington. Number of lanes unknown. Opening date is
unknown. However, the 1940 city directory listed this site as Silver Leaf Roller Rink,
and in the 1940-41 directory it is listed as both a roller rink and bowling lanes. Not
listed in the 1942 city directory. It was, or was to be a duckpin bowling alley.
SPRINGFIELD DUCK BOWL:
Located at 215 E. Capitol Avenue, and believe opened in 1942, as in the 1941
directory this site was listed as a Chevrolet car dealership. There were 14 lanes, and
managed by Don M. Davison. Was in operation possibly through the 1944 period, or
shortly thereafter.
MOFFET’S LANES - SPUD LANES - VIRDEN RECREATION:
Fred Moffet built the three lane Moffet Lanes in 1941, on the west side of the square.
Today it is the site of Hendrick’s Home Furnishings. The lanes were purchased by
Murv Sartoris in 1946. He operated them at this site from October, 1946 until April,
1947. He had the Virden Recreation constructed in 1947, on Springfield Street.
There were five new lanes and one lane he brought over from the old Moffet’s Lanes.
Murv operated the Virden Recreation until 1959, when they were sold to Lowell
Wallace in October, 1959. He resumed ownership in late 1965, and then sold them to
Webb Barrington, in 1966. The lanes burned to the ground in 1975. The Virden
Recreation was the first site in the area (including Springfield) to have automatic
pinsetters.
AUBURN BOWLING ALLEYS:
Located at 401 1/2 W. Jefferson. Six lanes. The first league, the eight team Auburn
Merchants, started competition at 7:09 PM, just five minutes after the final installation
by Grover Queen. The lanes owned by John Galloway. They were certified by the
ABC on October 31, 1946. The lanes closed September 8, 1955.
SPILLWAY LANES:
Located at 1120 E. Sangamon Avenue. Eight lanes. Ground broken for the lanes on
June 27, 1946, opening for business in October, 1946. The lanes certified by ABC
on November 8, 1946. Charlie and Artie James were the original proprietors. Eight
new lanes installed in August, 1966. The family business later was operated by Betty
and Stewart James, until its destruction by fire, on Tuesday, April 24, 1984.
JIM’S LANES - MENARD BOWL - NBP BOWL - J & N LANES:
Located at 111 W. Sangamon, Petersburg. Six lanes. The lanes opened in 1950, as
the Menard Bowl, by Dale Peterson. The final installation of the lanes completed on
October 6, 1950, and the lanes certified by the ABC on October 6, 1950. The lanes
purchased by the National Bank of Petersburg in 1984 and renamed as the NBP
Bowl. The James Bauser family purchased the lanes in September, 1985, renaming
them the J & N Lanes. James Bauser became the proprietor with the 1993-94
season, and changed the name of the establishment.

PARKVIEW LANES:
Located at 1518 E. Stanford. Twelve lanes. The official opening took place on
Saturday, September 16, 1953. Several lanes of the New Capitol City Alleys were
brought over to the Parkview Lanes. Certification by the ABC was on September 29,
1953. Bernie Stankavich and his family were the owners. In 1977 the lanes had a
fire, with the bowling lanes closing down on September 6, 1977.
JUNCTION BOWL:
Located on Routes 4 & 104, Auburn. Six lanes. The installation completed on
August 28, 1955. The lanes were certified by the ABC on September 21, 1955.
Andrew Michalich and Frank Bertoux were the proprietors. Closed down as a
bowling alley on September 6, 1977. Operated as a restaurant for a period of time,
and now houses a different type of business.
COMMUNITY BOWL:
Located on Lincoln Street, Pleasant Plains. Six lanes. The installation completed in
August, 1956. Certified by the ABC on September 5, 1956. Operated originally as a
community co-op until purchased by Karen and Robert Lockeby in 1964. The
building was destroyed by fire, April 20, 1988.
SUNNYSIDE BOWL:
Located at 101 Springfield Avenue, Auburn. Four lanes. Installation completed in
September, 1956. Lanes were certified by the ABC on September 27, 1956. Bill and
Helen Bartolo were the owners. The lanes closed on August 16, 1973.
ABE LINCOLN BOWL:
Located in Athens. Six lanes. Installation completed July 22, 1957, with open play
bowling on August 17, 1957. Managers have been William Basso, Alfred "Ike"
Mason and Max Hendickson. Eldon Ethel was the lessee in 1966. Jim Branthaver
assumed control in 1971, then Kenneth Freer in 1972, then again in 1972 the control
was to Dale Farmer, then in 1973 it was Donald Feagans. In 1976 the business
purchased by Tri-Rollers, Inc., of Canton, IL. In 1982 Bob and Connie Tavender
assumed ownership. In 1984 the business was purchased by Gayle Manning and
Joyce Kaehler, then sold in 1990 to Tamara and Bill Baptist.
TOPPER LANES - HILLTOP BOWL - MT. PULASKI BOWL
Located on Lafayette Street, Mt. Pulaski. Ten lanes. Installation completed on July
28, 1958. Lanes were certified by the ABC on August 28, 1958. The original name
was the Hilltop Bowl, then changed to the Mt. Pulaski Bowl, then to Topper Lanes.
Originally associated with the Lincoln Bowling Association, then became part of the
GSBA on July 31, 1962. Managers have been Irvin Rowland, James R. Jackson,
Harry E. Manes, Bert Fraim, and Franklin Payne. Jerry Fairbanks purchased the
lanes in 1975, then sold to Bill McKinley. In 1983 Don Crisup assumed ownership.
In 1994-95 season, leased lanes to Duane Cook.

STRIKE N SPARE EAST LANES - STRIKE N SPARE
Located at 3220 Stanton Avenue. Thirty-two lanes originally. Opened in October,
1958, and certified by the ABC on October 20, 1958. Twelve lanes were added in
August, 1961. Original name of Strike N Spare Lanes changed to Strike n Spare East
Lanes when a sister establishment built. The Lubin family was the proprietors until
sold to the BCA, in 1986. Automatic scoring machines installed in 1985.
ILLIOPOLIS BOWL - PRAIRIE LANES - ROESE BOWL:
Located on Route 36, Illiopolis. Ten lanes. Installation completed August 12, 1959.
Certified by the ABC on October 20, 1959. Original name was Illiopolis Bowl, then
Prairie Lanes, then Roese Bowl. Was originally associated with the Decatur Bowling
Association, but changed to the GSBA in 1973. Closed in 1986.
COUNTRY LANES:
Located on North Third Street, Girard. Opened for business, August, 1959, Paul
Cowdrey, proprietor. Purchased by Herschel and Leda Pitchford in 1962. Purchased
by Jim and Gloria Pitchford in 1974. Purchased by Bruce Pitchford in 1987.
Originally associated with the Girard-Virden Bowling Association, but joined with the
GSBA in August, 1982. Purchased by Keith Ruiter, in June, 1993.
WEST SANGAMON BOWL:
Located in Loami. Six lanes. Installation completed on September 18, 1959.
Operated as a co-op for a number of years. Certified by the ABC on October 16,
1959. Closed at the end of the 1978-79 season.
CHAPIN COUNTRY LANES - ROCHESTER LANES - G & K LANES - SOUP-R-
BOWL
Located on Route 29, Rochester. Eight lanes. Installation completed August, 1960.
The lanes certified by the ABC on October 10, 1960. Opened as the Rochester
Lanes, as a co-op. When Greg and Kay Myers purchased the business they
changed it to the G & K Lanes. Changed to the Sour-R-Bowl when purchased by the
Rosa & Thomas families. Closed during the summer of 1986. Reopened when
purchased by Dennis and Marsha Chapin. it was then named the Chapin Country
Lanes. The lanes closed and were removed in August, 1991. The building remains
today and houses another business.
KING PIN LANES:
Located at 3115 Sangamon Avenue. There were twenty-four lanes originally, with
twelve lanes added in 1968. The installation of the 24 lanes completed in September,
1960, with grand opening ceremonies held on November 5, 1960. ABC certified the
lanes on October 20, 1960. This was a partnership operation, headed primarily by
Leno Petrilli, until his death. Jack Rabbitt is now the primary operations leader.
Were the first lanes in the area to install automatic scoring machines, the AMF
Magicscore, in 1976.

SPILLWAY LANES - TOWN & COUNTRY LANES - SPILLWAY SOUTH
Located at 1025 Outer Park Drive. Thirty-six lanes. Installation completed,
September, 1961. ABC certified on October 3, 1961. Ownership was with the A&L
Corporation, Chicago. The original name was the Town & Country Lanes, with the
manager Robert Spratt. Later managers were Larry Koenig and Paul Cerniglia. The
lanes purchased by the Stewart James family in November, 1985. They did some
extensive remodeling, including the installation of automatic scoring machines.
CHATHAM LANES - CHATHAM BOWL:
Located at 201 South Grand Avenue, Chatham. Eight lanes. Installation completed
in March, 1964. ABC certified on April 6, 1964. Originally named the Chatham
Lanes, then changed to Chatham Bowl. Several owners over the years, with the last
owners the Bob Wells family, who purchased in the lanes at an auction in April, 1986.
The lanes removed after completion of the 1987-88 season, and now houses a
hardware store.
STRIKE N SPARE WEST LANES:
Located at 2660 W. Lawrence Avenue. Thirty-six lanes. Opened for business in
September, 1977. Lanes were certified by the ABC on September 20, 1977. The
architect for this building was Carl Fischer, son of Elmer C. Fischer, previous GSBA
secretary. The Lubin family was the proprietors until sold to the BCA in 1986.
Brunswick automatic scoring machines installed during the 1991-92 season.
SHOWTIME LANES - SAMARGE LANES:
Located at 1515 N. Springfield Street, Virden. Twelve lanes. Opened for business
on October 22, 1982, with Sam and Marge Osborne the original proprietors. Lanes
were certified by the ABC on November 2, 1982. Bob Odle assumed ownership in
1989. Joe Carter and Bill Pickford, Jr., assumed ownership in 1994 and changed the
name to Showtime Lanes.