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

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.