[Pro Bo in Lansing closed this season. Pro bowl east when he east side Pro bowl was still open
Late notice the online auction was held in September.
Owned by Joe Joseph at one time, The place was showing its age.
Jus another bowling alley RIP.
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[Pro Bo in Lansing closed this season. Pro bowl east when he east side Pro bowl was still open
Late notice the online auction was held in September.
Owned by Joe Joseph at one time, The place was showing its age.
Jus another bowling alley RIP.
My first game I bowled at was at Chandler Lanes, they still had pinsetters back then. I then bowled in my first league at Motor City Lanes on Mack and Conner I believe, it was right around the corner from Polo's restaurant, it was there where I purchased my first bowling ball from money from a paper route it was a Colombia 300 in a blue pearl finish. After I got married I joined a mixed league and my wife and I bowled at East Warren lanes, and bowled at Ark lanes on Dequinder for a long time.
Neither of us bowl now due to health issues, I sure did have some great times and the memories that we both have.
I know this is more of a nostalgia thread, but now we got Renaissance Bowling Center [[which I would not mind checking out), Punch Bowl Social, and I notice no one mentions feather bowling at the Cadieux [[or is that not apropos ?). Personally, I wish bowling would come back to Hamtramck.
G-DDT:
Funny that you mentioned Cadieux Café as I also delivered there [[See my previous thread in "Old Detroit Bars") I went there a while back and was amazed that nothing seemed to have changed since I delivered there in the mid sixties. It looks like they moved the location of the bar because I think it was located at the back of the room. I do remember the bartender telling me back then that the feather bowling alley was composed of sawdust and ox blood. He could have been pulling my bobber though. I used to get a burger for lunch as they had great burgers, never had a hankering for mussels back then. Love them now. Great to know some places stand the test of time.
One that I used to frequent after moving back to Wyandotte is one that's often overlooked, Indian Lanes. It's located right in an industrial park on 13th Street off of Pennsylvania Road. They have about 32 lanes or at least that's what I remembered...
Beacon Bowling Alley on W. Vernor Hwy. Great memories!
Fred McClain still run and operated Belmar Lanes I in Fort St and St John's Street in Lincoln Park. Fred McClain is a legendary bowler in the 1960s, 70s, 80s even up the 90s. He made over 100 perfect games in his career. Every Monday I still see him bowl with his grandson, the next bowling phenon. He carries a 290 average and he's 14 years old.
What took over the Playdium site? I assume the building has been torn down?
Yes the building is gone. Rallee hamburger joint.
Great place long time home of the Citizen Classic, currently the Hamtramck Classic at Hazel Park.
The automatic pinsetters upstairs shook the beer tables.
The ball return placement was unusual.
I was secretary of the Jr. House L, Thursday night 9 PM for many years
That's the only way *I* know about Playdium - I bowled in the Citizen Classic many years ago. I never bowled upstairs, though. I'm not sure I even KNEW at the time that there were lanes upstairs. I'm still bowling in the tournament at Hazel Park. :-)
Bad news folks! After over 50 years of service. Cloverlanes in Livonia, MI. will be closing its doors in May 4. Most bowling leagues will have to find new bowling houses for their future leagues.
No! the banks decided not to approve the loans for Cloverlanes so the owner decided to close the house down. All bowling leagues will have to find another bowling lanes. The house has attracted lots of black leagues. The biggest black league bowls on wednesday Nnght filling all 64 lanes. [[ I think its a conspiracy to keep African American leagues from bowling in Livonia.)
And down goes Mercury Lanes for the final count...
https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...ing/676605002/
Attachment 35905Here are some bowling alley locations from the Free Press, dated June 3, 1956. The UAW was celebrating their 20th anniversary and I guess they decided to buy a whole page and just print ads and listings of businesses. Maybe these will jog some memories.
More historical bowling stuff.
Oh, hey, the bowling assoc. ran a 1/2 page ad to let you know the 1928 bowling season starts August 23!
Detroit's bowling culture was such that tournaments made the front page of the sports section during the season, and local stars were revered as only Detroit can do. Here's the bottom of the add, from the Free Press again, listing member lanes:
Attachment 35906
A picture from Mt. Elliott Recreation Lanes Cub Scouts League awards party in 1959, that's me on the far right. Happy memories of times gone bye.Attachment 35908
That's such a great picture, CTG! Little boys in shirts and [[a few) ties! When do you ever see that ever anymore?
Airway Lanes will be closing its doors for Bowling permanently after close of business on Saturday June 30, 2018. Certain non-bowling events will be discontinued later - call for info. The property is being sold to Club Royale Marine – our neighbor. We wish Club Royale all of best for success in this location.And another one bites the dust!
CassTechGrad; I think the third boy from the left in the photo of Mt. Elliott Recreation may be Arnold, he went to Transfiguration school with me. None of the others come to mind.
Stinger
Yes, you are correct. Arnold Ratkowski was the leader of Cub Scouts Bowling Team #1. The four guys in the middle of the picture I posted are Tom M, Arnold, Tom N, and Kenny from team 1. Attachment 35955
Hazel Park bowling center is closing as well at the end of July.
HSC will move to Wayne Bowl on Michigan Ave. for next season.
Mercury Lanes closing and so it Hazel Park Bowl. So there will no bowling alleys left in Metro-Detroit area by the year 2100.
Paul Case was the Pla-Mor proprietor. It probably ceased as a bowling alley not long after you graduated from Cass Tech. By the 1970's, a small party store and market selling meats were in there. The Pla-Mor had 8 lanes. In the 50's, they had leagues with bowlers that worked downtown as well as neighborhood people. The parking on Henry could be tight because of the apartment buildings on the block.
I just saw a new bowling alley on Dequindre and 12 Mile in the old Universal area. Also has escape rooms and other games.
Also, there is the Punchbowl Social on Broadway downtown that has some lanes
Now for my real reason for reopening an ancient thread:
Does anyone remember the bowling lanes at St Hedwig's church in SW Detroit? My husband was baptized and went to church there in the 40's and can't remember if they were above the church or in the school or how many there were and it's bugging him.
Cloverlanes CLOSED!
Hazel Park bowl CLOSED!
Apollo Lanes CLOSED!
Soon there will no decent bowling alleys left in Metro Detroit.
St. Hedwig had a bowling alley? Very interesting...
Found a history of St Hedwigs on the web; answered a couple of my own questions.
Quote:
In 1919, the Parish began building a large, three story school with a basement on St. Hedwig Street. On the first and second floors were to be sixteen large classrooms. The third floor was finished off as a eight lane bowling alley.
Looks like 2 three story schools still on the property. Wonder if the alley is still there?Quote:
On September 15, 1945, Fr. Callistus Winiarz was appointed pastor. During his term, which lasted until 1951, the Parish hall was modernized and the lower church was remodeled. He also put rubber on the kneelers in the upper church. The bowling alley was modernized at a cost of $7,881.
First post to this thread, bowled a lot of the east side houses, Van Dyke, Falcon, Nortown, both of the Klee's, etc.
Two unanswered locations: Westbound 8 Mile between Hoover and Van Dyke was either Linden or Minden Bowl. Northeast corner of 8 Mile and Sherwood was Motor Lanes.
When attending Wayne State I earned credits in a bowling class held at Garden Bowl; learned how to throw a proper hook, and the way to really do so by switching from conventional to a full fingertip grip.
Golden memories!
The last time I went to Garden Bowl, the lanes were horrible. No professional bowler would ever use those lanes.
My father is a league bowler, and thank God that he goes to Westland to go bowling. It makes me sad that in Detroit, if you want to go to a local [[in Detroit) bowling alley, you can only go to Renaissance Bowl.
It makes me cry that all of the good bowling lanes are becoming extinct.
Do let me know when Garden Bowl gets it's act together.
I'm sure the St. Hedwig bowling alley is being used for classrooms now. I have a feeling that the maple and pine used for the alley are still there though, just not a functional bowling alley. I will inquire with a couple of teachers that have taught there in order to see if they know anything.
St. Hedwig School closed in 1990 when the neighborhood took a dive. Fleetwood, Clark Street and Fisher Body had just closed which broke up a lot of native SW Detroit families with many auto factory workers being offered jobs down South. Gang activity was prevalent throughout the barrio and property values were horrendous. Look at us now though!
The St. Hedwig campus is thriving. The church never closed and has clustered with St. Francis on Wesson and Buchanan and Sunday Masses are standing room only. Regarding the school building...it is a Detroit Public Elementary School - Academy of the Americas. Nice to see the hustle and bustle on Junction when school let out and seeing the kiddies playing during recess at St. Hedwig Park.
Ahem....back to bowling alleys. I'll toss in a few Southwest alleys to get the wheels in the noggin going.
Beacon Bowling alley on Vernor by Waterman
Bowling alley on Springwells by Navy Street on the East side of the Street...don't remember the name.
Bowling alley on Vernor by Clark. Clark Bowling alley maybe?
Bowling alley on Vernor by Wendell across the street from Sammy's Pizzeria.
Bowling lanes UPSTAIRS of the Blue Diamond Lounge on Campbell and Plumer [[not too far from St. Hedwig BTW)
I probably would be a decent bowler if all these joints would have survived and stayed open.
Stumbled across this today. It was not on John R. It was located at the intersection of Grand River and National [[renamed to Cochrane Street in 1962). Address in directories is 3745 National and is usually referred to as Olympic Recreation. I believe it is the building circled in this 1949 aerial:
Attachment 42930
It was that bowling alley at Grand River and National [[Cochrane) where Gordie Howe first met Colleen. They married shortly after.
Hi Ray,
The story always told was Gordie and Colleen met just up the street from Olympia at Lucky Strike on Grand River near the Blvd. Were you ever in there or Grand Central Recreation [[14th & Ferry Park) while on duty?
Olympic was a place that seemed like it was going strong into the early 60's. They still had the All Star Classic nights.
The story always told was Gordie and Colleen met just up the street from Olympia at Lucky Strike on Grand River near the Blvd. Were you ever in there or Grand Central Recreation [[14th & Ferry Park) while on duty?
.[/QUOTE]
I'll be darned if I can recall a bowling alley at that location. But jeez, we're talking over a half century ago. I guess I'm allowed to forget details. But I sure remember making my pulls from the call box at 14th and Ferry Park. Good beat; allowed me to hang out around old Providence Hospital and chat with some super nurses..............:)
- https://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/attach/jpg.gif box3.jpg [[116.6 KB)
.[/QUOTE]
I'll be darned if I can recall a bowling alley at that location. But jeez, we're talking over a half century ago. I guess I'm allowed to forget details. But I sure remember making my pulls from the call box at 14th and Ferry Park. Good beat; allowed me to hang out around old Providence Hospital and chat with some super nurses..............:)
- https://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/attach/jpg.gif box3.jpg [[116.6 KB)
[/QUOTE]
Grand Central [[address-1941 Ferry Park) burned down in 1980. I believe apartments were above the bowling alley. The building may not have appeared like the typical bowling alley or have been distinctive in any other way.
Glad to see this thread resurrected again. Glad enough I just went thru 10 pages of it, just jogging memories that are getting fuzzier by the day. ;)