The popular winter sport of bowling
Published 12:26 pm Tuesday, January 1, 2019
- The bowling team sponsored by American Gas Machine Co. frequently competed against the Brite-Lite team. Both companies manufactured lighting systems. Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
By Linda Evenson
Photos courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
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- Albert Lea Bowling Center was above the Palm Garden dance hall at 218 S. Washington Ave. It opened in September 1939 with six new “20th Century Brunswick Streamlined Alleys.” Bowling was 15 cents per line. Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
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- The 1910 Brundin Packing Co. bowling team participated in the interstate bowling tournament in Minneapolis. Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
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- In 1927, John Briggs rolled a perfect score of 300. It was reported to be the first in Albert Lea. The feat was accomplished at the five-lane bowling alley at the recreation center in the basement of the Hyde Building at the northwest corner of South Newton Avenue and East William Street. Photo courtesy Freborn County Historical Museum
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- The Town Club Inc. bowling alley was at 110 Water St. in 1941. Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
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- Miss Johnson (no first name included) concentrates on her bowling in this 1941 photograph. Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
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- The bowling team sponsored by American Gas Machine Co. frequently competed against the Brite-Lite team. Both companies manufactured lighting systems. Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
In 1905, bowling was recognized as the national winter sport. That year, a new bowling alley opened in Albert Lea at 113 S. Newton Ave. Managed by Harry Gillrup, the bowling alley occupied the first floor and was equipped with three lanes. It was elaborately lighted by the American Gas Machine Co.’s system.
As early as 1885, the City Council approved a bond for Nobel & Wiegand’s bowling alley and granted a license to D. E. Dwyer. Ten years later, an area newspaper ran the ad, “Cultivate your muscle and get healthy by rolling tenpins at Selbig’s bowling alley.”
By 1908, five local bowling teams had formed: the Pioneers, Colts, Tigers, Cubs and Gophers. The following year, the Albert Lea Bowling Club converted a livery barn into a bowling alley. The Albert Lea Bowling Association was organized in 1910.
An interstate bowling tournament was in Minneapolis in February 1910. Two Albert Lea teams competed, the Brundin Packing Co. team, composed of George Brundin, Russell Edwards, John Larson, Frank Dills and Frank Bessenger; and the Hamm’s Preferred team of Tom Jones, West Beedle, Floyd Willard, Dr. Simonson and E. B. Frost. In 1916, Albert Lea hosted the Interstate Bowling Tournament. The event was so popular, the tournament was extended from three days to five days to accommodate all the participants.
