A couple of items in the collection of the Fenton History Center remind us of a winter sport that was a very popular pursuit for many during the middle decades of the 20th century.

The items are two bowling pins that are the trophies awarded to winning teams of bowling leagues. In pictures of the aftermath of the Gokey fire in 1910, one can see a sign advertising the Floss Palace Bowling and Pool parlors. The address in the city directories at that time and later locates it on Cherry Street between Second and Third streets. A few other bowling alleys existed at that time but were often associated with pool and billiard halls. Through the 1920s and 1930s the Freebrook Bowling Alleys were located on Pine Street. Beginning in 1942, Pine Street Recreation was at 209 Pine St., Freebrook had moved to Spring Street, and the Playdium at 2229 Washington St. was added to the listings in the city directory. Also added was the Centennial Bowl-O-Drome in Falconer.

Beginning in late September 1925, there were 12 bowling leagues, each with six or eight teams, bowling at the Pine Street alleys. Many of the leagues had teams associated with an occupation, a company or a fraternal organization. This continued for many decades with new bowling alleys starting in Jamestown and the older ones fading away. There are still bowling leagues today, but not as many as the earlier decades.

The two bowling pin trophies in the collection are from the Viking League and the Viking Ladies League. In the 1945-46 season, Svea was the team that won in the Viking Ladies League. The members of that team were Agnes Ericson, Hildur Fernberg, Agnes Fagerstrom, Elsa Gustafson and Lucille Allberg as captain. Included with the donation were digital images of other bowling pin trophies from other years. Although there are not trophies from consecutive years it does not appear that one team was dominate within that league.

The other bowling pin trophy was for Team 3 of the Viking League at Pine Street in 1948-49. There is an image of a trophy for Team 12 of the Viking League at the Playdium for the 1948-49 season. Members of Team 3 were Art Carlson, Emil Carlson, Hilding Hanson, Gordon Jones Roger Seawall and Clare Olson as captain. The members of Team 12 were Oliver Scott, Clair Johnson, Par Lundgren, Harold Olson, Sven Anderson with Jack Lawson as captain. During and after World War II, bowling became popular and the additional bowling alleys listed in the city directories attest to this. Having at least 12 teams from the Vikings shows the increase in the interest in bowling after World War II.

Coverage of the local bowling scene in the local newspapers told the progress of each league and the high scores from each league daily. Often, teams went to competitions outside the area. Bowling was a great winter sport in which many could participate. Ski resorts and snowmobile trails were not available for activities at that time. Ice fishing, sledding and tobogganing were available, but bowling was more social and warmer.