By Jorge Batlle
Skaneateles Village Historian
Bowling, also referred to at ten pins, goes back to ancient times. Evidence of such a game has been found in tombs back as far as 5000 BC.
The Romans had a similar game that eventually became the Italian Bocce, or outdoor or lawn bowling. In the fifteenth century the English roofed over the lawn bowling lanes making it an all weather sport. These lanes were often part of a tavern, guest house or large home.
The earliest reference, around the turn of the century, to bowling lanes was at 150 E. Genesee St. This large house owned by Theodore Specht known as “Hazelhurst.”
Today it is ‘The Athenaeum, a seniors living residence. With a large back yard that ran down to the lake, there was room for tennis courts, and in 1904 a fully covered outdoor bowling alley was constructed.
Specht often had parties, and probably used this unique structure on many occasions.
Historian Helen Ionta said they also had lawn bowling, although not verifiable.
The first public bowling facility in the village was in the former home of Judge Marvin located at 11-13 E. Genesee St. right in the center of the village. This home was built in 1857 for Judge Jewett who was also the first president (mayor) of the village.
The Masons purchased the home April 20, 1920 and spent over a year to renovate it for their use as a Temple. On the west side of the house is a 2-story addition with a basement. It has a separate entrance used by the caretaker. In the main part of the building is a stair case that leads down into the basement. This area is 20 feet by 90 feet with an 8 foot by 20 foot alcove area. ‘This room had 3 regulation size bowling alleys with all the modern equipment of the time,’ as mentioned in Historian Humphrey’s Journal. However the pins were still set by hand. In the 1950s the alleys were closed. This space was then used for storage and various other short lived occupancies. In 2000, the engineering and landscaping firm American Group 1, PC moved in. The original bowling alley wood strips and the plywood covered ball return gutters are still visible being used as the floor for the engineering company.
In October of 1950, Paul Zechman purchased the property that was once the Skaneateles Boat Company on Jordan Street. The one story building was of wood frame and concrete block approximately 52 feet wide and 110 feet deep. Six modern Brunswick alleys with automatic pinsetters were installed.
In the early 1950s automatic pinsetters were just coming into use. There was the AMF (American Machine and Foundry) “Pinspotter” manufactured in Westbury, N.Y. and the Brunswick pinsetter machine, replacing the human pin-boy. This historian was privileged to see and early Brunswick machine being tested for mass production at the Otis Elevator Company facility in Yonkers, NY. AMF only leased their machines while Brunswick only sold their machines. The AMF machine is still in production, sold by QubicaAMF Worldwide, based in Italy. The actual machines are now made in China. Brunswick machines are manufactured in Hungary, with their research and development facility in Michigan.
This Jordan Street facility offered lockers and shoe rentals. Shoes were sanitized by the “ultra ray” system using ultra violet light. It had a dairy and snack bar. The new Skaneateles Bowling Center was managed by Bill Austin, with Leo Heffernan in charge of the snack bar. Leagues were formed with sponsors for both men and women. Popular local Coach Art Hyatt, organized a school league with 60 eager to sign up. The Thursday Night’s Women’s Bowling League was honored for their volunteer work at the Bath, N.Y. Veteran’s Administration Center, lead by their president Mrs. Doris Caines.
Later in 1961 Zechman sold the Jordan Street location. A Grand Union supermarket was built on this site, and is now the location of the Byrne Dairy store. He moved the business along with the alleys, up on the west hill to the Cedar House at 813 West Genesee Street (Route 20) where he added six more lanes making a total of twelve. AMF pinspotters were installed and are still in use today.
In 1967 a young employee of Roy’s Red and White market (located on Jordan Street where Angyal’s Heavenly Hamburgers is now) bowled games of 233, 215, and 258 for a total of 706. This was the first 700 series in Skaneateles bowling history. He was on a league sponsored by the Red & White store. He received a $25 prize from the Cedar House and the American Bowling Congress gave him a “700 Club” patch for his bowling shirt. The Auburn Bowling Association gave him a year’s membership in the 700 Club of Auburn and a 700 Club bowling shirt.
In 1982 Gary Feldman purchased the Cedar House Lanes. He and his wife Linda and son Steve ran the business. Their goal was to make it family oriented where everyone was welcome. He had leagues for special needs children and help sponsor national women’s professional bowling. The name of Hill Top Restaurant was adopted in 1995. After 25 years of a seven-day-a week job, he wanted to spend more time with his family and do some traveling. He sold the business to Sean Mott in 2007. The restaurant and bowling businesses were combined in 2008. Twelve new modern surface lanes were built over the original wood alleys. There are five leagues associated with the lanes along with one for persons with special needs. The bowling alley is still a very popular family-related place today. The Hill Top Restaurant is a popular and busy place for the locals to gather and discuss all sorts of topics.
