Here's How Potter Became A Kingpin Of Duckpin

The historic Potter Duckpin Bowling Alley is one of the village's most unique attractions, and is possibly the only remaining bowling alley of its type west of the Mississippi River.

The lanes were built in the 1920s during the height of duckpin bowling popularity, and were originally housed in the Potter Garage building that was next to the Lincoln Highway.

In the 1930s the lanes were moved to the second floor of the (then) hardware store where open bowling and league events were held until the 1950s. The last league to bowl there wrote the teams, member names, and the scores of the last games played. That information still remains on the chalkboard hanging in the bowling alley today, protected under glass.

The building that housed the bowling alley went through many changes of ownership until the Enevoldsen family purchased the building in 2000 to donate it to the Potter Historical Foundation so that it could be refurbished and preserved. It is Drew Enevoldsen who provided the early accounts of Potter duckpin in this story.

Volunteers took on major construction projects, including wall, ceiling, and molding repairs, as well as refinishing wood floors and alley lanes. Lots of volunteer hours, donations, grants and hard work went into restoring the uniquely historic building and its contents.

Jennifer Thomas, Potter-Dix schools art teacher and foundation member, has been instrumental in the historically accurate decoration of the duckpin bowling alley. She has also involved local children and young adults in the effort.

As part of her curriculum at the school, she teaches a community involvement class, where students learn to work for their community's betterment. Many of the projects that were completed were done so as class projects.

The work began on the bowling alley with the restoration of the broken stained glass window above the entrance door. After foundation members reconstructed the walls and ceiling, the students painted the interior and added a retro diamond design.

"It was a great art and math lesson," said Thomas, "lots of measuring, tricky angles, chalk lines and masking tape."

Later, matching retro stripes and the figure of a bowler were added. Next, they created some visual interest to the stairs that lead up to the bowling alley by painting historically accurate highlights on the risers of the stairs.

Recently, the foundation has renovated a large room adjacent to the bowling alley where tables and chairs are set up to allow for large gatherings. Brand new bathrooms and a smaller meeting room complete the available space. The addition of pinball machines, other games of skill and board games create an entertaining environment that everyone can enjoy.

The duck pin bowling alley is available to rent by the hour, half day (four hours) or a full eight hours with your choice of facilities: just the bowling alley, just the party room or both areas. It has been rented for birthday parties, graduation celebrations, team building events, relative visits, bridal and baby showers, and receptions of all types.

This coming holiday season, it will be open during the Christmas Celebration on Chestnut Street on Dec. 8.