Gratiot Lanes - Alma MI

Address: 7900 N Alger Rd
City: Alma
State: MI
Zip: 48801
County: Gratiot
Number of visits to this page: 1314
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Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

The Gratiot Lanes structure is still standing as of 2023 as the photos below indicate. It sits mostly empty for now. Apparently a bike shop is/was using part of it so I used that for the address.

From goodspeedgratiotcountyhistorical.blog

In the spring of 1962, two new bowling alleys were among the first places to be built at the intersection of Alger Road and M-46. This new location, a product of the changes that brought the new US-27 Highway to Gratiot County, first held the 300 Bowl.

The 300 Bowl broke ground on April 26, 1962, and planned to have its alley up and operational by late July. Paul Cameron, the owner of the 300, said the new alley had 34 lanes and would be located on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Strahan Construction Company built the building, measuring 140×160 feet on 7 acres, with five features: a meeting room, tap room, snack bar, pro shop, and playroom for children. This bowling alley also featured Brunswick pinsetters and products. The cost for the 300 would be $600,000, and the lanes turned out to be the longest ever produced by Unit Structures, Incorporated of Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The lanes were so long that a special permit had to be obtained from the Highway Division to deliver them to Alma.

It took 8,000 nails to put each lane together, and each lane bed consisted of 3,200 linear feet of select Pine and Maple, fit tongue and groove, and nailed on each end. The individual lanes sat on a 2×4, 2×10 framework. Each end also had Maple to handle the ball’s impact and the pins. Pine wood with open grain made up the lanes’ middle and held each ball’s spin. Brunswick crews put together all of the lumber.

On September 1, 1962, the 300 Bowl opened. Manager Don Hall and well know bowlers Larry Graham and Rex Nelson also were present. A little over a week later, the action officially started when Alma Products and Alma Businessmen League opened league play. On that night at 7:00 pm, everyone in the alley stopped and stood for the National Anthem. A row of 24 men then threw their balls down their alley to initiate the 300 Bowl.

The public officially used the 300 on October 19, 1962. The alley opened at 10:00 am and remained open until the last person left that night.

However, another bowling alley soon opened across the intersection in the Pine River Plaza on the southeast side. Kenneth R. Luneack announced in April 1962 that he planned to open a 16-lane bowling alley, Gratiot Lanes, which he did on September 13, 1962. Luneack also owned Riviera Lanes on Michigan Avenue in St. Louis.

At Gratiot Lanes, Luneack promoted using AMF lanes, equipment, and sales. He was also the first to offer the AMF Spare maker in his alley. When Gratiot Lanes opened on September 13, 1962, it offered the public three days of open bowling. About two weeks later, Gratiot Lanes officially opened, and Margarette Mettert, secretary of Central Michigan Women’s Bowling Association, cut the ribbon. The “Assorted 16” women’s league was the first league to use the alley.

Gratiot Lanes entered the news in January 1963, when Mercer Cook threw the first 300 game. On that day, everyone in the alley stopped to watch Cook as he moved frame by frame toward finishing his game on his way to a perfect 300. As a result, owner Kenneth Luneack awarded Cook $100 and 100 free games. Cook’s feat was said to be only the second recorded 300 game bowled on an area alley at that time!

As time passed, Alma’s 300 Bowl and Gratiot Lanes were home to many young and old bowlers who participated in league play or just went out for recreation at the alleys.

Copyright 2023 James M Goodspeed

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 Photos:14
Gratiot Lanes - Old Photo
Old Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Feb 11 2023 Photo
Feb 11 2023 Photo
Gratiot Lanes - Apr 1967 Damage
Apr 1967 Damage
Gratiot Lanes - Dec 1968 Article
Dec 1968 Article
Gratiot Lanes - Dec 1968 Liquor License
Dec 1968 Liquor License
Gratiot Lanes - Jan 1963 Column
Jan 1963 Column
Gratiot Lanes - Oct 1964 List Of Lanes
Oct 1964 List Of Lanes
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