The Oldest Bowling Alley In America Is Right Here In Milwaukee And It's Amazing
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E Jamar
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Bowling is the perfect event for any Friday night, and here in Milwaukee, we have the oldest sanctioned bowling alley in America. As this is Milwaukee, it’s also an awesome tavern! Grab a PBR, put on some bowling shoes, and experience the oldest bowling alley in the nation.
This bowling alley and tavern opened in 1908 by a man they deemed "Iron Mike" Skowronski, and the establishment was originally named Skowronski's. His son, Gene, and his wife, Marcy, took over the business when he passed away.
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In the 70s, a German neighbor deemed it "Holler House" due to all of the noise! The name stuck and has upheld the sentiment of "hollering" ever since.
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The interior of the place is nearly identical to the original design. The lanes in the bowling alley are made of real wood, and 'pin boys' reset all of the pins by hand.
When they went through their first thorough cleaning to prepare for the 100th anniversary in 2008, they even came across five 15-pound wooden bowling balls. This is truly an old fashioned bowling alley!
Holler House is definitely a unique spot with some unusual traditions. One is their collection of bras! That's right, women's brassieres. Once upon a time, owner Marcy was drinking with her friends and they started taking their clothes off. Since then, it's become a tradition for women to leave their bras behind, and the tavern has collected nearly a thousand bras, which women autograph and hang from the fixtures.
This is one bowling alley that keeps Milwaukee's history intact. With it's 1910s memorabilia spread throughout the bar, the Polish crests above the lanes to represent Milwaukee's Polish heritage, and more Schlitz beer than you can handle, you'll feel right at home in Brew City. Holler House is home to the nation's oldest sanctioned bowling alley, and we're so glad it's right here at home.
Holler House is located at 2042 W. Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee.
Holler House is located at 2042 W. Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee.
Have you bowled at Holler House? How was it? Share your experience in the comments!
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