Duckpins in Oregon in 1897!

This article from 2007 shows that duckpin bowling was probably common on the West Coast. In this case, the location is Portland, Oregon.

The Hendricks Building is on the National Historic Register. It is documented that the building opened in 1897 and housed a saloon, “bawdy rooms”, a card room, and…

…a duckpin bowling alley.

We already know there was a duckpin center in Cannon Beach, Oregon. So there was definitely an interest and participation. What is most interesting to me is the aspect of a duckpin bowling alley being here in 1897. When taken in context of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island having one in its architectural drawings of 1878, the history of the game needs to be rewritten.

East Oregonian

June 5, 2019 0

Duckpin Bowling is a Hit in Provo

In an area just southwest of Provo, Utah, called Spanish Forks is an entertainment establishment that opened in October, 2018. Doc Brundy’s hosts a top-tier restaurant, a video and pinball arcade, and a duckpin bowling center.

They have 6 regulation lanes using Qubica/AMF string machines. Most evenings, the lanes are full with a long waiting list. On weekends reservations are usually needed. Prices start at $3.50 per game.

Owners Derrick and Karen Brundage wanted to bring something unique to the Main Street area of Spanish Forks. They felt duckpin bowling would be a good fit.

Watch the YouTube video online at or checkout their website.

May 30, 2019 1

Its Official – Tacoma Loves Duckpin Bowling

Just over one year after its official opening, Ocean5 is proof that west coasters will take to duckpin bowling. The environmentally friendly, award winning facility opened in Gig Harbor, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. Highly successful, it can even be difficult to get into the venue on many weekends.

There are 16 bowling lanes in the public space, 8 of them are duckpin. They also have two private party areas; one with 4 duckpin lanes and the other with 2 tenpin lanes. As with the tenpin lanes, the duckpin lanes are regulation and use the Qubica/AMF string machines. The approaches are just a bit shorter than standard and do require bowling shoes. According to an interview the owner Troy Alstead, former chief operating officer at Starbucks, the duckpin lanes are very popular at all hours and evenings will usually require a reservation.

Ocean5 is 57,000 square feet and offers a large arcade, laser tag, and has a bar and a restaurant that has won numerous awards already for its food. The owners have applied for LEEDS certification for the building since it was designed and built to be environmentally friendly. It is estimated that the facility is so energy efficient that it saves enough energy to power 35 homes.

Alstead’s also behind an affiliated restaurant called Table 47, a 300-seat restaurant features upscale food in a casual environment and is in the same complex.

Get more information at https://www.o5social.com.

May 30, 2019 0

Catalina Island ducks? Why not?

The Three Palms Arcade on Catalina Island has four lanes of mini-duckpin bowling for their guests. String pinsetters with slightly thinner pins sit at the end of short lanes (about 30 feet) and formal approaches. From the photos its obvious bowling shoes are not required.

The arcade even offers leagues and from the schedule on their website, seem to do a decent little business with that. Next time you visit sunny California, head out to the island for a bit and wander by to take a gander at the lanes.

January 13, 2019 0