PRINCETON — The premise of operating a four-lane, historic bowling alley in a small town may seem quaint.
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A woven Elvis Presley rug hangs on the wall as DeeDee Drew delivers a ball during the Wednesday night women's bowling league at Stars & Strikes in Princeton. The four-lane facility has been operating since 1943 and will be part of a vintage bowling center tour on April 23.
Brian Spaulding began operating Stars & Strikes in 2021 and hopes to one day buy the building and make further improvements. Spaulding grew up bowling and managing centers in the Milwaukee area.
The four lanes at Stars & Strikes can get crowded when the Wednesday night women's league begins throwing balls. There are no overhead monitors and automatic scoring machines. Instead, bowling scores are logged in with a pencil on a tear sheet.
Marabeth King, left, and Michelle Makurat, center, draw playing cards as part of a ladies night bowling activity at Stars & Strikes in Princeton. The four-lane center comes alive quickly when teams cram into the tight confines of the historic business.
The first sanctioned perfect game in the 80-year history of Stars & Strikes bowling alley is highlighted on a board at the business in Princeton. Improvements to the lanes over the past 18 months have helped raise scores.
In a building dating to the 1880s, Stars & Strikes in Princeton opened as a bowling center in 1943 in the city's downtown.
Space is at a premium, so bowling shoes share shelves behind the bar at Stars & Strikes in Princeton.
Tonisha Daniels, left, and Ella Kimball lace up their bowling shoes before their Wednesday night league at Stars & Strikes in Princeton. The bowling center has five leagues that run from September through April.
Photos: Stars & Strikes, a 4-lane bowling center in Princeton
Vintage Bowling
The four lanes at Stars & Strikes can get crowded when the Wednesday night women's league begins throwing balls. There are no overhead monitors and automatic scoring machines. Instead, bowling scores are logged in with a pencil on a tear sheet.
Vintage Bowling
Michelle Makurat celebrates a turn by a teammate during a Wednesday night women's league at Stars & Strikes in Princeton.
Vintage Bowling
Tonisha Daniels, left, and Ella Kimball lace up their bowling shoes before their Wednesday night league at Stars & Strikes in Princeton. The bowling center has five leagues that run from September through April.
Vintage Bowling
A woven Elvis Presley rug hangs on the wall as DeeDee Drew delivers a ball during the Wednesday night women's bowling league at Stars & Strikes in Princeton. The four-lane facility has been operating since 1943 and will be part of a vintage bowling center tour on April 23.
Vintage Bowling
Brian Spaulding began operating Stars & Strikes in 2021 and hopes to one day buy the building and make further improvements. Spaulding grew up bowling and managing centers in the Milwaukee area.
Vintage Bowling
In a building dating to the 1880s, Stars & Strikes in Princeton opened as a bowling center in 1943 in the city's downtown.
Vintage Bowling
Ladies league participants enter Stars & Strikes bowling alley for a night of competition in Princeton.
Vintage Bowling
A vintage bowling sign is amended to reflect the four lanes of Stars & Strikes in Princeton.
Vintage Bowling
Space is at a premium, so bowling shoes share shelves behind the bar at Stars & Strikes in Princeton.
Vintage Bowling
Marabeth King, left, and Michelle Makurat, center, draw playing cards as part of a ladies night bowling activity at Stars & Strikes in Princeton. The four-lane center comes alive quickly when teams cram into the tight confines of the historic business.
Vintage Bowling
The Wednesday night women's league at Stars & Strikes in Princeton draws bowlers from throughout Green Lake and Marquette counties.
Vintage Bowling
The first sanctioned perfect game in the 80-year history of Stars & Strikes bowling alley is highlighted on a board at the business in Princeton. Improvements to the lanes over the past 18 months have helped raise scores.
Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com.
