Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.
INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's. Second installment:
CROTON MEMORIES: STARLIGHT LANES with special thanks to THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
May 6, 1984 marked the end of an era in Croton. That was when Starlight Lanes closed. The culprit, according to the Gannett newspaper of the day: escalating costs—especially fuel and taxes. The paper also reported:
--“I’ll cry believe me” said Argia Totilo, a Charger team bowler and treasurer for the mixed league. Mrs. Totillo, a Croton resident, is a 25 year Starlight veteran.
--Thursday Night Live, a men’s team, came in at 8 pm. Mike Gardiner, an Ossining resident and member of Jerry Quinn’s Painters was on hand. “I wish it could stay,” he said, citing its size – 40 lanes – and its convenience.
Opened in July of 1959, bowlers reveled in its “Country Club” features: air-conditioned comfort, lauded its automatic pin-setters, soda fountain, locker rooms, Game Room and enclosed Bar and Cocktail Lounge. The cost back then: $736,000.
Now the site of many smaller stores in what is known as the Shoprite Shopping Center, Starlight Lanes remains a quintessential part of the village’s history.
To see some photos, click the link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157627493637944/
Stay tuned for more Croton Memories.
RELATED: THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN, parts 1 & 2
http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-more-on-starlight.html
Another wonderful article from Everything Croton. Thank you.
ReplyDelete$736,000 back in 1959. When I hear residents cry these days about how Croton will get a movie theater or a new bowling alley if only we change the Harmon zoning, I just smile. They don't have a clue what it took then, and what it takes now in terms of money.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, thank you again for a wonderful memory. You guys truly are Everything Croton in every way.
So many happy memories at that place. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the next installment.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Your point is so well taken John. Alas, some people "bought into it", the re-zoning that is.
ReplyDeleteThat architecture is so 1950's. Love it!
ReplyDeleteGee. Done in by taxes. Even back then.
ReplyDeleteMy family and friends have so many terrific memories of Starlight Lanes! All of us bowled leagues their. I had moved away in 1978, when I heard about it closing I was surprised. GREAT MEMORIES, I'll never forget it.
ReplyDeleteI hung out there as a kid in the early 60s as my parents bowled I have a lot of fond memories of that place
ReplyDelete