As Published in the Explore Claremore History by Christa Rice
April 16, 1957, the Rogers County News enthusiastically announced, “New Bowling Alley Planned For City”. The former Cadet Theatre building, recently purchased by Harold Wilson, has been leased to Art Stanislaus, Pryor, who will put a bowling alley in the location, Wilson told the Progress today. Wilson purchased the building several weeks ago from the Griffith Theatres and is presently remodeling the location. Stanislaus, operator of the new Sunset Bowling Lanes in Pryor already has the equipment on hand for the local installation, Wilson said, and he plans to open here as soon as the building is remodeled.”[i]
Using the former location of the old Cadet movie theater, it was also reported that “The old Cadet Theatre sign will soon read ‘Cadet Bowling,’ the sign was being repainted this morning.”[ii]. The new Cadet Bowl’s open house event was planned for September 12, 1957. “The Cadet Bowl will hold its official open house Thursday afternoon and evening, it was announced today by Doyle and Dorothy Stanislaus, owners of the firm.
The bowling alley has been in operation since the first of the week and the owners said that regular league play is expected to get underway here next week. The new bowling lanes feature semi-automatic pin spotters on each of the four lanes. The firm will be open afternoons and evenings each day in the week. Featured also are a concession counter and locker rentals.
The operators of the new business are also owners of the Sunset Bowl in Pryor. Both are natives of this part of Oklahoma. Stanislaus said today that persons or firms interested in sponsoring of teams could get further information from him at the lanes here the remainder of this week.”[iii]
More details were revealed as anticipation of the Cadet Bowl’s opening day increased. You are invited to the Cadet Bowl’s Grand Opening Thursday, September 12th. Open seven days a week afternoon and evenings. Locker Rental. Modern, 4 Lane Alley. Open Bowling. There will be open bowling the remainder of this week. Come in any time and try out our new alleys. Semi-Automatic Pin setters. Shoe Rental. League Bowling: League Bowling will start next week. You are invited to come in and get all of the information on league bowling. Team Sponsors: Teams for league bowling are now being formed. If you are interested in sponsoring a bowling team, please let us know and we will help you get set up as a sponsor. Lunch counter will be open during bowling hours. CADENT BOWL, Doyle and Dorothy Stanislaus. 418 W. Will Rogers. Phone 797. Claremore, Okla.” [iv]
With great enthusiasm, local businesses welcomed Doyle and Dorothy Stanislaus. “Welcome Neighbor! We welcome Doyle and Dorothy Stanislaus to Claremore and wish them the best of luck in their new business, the CADET BOWL. Wilson Hardware in Claremore since 1902. Harold J. Wilson. H. Jim Wilson.”[v]
The Cadet Bowl served the Claremore community and its kegling enthusiasts for many years. It was not until December 1961 that the Cadet Bowl, having outgrown its original downtown Claremore facility, moved to a more accommodating location. Grand Opening, Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Cadet Bowl, South of Claremore on Highway 66.”[vi]
[i] Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, April 16, 1957. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[ii] Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 8, 1957. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[iii] Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, September 10, 1957. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[iv] Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, September 11, 1957. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[v] Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, September 11, 1957. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[vi] Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, December 15, 1961. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
