Tucson already had a bowling alley when the Speed-Way Bowling Lanes opened in 1942. Old Pueblo Lanes had been downtown since the early 1930’s. But, Speed-Way, later known as Keglers Lanes, at 1240 N. Stone Ave, was the first building in Arizona to be built as a bowling alley.
Construction began in 1941 and it opened in March 1942. The owner was Joe Cacioppo. Speed-Way had 16-lanes compared to the downtown alley which had only eight.
When it opened, Speed-Way boasted “electric eye tela-foul lines, tela-score machines, indirect lighting and acoustical-property blocks to muffle the sound of the spilling pins.” The facility also had 140 tiered seats for spectators.
Cacioppo said in an interview “In the early days we had a tough time getting help. We even used women as pin setters in the early years.” Automatic pinspotters were added in 1955.
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In 1971, Cacioppo sold the business. He said he left “with the distinction of being the oldest continuous bowling proprietor in the state.” He added, “I wish to thank every bowler — for being a bowler.”
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1988 file photo
Keglers Lanes closed
The lanes closed in 1988 and the Keglers Lanes sign was removed. The building became a Spahr’s Gym.
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