If you take a drive down historic Route 20 through Madison, Ohio, you’ll pass a once-popular bowling alley where many locals would hang out from the 1960s through the early 2000s. As you cross over Hubbard Road heading east, you’ll soon see the unique m-type zigzag and cross-gabled roofs of the former North Ridge Lanes bowling alley staring at you from the bottom of a small hill to your left.

Early history

Construction on North Ridge Lanes started around 1960. It was built by the Stinics Construction Company, and was finally opened for business in 1961.

When the bowling alley was constructed, it was built with use as a bomb shelter in mind as we were still in the midst of the Cold War. Russia and the United States were both building atomic bombs, and many communities around the US had bomb shelters due to the possibility of an attack. The walls and roof of the bowling alley were constructed thick enough to protect hundreds of residents in the event that Russia had dropped any bombs on the area. With a space large enough to accommodate hundreds of residents, a large percentage of the town’s population at the time could fit into this one building.

The lanes were originally owned by Roy George, and managed by Lee Craxton through the mid-1980s. The alley contained 24 lanes, and over years had operated as a bowling alley, bar, arcade and even a party center. For many years, the bar inside the bowling alley, known as the Groggy Frog, was a popular spot to hang out during the 1970s and 80s. Two bartenders, Dottie Howard and Jimmy Joles, are remembered by many residents.

Roy sells the alley

In 1985, after 24 years of owning North Ridge Lanes, Roy George decided to sell the bowling alley to Ed Haynes and Ron Rogel. Ed and his wife, Laura Haynes bought out Ron, and continued to own it through 1988. For the three years they owned it, they hosted a teen night called the “teen hours” on Sundays, giving local teens a place to hang out with their friends.  

In 1988, the building was taken over by Chuck Orzekowski. Chuck operated the bowling alley for a short time, and had attempted an adults-only night, which according to locals did not go over as well as Laura and Ed’s teen nights. Only a few years later, in October 1991, James Carkhuff purchased the building from Chuck, and continued the operations of the facility as a bowling alley.

Fun times

The bowling alley was frequented over the years by younger generations enjoying nights of cosmic bowling, while older generations, if not taking part in bowling, would visit the bar to meet up with old friends, have a drink, and chat for a while. Over the years, many bowling leagues played these lanes throughout the weeks, while many other activities and events were held in both the bowling alley and later, the party center, which would be constructed during the 1990s. Many locals still look back on their memories of times spent here, some noting how fun the combination bowling/dance nights were.

Though the bowling alley saw most of its popularity during the 1960s through the early 1990s, James continued to successfully operate the business into the 2000s. In 1997, an addition was made to the building, which would bring a brand new party center, adding to the available space for birthday parties or other events. James had decided to name the new center “Josephine’s,” after his mother.

North Ridge Lanes closes

Carkhuff owned and operated North Ridge Lanes for years, until the flood of 2006 caused far too much damage to the building, leading to its permanent closure. The building sat vacant and unused for 11 years, until April 2017 when Carkhuff sold it to Clavin and Mary Brown. The 25,700 square foot space is now occupied by Diamond Door, who continues to operate their business out of the former bowling alley.

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