Billiard Hall Tokens

E

ernien

New member
I collect billiard tokens, primarily those issued by Michigan Billiard halls in the early through mid 1900's. Attached find a listing of my collection, as well as a link to images of them.

Most of these tokens indicate they are good for 5c in trade, a couple are good for 10c and one 25c. Can anyone tell me how much pool could typically be paid for with 5c in say 1930, or in 1950?

token grid image.jpg

(link to my flickr files will not post)


Thanks
Ernie
 
from what i understand thus far, rounding 1900 and up to the 19teens, the cost of billiards hovered at about 5cents per hour.

i actually have a large sofa-sized painted sign (a replica) from the 1890s that reads:
BILLIARDS 5c
ALWAYS OPEN



ps: have you seen the token collector website?
 
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btw, i noticed that one of the tokens is from Fremont MI

i've been to Fremont exactly one time.
we were canoeing the white river and i met a rock with my head.
the doctor at the Fremont emergency room was an excellent seamstress.
and, i had scheduled a huge job interview for three days later.
 
Thanks Mr. Bond! Hope the job interview went well, no doubt you made a big impression- ha. Below find a picture of the Fremont Michigan token. I am writing an article for the Michigan Token and Medal Society newsletter about my billiard hall tokens and appreciate your insight about the cost of billiards during the era. If you know where I can find an image of a sign similar to what you describe on the web which I could include in my article I would be grateful.
Hendrie Billiard Parlor- Fremont MI [Autosaved].jpg
 
Also, you ask whether I have seen the token collector website- are you referring to Richard's Token database? I do use that. If there is another, I would appreciate any info.

PS, below find an excerpt from my article (still work in process) as to what I have found out about the CE Hendrie, Fremont Billiard hall proprietor:

"I have located a Claude Hendrie, then 44 years of age who resided at 16 West Main Street in the 1930 Fremont Michigan census records in what was indicated as a Billiard Hall. Also living at the address were his wife, Louisa who was 34 years old , and their 4 sons and 2 daughters who ranged in age from 13 years to 3 month’s; as well as Alice Locke, a 74 year old widow who is listed as Claude’s mother, (or mother-in-law?). Ten years later, in 1940, the Fremont census records that Claude and his family had moved to 112 Oak Street, a residence no longer identified as a Billiard Hall. Perhaps he had moved on to a new occupation, or maybe living above a pool hall was a too noisy and the family moved to Oak Street for peace and quiet."​
 
I did get the job anyway, with a bandage on my forehead no less.
I think the story I told about a python landing in my boat impressed them.

I was doing a little more reading on the subject and I feel like I should clarify some details...

It seems that 5 cent billiards didnt last quite as long as I thought initially.
Because, there was an economic 'panic' from 1893 to about 1897.
This probably helped to raise the 5 cent rate in most cities, but not in all rural areas.

By 1900 it appears that some of the nicer halls were charging as much as 25-30 cents an hour, although a 5 cent hour was probably still available at the seedy joints.

@1915 With the onslaught of WWI came another jump in the cost of living. Pool prices hit 50c per hour in some places. (in the city) Unlikely that 5c pool still existed anywhere.

Prices dipped during the 1930's, as low as a dime in some places, but only for a short time; table games other than pool soon became very popular. (pinball etc)

I see you've already hit the 1940 census. Nice.
A lot of billiard halls went under as a result of the 'great' depression.
Perhaps Mr. Hendrie's hall was another victim.



Below is a pic of Madison Street in Chicago in about 1907
You'll notice the Brevoort Hotel on the left. It was owned by Hannah and Hogg, the liquor distillers, who were also owners of several ultra luxurious hotels and billiard rooms around Chicago.

On the right you'll see the Troy Billiard Hall advertising 30 cents an hour...
And down the street behind Troy you can see the sign for Mussey's, one of the most popular billiard and bowling halls in the world at the time.

1907 chicago.JPG
 
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