Pool sharks, players, and men who like to play in the dark
Monochrome memories — In 1970, photographer Helaine Garren turned her lens on Bensigner’s: a windowless, testosterone-fuelled pool hall in Chicago.
www.huckmag.com
Pretty interesting for those that like photograpby...and Bensinger's
- Thread starter jokrswylde
- Start date
www.huckmag.com
There are some old threads on here about that photo collection including posts by some of the subjects (Freddy the Beard).
I have long looked for photos of the old Bensingers (from the 30s) but haven't found any online.
I have long looked for photos of the old Bensingers (from the 30s) but haven't found any online.
The leaning guy is my favourite picture.
Wasn’t it on Randolph St., with several floor levels? (I read that when you got off the elevator at the carom floor, a lady attendant met you, took your coat, and then directed you to a table).
I hope this comment is appropriate. We lost Freddy years ago, and while I had only spoken with him briefly, I always thought he had a bunch of photos and history of pool.
I sure hope all of that wasn't lost.
While most pool players tend to "tilt" the story a little, and I am sure that Freddy did his share as well. He posted either here or on the 1pkt forum that nobody in Bugs family knew he was legend in banks and pool. I still find that hard to believe, but the take away from that story was unless his friends intervened anything that Bugs had pool related would be just tossed. I would hate to think that happened to all of Freddies stuff.
Ken
Yes, here's Freddy's description of its history from an old thread:
"It was in the loop at 29 W Randolph on the 6th floor until 1961. From there it moved to Clark and Diversey. In the 20s Bensinger had 9 rooms in the Loop with 30 or more tables. In the 40s on Randolph, they had a floor dedicated to pool, a floor for 3 cushion, a floor for snooker, a floor for bowling, and a floor for exhibitions. They reduced it to two floors up until 1961 (the second floor was for exhibitions). To me it was the all-time greatest room."
Where Was Bensinger's?
Can anyone tell me where Bensinger's, the famous Chicago poolroom, was located on Randolph Street? I've read three conflicting answers: 29 West Randolph (which would be between State and Dearborn), 29 East Randolph (which would be between State and Wabash, and between Dearborn and Clark (where...
forums.azbilliards.com
The Clark & Diversey location is what's captured in the 1970s photographs from above. My hope is good photos exist in some archived magazine of the old Bensingers.