Billiards was big in Chambersburg in the 20th century

Most of you at one time or another may have played a game of pool, or just simply watched the players having an enjoyable time at the sport and demonstrating their skills and accuracy with each stroke of the pool cue.

Billiards were first played at Philadelphia in the late 1700s. The terminology “pool” came about when owners of establishments with billiard tables had patrons gathering to bet on a horse race. When the patrons had pooled their money and were waiting for the results of the race, they occupied their time playing billiards.

It was by the mid 1850s that there were exclusive men's clubs purchasing billiard tables for the members, while saloons and taverns were adding the pool tables for their patrons.

 It wasn't unusual to see tournaments and exhibition matches being held in the various organizations, saloons, and taverns that would attract a lot of people watching the skilled players. One of the early noted pool players of the day was Michael Phelan from New York, as he was considered the father of American billiards.

This gentleman hosted championships and is credited with writing the first American book on billiards. Michael also went on to manufacture billiard tables.

Everyone that has played pool is familiar with the famous Brunswick pool table. Did you know that the business of Brunswick and Balke from Chicago, Illinois, was founded by John M. Brunswick on September 15th, 1845?

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Mr. Brunswick's main interest when he went into business was to build carriages, but upon opening up his machine shop he had a deep interest in billiards and felt that making the billiard tables would be more profitable. Within a short time Brunswick became the largest manufacturer of billiard tables.

The Brunswick table always had the distinction of being a high quality piece of workmanship with the exotic woods and of solid construction to hold the heavy pieces of slate.

Chambersburg was just like any other growing  town or city as it had its share of billiard rooms. Some of the names of the establishments and locations of the past are as follows:

• Levi Brandt had a small billiard room at 65 East Market Street (now Lincoln Way).
• William T Edmonson had a small billiard room in the Chambersburg Trust Company building.
• William Hull offered billiards and a large selection of cigars at 27 North Main Street. 
• The three Koon brothers had a thriving business as they had billiard tables and they manufactured and sold a large selection of cigars.
• John Rhodenhaver and his brother had a busy billiard hall at 183 East Market Street.
• John G. Wingert operated a small billiard parlor and sold cigars, tobacco, and candy. He was located at 90 West Market Street near the Western Maryland railroad.
• Hotel Washington located at the Southeast corner of East Market and South Second Streets offered five billiard tables and carried a large selection of cigars.

Last but not least was the Rhodes Casino and Billiards Parlor owned by Frank D. Rhodes which was located on the northwestern area of Memorial Square and was considered to be the largest area for billiards and bowling in town.

The size of the area was 32 feet wide by 110 feet long. The parlor consisted of five Brunswick billiard tables and two bowling alleys and offered a large selection of cigars, tobacco, pipes, and candy, any of which could be purchased in bulk or in packages.

At one time Mr. Rhodes had the only bowling alley in town. An added feature at the casino was, during the baseball season Mr. Rhodes posted all the scores of the American, National, and Tri State baseball leagues. The Rhodes Casino also employed Frank's younger brother John M. Rhodes and his friend C.W. Wickle. This establishment was always jumping, as it was the fun place to be.

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Some of the pocket billiard games are eight ball, which is probably the most frequently played, and  nine ball, straight, bank, and one pocket. Some notable pool players of the past are Willie Mosconie, Rudolf Wanderone ( Minnesota Fats), Irving Crane, Ralph Greenleaf, and Willie Hoppe.

In time all the above mentioned billiard parlors would disappear, making way for the next generation to open their business so that the men and women of all ages could enjoy the game of billiards.

M.L. “Mike” Marotte III is an author and historian who writes about Franklin County. read more from him at www.vintagefranklincountypa.com.