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Story: Arcade, computer and video games

Skittle alley, Russell, 1890s

Nineteenth-century Russell's skittle alley was a long rectangular building on York Street, the thin track on the left-hand side of the photograph (zoom out to see this). It was behind the Pacific Hotel and handily located to entice hotel patrons through its doors. The building was also used for community dances. 

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Russell Museum

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Arcade, computer and video games – Arcade games: 19th century to 1960s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/40474/skittle-alley-russell-1890s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 24 January 2013.