Telescope Lanes exterior Elko NV

TELESCOPE FAMILY FUN CENTER

Your one stop venue for family fun!

Telescope Lanes as original hotel 1908 in Elko NV

A piece of Elko History

In 1908 Telescope Lanes, referred to as Telescope Hotel was built as a Basque boarding house and restaurant for the local sheep herders. In the 1920s a two-lane bowling alley was added (located on what is considered the bar area now.) Thus continued to operate until 1965 when the Sampers (current owners at the time) redesigned and expanded the bowling alley to create an eight-lane center with an automatic pinsetter. This provided an opportunity to introduce bowling leagues.

The success of this business continued throughout the 1970s. However, during this time the restaurant and boarding houses became a hardship and the owners were forced to close them down. It wasn’t until the early 1990’s that the Samper family made the decision to retire and sell the business to Phill Kemmish. During this transition, Mr. Kemmish was able to upgrade the bowling facility by putting in synthetic lanes and electronic scoring. He was also able to refurbish the boarding rooms and have them operating again as short-term hotel rooms. Leagues continued and the business stayed afloat until 2007 when the property was sold to Jonathan and Audrey Karr.

Karr Family Owners of Telescope Lanes

Within the last eight years of the business, bowling leagues & cosmic bowling have maxed out the eight-lane facility many nights and all 18 rooms upstairs are currently occupied with long-term tenants. In 2009, the old restaurant was renovated and turned into the Blind Onion Pizzeria and in January 2013 an Ice Cream Creamery was added to make this business a family fun center for all. Telescope Lanes has a clean friendly atmosphere with up-to-date bowling lanes, pool tables, games, and a historical bar that can satisfy anyone’s thirst or hunger. So come and see the 2012 award-winning BPAA Proprietors of the Year!

The Karr family believes in building strong local roots. Dreez restaurant opened in May of 2017 in Elko, Nevada. The Klub Bar & Grill opened February 2022 in Spring Creek, Nevada, quickly followed by The Klub Ruby View in Elko, NV. These restaurants offer an American-style menu. The Telescope, Klub & Dreez Catering Crew offer full service catering for any size party. Interested in having us cater your next event? Submit this request form.