The following is a compiled list of all the known Pool and Billiard Rooms as listed in the Canton City Directories from 1889 – 2006. In the earlier directories the listing for “Pool and Billiard Rooms” may also say “See also Saloons”. Saloons and taverns, like today, may or may not have had pool tables and I have omitted them from this list because of that and the fact there were just as many if not more saloons and taverns as today. You could bet that of the many saloons and taverns there were some that had them. Also some hotels were listed as billiard rooms simply because they had billiard rooms as an amenity to staying. Massillon and the other surrounding communities were not researched. The businesses listed are those that had or were designated as “Billiard Rooms” or “Pool Rooms”.
Post cards in the early 1900’s had a bit of artistic licensing so their accuracy may be in doubt and are not to be taken as 100% factual. Such is “Fat’s Pool Room” that was supposed to be located in downtown Canton on East Tuscarawas. There is no listing in the Canton City directories under that name but there is a “Fisher” listed as a proprietor of such a business in that vicinity. The postcard shows the “W.E. Fisher” and “Pool” at the entrance of a business just under and to the right of the “Fat’s” sign. I don’t know if this was his nickname or just artistic license.
This is an image of East Tuscarawas Street from Walnut Avenue in Canton, Ohio in the early 1900’s. Notably is a great sign for Fat’s Pool Room. Also seen are W. E. Fisher, Bittenmaier Sign Co., Walker Meat Market, Barber Shop, an RCA Victor Sign, H. W. Miller Hardware. Published by Americhrome (No. M-2681).
The City Directories for Canton list the following Billiard parlors on Tuscarawas:
| List of Billiard Parlors on Tuscarawas Street |
||
|---|---|---|
1904 – 1905 |
1907 – 1908 |
1910 – 1911 |
| 1905 – 1906 W. E. Fisher 235 E. Tusc. Anthony Charles 414 E. Tusc. James Foradas 432 E. Tusc. |
1908 – 1909 W. E. Fisher 235 E. Tusc. Frank Hufler & Son 414 E. Tusc. Rameh Sliman 522 E. Tusc. |
1912 H. H. Hill 235 E. Tusc. Palace Pool & Billiard Parlor 306 E. Tusc. M. E. Lehman 310 E. Tusc. Peter Phillips 432 E. Tusc. Rameh Sliman 522 E. Tusc. Edward Hershell Jr. 1101 E. Tusc. |
| 1906 – 1907 W. E. Fisher 235 E. Tusc. Anthony Charles 414 E. Tusc. Niarchos & Co. 432 E. Tusc. |
1909 – 1910 W. E. Fisher 235 E. Tusc. Gust Tantar 414 E. Tusc. Peter Phillips 432 E. Tusc. Rameh Sliman 522 E. Tusc. G. W. Schlott 607 E. Tusc. Laigle & Marti 1101 E. Tusc. |
1913 The Barnett Hotel Tusc/Cherry Ave H. H. Hill 235 E. Tusc. M.E. Lehman 310 E. Tusc. Sabb Bros. 432 E. Tusc. |
The following is an all-inclusive list of the many billiard parlors players prepared for GCABA. His list can be viewed with the following link: