Do you want to learn about the Carom Company and its long history? You’ve come to the right place! Find out more about our values, how our story began, and why we still strive to reconnect families worldwide with our games 130 years later.
130 Years of Quality
The Carrom Company has been manufacturing quality games for 130 years, reaching homes across the country. Our Ludington, Michigan manufacturing facility is in the heartland of America, where family means everything and quality time is number one. We make games so you can make memories. Find your favorite Classic Family Game and continue the great tradition.
The History of Carrom
1890’s
How It All Began
In the last quarter of the 19th century Henry Haskell, a Sunday School teacher, viewed with alarm the growing number of boys who loafed around pool rooms. (Ironically, the company would eventually manufacture pool tables.) Haskell had an inventive mind and he concentrated his thought on supplying a game which would appeal to these boys and supply wholesome enjoyment. Soon after, Haskell patented and introduced the U.S. Carrom game board. Produced at Ludington Novelty Works (Ludington, MI) of which he was part owner.
1900’s
The Merging of Companies
Ludington Novelty Works and Archarena Company of Peoria, IL., merge and become Carrom-Archarena Co. Production stays in Ludington. (1901) Gameboard display rack introduced. (c. 1903) Beautiful line of billiard and pool tables also manufactured along with many varieties of wood furniture.
1910’s
A New President of Carrom
J.S. Stearns, a wealthy industrialist, purchases an interest in the company and becomes president. Haskell was secretary. Name changed to Carrom Company. (1914)
1920’s
Surviving The Great Depression
The Carrom Company continued to grow and prosper until the late 1920’s when the Great Depression began. The company was kept alive only because of the determination of the Stearns’ interests to maintain as much employment as possible during a difficult time.
1930’s
“Carrom Boy”
“Carrom Boy” first appears in advertisements (1930). Carrom Baseball game board (style BB) introduced (1937). Lew Fonseca rules added in 1938. Highly collectible boards today. Carrom Company enters the field of institutional furniture manufacturing (c. 1937). This was a new field for Carrom and a lot of money and effort went into making the proper entrance. The strain proved too great for Carrom which was close to bankruptcy by the end of the 1930’s. Name changed to Carrom Industries (1939)
1940’s
The Death of Henry Haskell
Henry Haskell dies. (1940) Will Ross, Inc., of Milwaukee purchases Carrom Industries. It’s interest in Carrom lay in the hospital furniture field. (c. 1941) Nok-Hockey introduced. (c. 1942) During WWII, Carrom Industries made large folding tables to display maps for the military while in the field.
1950’s
Purchase by Shampaine Industries
Shampaine Industries of St. Louis, MO. buys Carrom Industries (1951). Institutional furniture makes up the largest part of the company’s volume.
1960’s
Direct Competition and Lawsuits
Three Carrom Industries employees break away and form Merdel Manufacturing (1960) which directly competes with Carrom Industries. Merdel uses one “R” on their Carom game boards. Both companies are in Ludington, MI. Lawsuits eventually follow. Plastic corner first used on game board by Merdel Manufacturing (1961). Invented by Robert Erickson. Affiliated Hospital Products, Inc., purchases Shampaine Industries. (c. 1967) Carrom Games Division moves their game production to Red Lion, PA. for a brief time. (c. 1968)
1970’s
Relocation
Carrom Games Division moves production to Sardis, MS. (1972). Merdel Manufacturing purchases remaining assets of now defunct Carrom Games Division and can use two “R”s in Carrom. All production is in Ludington. (c.1972)
1980’s
The Lightning Group
The Lightning Group (Duncannon, PA.) purchases Merdel Manufacturing. (1981)
1990’s
Moving Back to Ludington
Carrom Company purchases the Drueke Company and moves its manufacturing operation from Grand Rapids, MI., to Ludington. Drueke is well known for its quality chess, cribbage, backgammon and other board games. (1992) Name changes back to the Carrom Company. (1994) Carrom Company purchases remaining assets of bankrupt Recreational Products and moves production of their adult-size air powered hockey, foosball, and pool tables to Ludington. This creates the Carrom Sports division. (1996)
2010’s
Unplug your Kids: Connect the Family
In 2014 the Carrom Co. began its inaugural “Unplug your Kids: Connect the Family” initiative and it’s one we hope to carry on for years to come. We asked families across America to turn off their TVs, computers, phones and mobile devices and spend a few hours playing games around the kitchen table or in their family rooms. We hoped to start a movement that would encourage families to unplug every Sunday and spend time together laughing, playing games and just having fun. We believe there’s nothing more important than family time and we believe you want that, too, which is why you’ve decided to purchase a Carrom game.
Always Made With Quality
The Carrom Company has been manufacturing quality games for 130 years, reaching homes across the country. Our Ludington, Michigan manufacturing facility is in the heartland of America where family means everything and quality time is number one. We make games so you can make memories. Find your favorite Classic Family Game and continue the great tradition.
All of our products have been made in America with the most premium quality since we began manufacturing games 130 years ago. It’s our nature to uphold the highest standards in our products, ensuring that they will be around for generations to come.
Over a Century of Carrom
Take a trip down memory lane and explore retired Carrom Game Boards, some from a century ago. We’re very proud of our American-made history focused on quality and family. Over the years, we’ve placed countless games in the hands of happy families for their long-term enjoyment and satisfaction.
01
Ludington Combination
Manufactured by Ludington Novelty Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1896-1901
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Raised crokinole on one side. Dovetailing on all corners and metal straps on the carroms side.
02
Ludington Combination
Manufactured by Ludington Novelty Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1896-1901
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Carroms side has bumper strip and metal straps. Dovetailing on all corners. Checkerboard on reverse side. Early board in birds-eye maple.
03
Ludington Combination
Manufactured by Ludington Novelty Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1896-1901
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Raised crokinole side with blonde finish. Corners are dovetailed. Carroms on reverse side.
04
Ludington Combination
Manufactured by Ludington Novelty Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1896-1901
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Large, green checkerboard pattern on front. Carroms side has bumper strip. Corners are dovetailed.
05
Deluxe Combination “A”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1902-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Beautiful game board with elegant marquetry transfer work on both sides. The crokinole panel is genuine mahogany. Checkerboard pattern on the reverse. Ditch is lined with green felt.
06
Four-Surface-Combination “B”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1902-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Four-surface board with removable panel. Crokinole and checker game panel detachment permits two sets of players at the same time. This is an early edition in red and green.
07
Carrom Combination “C”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Board has raised crokinole on front with Spiders and Flies on the reverse. This early edition is red and green.
08
Flags of the Nations “D”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Flags decorate the crokinole side. Beautiful marquetry transfers and bright lithographs. Checkerboard on reverse.
09
Carrom Combination “E”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
An extremely popular game board. This is a rare early edition in red and green. Crokinole game on front, checker board on reverse.
10
Carrom Combination “F”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Raised crokinole panel with carroms on the reverse. Bumper strip on reverse. Red and black edition of the popular game board.
11
Carrom Combination “G”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901-1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Carroms on one side, checkers on the other. No crokinole on this board. This is a rare early edition in red and green.
12
Carrom Checkers “GP”
Manufactured by Carrom Industries, Inc., Ludington, MI.
Date: Mid 1940’s
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Spider and Flies on one side, checkers on reverse. Bright orange and black diagrams. Composition board center panel. Hardwood rim. A scarce board.
13
Crokinole “H”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901 – 1914
Size: 31″ diameter
Octoganal Crokinole board. Very early edition. Bright red and green diagrams on raised front. Checkerboard on reverse. A rare board. Oack finish on ditch and trim.
14
Crokinole “H”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1914 – 1936
Size: 29″ diameter
Octoganal Crokinole board. Colorful patterns. Bright checkerboard on reverse with walnut or cherry finish.
15
Crokinole “H”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901 – 1914
Size: 31″ diameter
Octoganal Crokinole board. Very early edition. Colorful red and green diagrams on raised front. Bright checkerboard on reverse. A rare board. Oak finish.
16
Crokinole “H”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901 – 1914
Size: 31″ diameter
Octoganal Crokinole board with green felt in ditch. Checkerboard on reverse. A rare board.
17
Baseball Combination “J”
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1908 – 1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
Known as the “Ideal Baseball Game Board”. Baseball on one side and carroms on reverse. A very scarce board.
18
Carrom Crokinole Combination
Manufactured by Carrom-Archarena Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1901 – 1914
Size: 28 ¾” diameter
This is a rare early edition in bright red and green pattern. The crokinole game is on a raised panel with caroms on reverse.
19
Crokinole Chinese Checkers “K”
Manufactured by Carrom Industries, Inc., Ludington, MI.
Date: 1939 – 1941
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Viking design on the crokinole side with Chinese checkers on reverse. A scarce board.
20
Carrom Checkers Crokinole “MWI”
Manufactured by Carrom Industries, Inc., Ludington, MI.
Date: 1939 – 1945
Size: 28 ½” diameter
This is a very unusual board with the checkers pattern superimposed over the crokinole pattern on one side and Chinese checkers on the reverse.
21
Carrom Backgammon “O”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: Late 1930’s
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Carrom/Checkers pattern on one side of the board. Backgammon pattern in red and black on the reverse. A scarce board.
22
Carrom Pleasure “P”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: Late 1930’s
Size: 24 ½” diameter
Spider and Flies game on the front, Fox and Geese game on reverse. Scarce board.
23
Carrom Viking “Q”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1934 – 1939
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Crokinole game on front, carroms on reverse.
24
Carrom/Tennis “T”
Manufactured by Carrom Industries, Inc. , Ludington, MI.
Date: 1940 – 1943
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Five-surface combination board. Crokinole on front, Spider and Flies on reverse. Two panels for checkers/Chinese checkers and Tennis. Very scarce board.
25
Lew Fonseca “LF” Baseball
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1938 – 1939
Size: 28 ⅜” diameter
Baseball board that honors Lew Fonseca, baseball star of the 1920’s and 30’s. Reverse side is blank. Baseball card was included with orgional packaging. Scarce board.
26
Lew Fonseca “LFK” Baseball
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1938 – 1939
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Baseball board that honors Lew Fonseca, baseball star of the 1920’s and 30’s. Chinese checkers on the reverse. Baseball card was included with orgional packaging. Very scarce board.
27
Baseball Crokinole “BB”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1938 – 1941
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Baseball on front, crokinole on reverse. Scarce board.
28
Baseball Football “SP”
Manufactured by Carrom Industries, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1939 – 1941
Size: 28 ½” diameter
Called the “Sport Board”. Baseball on the front. Football on the reverse. A very scarce board.
29
Carrom Cadet “X”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: Late 1930’s
Size: 24 ½” diameter
Spider and Flies game on front. Fox and Geese game on reverse. Bright red.
30
Carrom Playboy “Y” & “YP”
Manufactured by The Carrom Company, Ludington, MI.
Date: 1935 – 1939
Size: 24 ½” diameter
Spider and Flies game on front of board, checkerboard on reverse. Orange and black colors.
