Herdts Token
North Carolina Coin Collector Pockets Piece of West Bend History
Longtime coin collector Dennis Nocks struck gold—both financially and historically—when a bid on an online estate auction sale lot led to a delightful connection to West Bend history.
For Dennis Nocks, a longtime coin collector, the thrill of the hunt is part of the appeal.
Nocks, who grew up in Chicagoland but now lives in North Carolina, recently had a hunt pay off in a big way when he took a chance on a blurry photo posted on an online estate auction website.
“I’ve been collecting coins for years,” says Nocks, who first got into the hobby thanks to his father. “Every once in a while, I’ll bid on a lot of coins in an estate sale. It’s always a bit of a gamble because the pictures usually show just a pile or a box of coins. You really don’t know what you’re getting.”
This time, he uncovered not just rare coins, but an unexpected connection to West Bend’s past.
A piece of West Bend history
When his lot arrived, Nocks found about 250 coins—far more than he anticipated—including 30 lucrative silver pieces that more than paid for his investment. But beyond the coins and their value, one other item caught his attention: a 5-cent brass or copper drink token stamped with “Herdt’s Tavern, West Bend.”
Curious about the token’s origin, Nocks reached out to the City of West Bend through Facebook to see if anyone knew more about the mystery piece. The inquiry ultimately landed with Library Associate John Degnitz, who dug into local archives and uncovered a bit of information on the tavern.
Here’s what we know about Herdt’s Tavern and Bowling Alleys
Herdt’s Tavern and Bowling Alleys was a popular establishment in West Bend from at least the mid-1930s through the 1940s. It was located at 504 N. Main Street in what is now The District apartment buildings. Word is, the bowling alleys are still in existence in the building.
In its heyday, Herdt’s Tavern was a favorite stop for locals to visit with friends, enjoy good food and drink, and participate in a bit of fun on one of the eight polished bowling lanes. The establishment was originally owned by Mike Gonring, and then, in 1937, John W. Herdt and his wife “reopened” it after they returned from their summer home at Big Cedar Lake. The tavern had a full menu (they were apparently known for their hot cured ham sandwiches) and served bottled beer, mixed drinks, and Lithia on tap. Local school-aged kids could earn a bit of spending money working as pin setters for the bowling alleys.
Time to explore West Bend?
The discovery pleased Nocks, who has a longstanding connection to Wisconsin. Having grown up near the Illinois-Wisconsin border, Nocks visited Wisconsin often during his youth. His wife Beth also hails from West Allis, and the couple still travels to Wisconsin regularly to see family—and, of course, to catch a Green Bay Packers game whenever they can.
With this newfound connection, Nocks and his wife might just add West Bend to their future travel plans. For a man who finds stories in coins, a token from a long-gone local tavern has become a delightful link to the past—and that may just be reason enough to explore the City further.
Visit us!
Herdt’s Tavern and Bowling Alleys no longer exists but there’s still plenty to do in West Bend, including bowling. King Pin Bowl and Ale House, at 1022 S. Main Street, is now the place to hit the lanes. King Pin features open and league bowling, as well as a full food menu and bar.