email: roadarch@outlook.com

California Mid-Century Modern Bowling Alleys (page 1)

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Covina Bowl
Covina, CA

2013:

2023:
The Covina Bowl was built in 1956. It was designed by Powers, Daly, and DeRosa with an Egyptian theme. The shape of the sign is meant resemble an Egyptian key. The sign originally had neon text reading "Covina" on top where the backlit abstracted "C" is. In 2017, the bowling alley closed. In 2021, demolition of the building began. The A-frame entrance was incorporated into the new condo building. The coffee shop and sign were also be saved. The sign was restored to its original look. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Cloverleaf Family Bowl
Fremont, CA
The Cloverleaf Family Bowl was built in 1959 and closed in 2020. The building is in danger of being demolished for a housing project. [map]

Parkway Bowl
El Cajon, CA
The Parkway Bowl was built around 1961. [map]

former Grand Central Bowl
Glendale, CA
The Grand Central Bowl was designed by William Rudolph and opened around 1959. It had 60 lanes. Since at least 2015, the building has housed offices for the Walt Disney Co. For more, see this website. [map]

Zodo's
Goleta, CA
Zodo's, a bowling alley and arcade, was built in 1964 as the Orchid Bowl. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

La Habra 300 Bowl
La Habra, CA
2008: 2013:
2014:
The La Habra 300 Bowl was built in 1960. The building features 32 lanes for bowling, a coffee shop, and the 13th Frame Lounge. The sign was repainted green and yellow about a month after the first photo above was taken. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Sands Bowl
Lancaster, CA

2013:
2019:
2023:
The Sands Bowl was built in 1958 as the Sands Bowl. The building was most likely designed by Powers, Daly, and DeRosa. There was originally a neon pole sign by the road. By 1982, it had become the Brunswick Sands Bowl. Around 2017, the exterior was repainted red, white and grey as the bowling alley was renovated for the Bowlero Lancaster. Inside, the original lockers, stonework, and plaster mural with Egyptian figures have been preserved. The mural was created by Milton Tuttle.

The neon sign inside is modern and based somewhat on the Bowlero logo which features a bowling ball with deer antlers. I don't know why the sign features a ram's head. The sign design was based on a photograph of the Jack & Jill Bowling Lanes sign in American Fork, UT. This sign was either previously located at the Pasadena, CA location or there were two signs. The Pasadena sign is gone. [map]