Bowlway (Gone)
Elgin, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Bowlway in Elgin was another classic neighborhood bowling alley with a great Art Deco look. The streamlined lettering across the front of the building gave it a style all its own, and from the photos it looks like the neon was in pretty good shape. Whether it was still lighting up the night or not, it was a sign worth slowing down to admire. 10-08

Bowlway opened in the early 1940s and remained a fixture on Elgin's east side for nearly 80 years. Inside were 16 lanes housed in a unique clear-span building with no support columns to block the view. Over the years it became a favorite spot for league bowlers, school events, and neighborhood gatherings before closing in 2020.

Unfortunately, the building didn't survive either. After the bowling alley closed, the interior was completely remodeled into an event center, and the distinctive Art Deco marquee was removed in the process.

UPDATE: The former Bowlway building has been repurposed as an event center. Sadly, the vintage Art Deco marquee no longer survives. 06-26

Western Bowl
Cincinnati, OH
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

Here's a classic bowling alley sign that's been turning heads along Cincinnati's west side since 1958. Western Bowlopened during bowling's postwar boom and has grown into the city's largest bowling center, with an impressive 68 lanes. Even if you aren't planning to knock down a few pins, the towering roadside marquee is reason enough to slow down.

For decades, Western Bowl was closely associated with the Hoinke family, who built the alley into one of the region's premier bowling destinations. It also became nationally known as the home of the Hoinke Classic, one of the country's largest amateur bowling tournaments. Thousands of bowlers made the trip to Cincinnati each year, helping cement Western Bowl's reputation far beyond Ohio.

The marquee has always been one of my favorite parts of the property. Its oversized arrow, stacked lettering, and bold mid-century design make it exactly the kind of sign you'd expect to find outside a bowling alley from the late 1950s. While the original sign structure still stands, it received a major update in recent years. The painted panels were refreshed, and the aging neon tubing was replaced with modern LED tubing that closely recreates the original look.

Step inside and you'll still find plenty of vintage charm. Much of the interior retains its retro feel, with colorful 1970s décor, wood-paneled counters, and other details that give the place a nostalgic atmosphere. It's fun seeing a bowling alley that has managed to hold onto so much of its personality while continuing to serve a new generation of bowlers.

UPDATE: Western Bowl remains open as Strike & Spare Western Bowl. Although the sign now uses LED tubing instead of neon, its original mid-century structure continues to welcome bowlers along Glenway Avenue. 06-26

Plaza Bowling
Celina OH
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

Bowling alleys have always had some of the best roadside signs, and Plaza Bowling Lanes is no exception. Rising above the shopping center in Celina, this classic marquee is topped with the familiar bowling pin and ball that instantly lets you know what's waiting inside. Even with much of its original neon gone, it's still a great reminder of the days when nearly every town had its own neighborhood bowling alley.

Plaza Bowling Lanes opened in 1960 as a 16-lane center and spent decades under the ownership of the Cisco family. Like many independent bowling alleys, it became much more than a place to knock down a few pins. It hosted league nights, birthday parties, family outings, and today serves as the home lanes for the Celina Bulldogs and Parkway Panthers high school bowling teams.

For a while, it looked like the story might be coming to an end. When the Cisco family announced their retirement in 2024, many locals feared another longtime business would disappear. Fortunately, two local families stepped in to purchase the alley, updating the scoring equipment before reopening it just a few weeks later. It's always nice to see a community rally around a place that's meant so much to so many people.

The sign has changed over the years, with much of its original neon tubing removed or no longer operating, but the vintage structure still stands out thanks to its classic pin-and-ball topper. It's the kind of sign that catches your eye from down the road and reminds you of a time when bowling alleys were fixtures in towns all across America.

UPDATE: Plaza Bowling Lanes remains open under local ownership, and its vintage roadside sign continues to welcome bowlers, even if much of the original neon is no longer in operation. 06-26

Golden Pin Bowling (Demolished)
Cleveland OH
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Here's another bowling alley that has rolled its final frame. Golden Pin Bowling was a longtime fixture on Cleveland's southeast side, serving neighborhood leagues, families, and generations of bowlers. Like so many independent bowling centers, it was more than just a place to bowl—it was a gathering place for the surrounding community.

For many years, the alley was operated by the Szyszkowski family and hosted countless local leagues and tournaments. It was also home to the Union of Poles Junior Bowling League, reflecting the area's strong Polish-American roots. In 1982, local bowler Jerry Gucanac made headlines here by rolling an impressive 803 series during league play.

The vintage roadside marquee was topped with an oversized bowling pin, making it instantly recognizable to anyone driving down Harvard Avenue. It was the kind of sign that reminded you how common neighborhood bowling alleys once were. Sadly, like the business itself, the sign is now gone. After the alley closed, much of the building was demolished. The entrance, snack bar, seating area, and bowling lanes were removed as the property was redeveloped. Today, only memories and old photographs remain of another neighborhood bowling alley that has faded into history.

UPDATE: Golden Pin Bowling has been demolished, the sign has been removed, and the property has been repurposed. 06-26

Rainbow Lanes (Rem.)
Warren, OH
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Back in the 1950s, it seemed like every town had its own bowling alley, and Rainbow Lanes was Warren's. Besides offering a place to knock down a few pins, it also featured a live-music lounge, making it a popular spot for an evening out. Like many neighborhood bowling centers, it became a gathering place for leagues, friends, and families for decades.

The roadside sign was every bit as memorable as the bowling alley itself. Its large, multi-paneled design advertised both the lanes and the cocktail lounge, making it hard to miss while driving down Parkman Road. Bowling alleys always seemed to have some of the best signs, and this was another great example from the era.

Over the years, Rainbow Lanes was renamed Freeway Lanes, but the business continued operating at the same location. Unfortunately, the vintage marquee didn't survive the transition into the modern era. By 2018, the original sign had been removed and replaced with a standard backlit sign, bringing an end to another classic piece of roadside Americana.

It's always a little disappointing to see distinctive signs replaced with something generic. Thankfully, old photos like this preserve a reminder of what travelers once saw as they pulled into the parking lot for a night of bowling.

UPDATE: The bowling alley remains open today as Freeway Lanes of Warren, but the original Rainbow Lanes sign has been removed. 06-26

Fountain Square Bowling
Indianapolis, IN
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

Tucked inside Indianapolis' historic Fountain Square neighborhood is one of the most unique bowling alleys you'll ever find. Fountain Square Bowling isn't a traditional ten-pin alley—it's duckpin bowling, a variation of the game that uses smaller balls without finger holes and shorter pins. In fact, it's the only place in Indiana where you can play authentic duckpin bowling.

The lanes are housed inside the beautifully restored Fountain Square Theatre Building, where bowling has been part of the attraction since 1928. The fourth-floor Action Duckpin Bowling features vintage lanes, manual scorekeeping, and classic equipment that recreates the experience of bowling nearly a century ago. Downstairs, Atomic Duckpin Bowling adds a fun mid-century vibe with neon, vintage décor, and an Atomic Age theme.

Outside, the vertical "DUCKPIN BOWLING" sign is hard to miss. It's one of those great signs that tells you exactly what's inside while adding a little extra character to the neighborhood. Combined with the theater's architecture, it's become one of the signature landmarks in Fountain Square.

Whether you're a serious bowler or just looking to try something different, this is one of those places that's worth seeking out. It's not every day you get the chance to roll a few frames at one of the last surviving duckpin bowling alleys in the country.

UPDATE: The duckpin bowling alleys remain open inside the restored Fountain Square Theatre Building, and the iconic vertical "DUCKPIN BOWLING" sign still welcomes visitors today. 06-26

Colonial Lanes (Demolished)
Canton, OH
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

If you grew up around Canton, there's a good chance you rolled a few games at Colonial Lanes. Opening in 1963, the bowling center took its name from nearby Interstate 77, which was still under construction at the time. For decades, it was a favorite spot for league bowlers, families, and anyone looking to spend an evening knocking down a few pins.

The roadside marquee was classic bowling alley design. A large "BOWL" topper grabbed your attention, while a pair of diamond-shaped panels advertised the snack bar and Starlite Lounge below. By the time this photo was taken, the original neon had already disappeared, but the sign still had plenty of mid-century character.

When Colonial Lanes closed in 2017, locals had one last chance to take home a piece of its history. The bowling lanes, lockers, ball returns, and other equipment were auctioned before demolition began later that year. Even some of the hardwood lanes found new life after being reclaimed for woodworking projects.

Today, there's little evidence a bowling alley ever stood here. Like many neighborhood lanes, Colonial Lanes eventually gave way to new retail development, leaving old photographs as one of the few reminders of a place where countless games were played over more than five decades.

UPDATE: Colonial Lanes closed in 2017, the building and sign were demolished, and the site has been redeveloped with new retail stores. 06-26