Bowlarama

The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling

by Chris Nichols with Adriene Biondo

GLITZ. GLAMOUR. GUTTERBALLS. Step back in time to mid-century America, an era when optimism and energy fueled the nation. Americans were ready for a taste of leisure, and bowling was their drink of choice.

Bowling proprietors soon found themselves in an arms race of enchantment, fighting to have the most luxurious, the most exotic, and the most resplendent bowling center in town, packed with every amenity the post-war world had to offer. Every architect worth his drafting board took a run at creating a bowling center, dreaming up space age designs that beckoned the new suburbanites in their new neighborhoods.

Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling brings back—in living color—all the excitement of the time in its lavishly illustrated pages, packed with vintage photographs, exciting ephemera, and detailed hand-drawn architectural renderings that capture all the optimism, enthusiasm, and joie de vivre of the era.

208 pages
9"h x 9"w; 200+ images
hardcover; ISBN 978-1-62640-131-0; $40.00

[publication date: Tue 09/10/2024]

Chris Nichols is a longtime preservationist and senior editor at Los Angeles magazine. For many years he worked with the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, serving a term as chairman of the group. In addition to creating tours, exhibitions, and lectures about historic Los Angeles, Nichols has advocated for endangered buildings all over Southern California including the Cinerama Dome and the world’s oldest McDonald’s in Downey. His books include Walt Disney’s Disneyland for Taschen and The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister. He writes the Ask Chris column in Los Angeles magazine and has served on the board of Hollywood Heritage.

An award-winning historian and advocate, Adriene Biondo grew up in the lost world of twenty-four hour bowling alleys and coffee shops. As a former chair of the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Modern Committee and past president of the Museum of Neon Art, there’s never a moment when she isn’t working to preserve the magic of mid-century buildings and neon signs. She has initiated nominations for many key landmarks including the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, and Johnie’s Broiler in Downey. Adriene has written four books with John Eng, and is a feature writer and photographer for CA-Modern architecture magazine.