66 Bowl

Sheridan Lanes at night
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

Here's a shot of the Sheridan Lanes marquee at night. Sheridan Lanes has one of those classic bowling alley signs that immediately catches your eye, even when all of the neon isn't cooperating. It's a shame some of the tubing was dark when this photo was taken, but it's still a great look at one of Tulsa's longtime roadside landmarks. 08-17

I remember being excited the first time I saw this sign. So many classic bowling alley marquees have disappeared over the years that it's always a treat to find one still standing. Between the colorful neon, the oversized lettering, and the unmistakable mid-century design, this is exactly the kind of roadside sign that makes you hit the brakes for a closer look.

The bowling center opened in 1957 and became a familiar sight for generations of Tulsa bowlers. Over the years I've been fortunate enough to see the sign both during the day and after dark. Even with a few sections of neon missing here and there, it remains one of the best surviving bowling alley signs in Oklahoma.

UPDATE: Sheridan Lanes remains open today as AMF Sheridan Lanes. The bowling center continues to serve Tulsa bowlers while the historic sign remains one of the most recognizable bowling alley marquees in the city. 06-26

Gage Bowl
Topeka, KS
Photo courtesy Greg West

The marquee for Gage Bowl in Topeka still features neon in great working order. Gage Bowl is the kind of place that instantly catches the eye of anyone who appreciates classic bowling alley signs. With its bright neon and mid-century styling, it serves as a reminder of a time when bowling centers competed for attention with colorful roadside marquees.

Opened in 1960, Gage Bowl has been a fixture in Topeka for generations. While many bowling alleys have lost their original signs or disappeared altogether, this one has managed to keep its classic look intact. Seeing a sign like this still lit up and doing exactly what it was designed to do more than sixty years ago is becoming increasingly rare.

For fans of vintage roadside architecture and neon, bowling alleys have produced some of the most memorable signs around. Fortunately, Gage Bowl's marquee is still out there lighting up the Kansas night. Here's the website for the Gage. 10-05

UPDATE: Gage Bowl remains in business today and continues to serve bowlers in Topeka. Best of all, the classic neon marquee is still standing out front, helping preserve a piece of mid-century roadside character. 06-26