Palace Bowl (Demolished)
Cicero, IL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The modest Palace Bowl sign sat beneath a building with a much grander past. Opened in 1927 as the Palace Theatre, the French Renaissance-style landmark became a two-story bowling alley in 1952. 04-01

The exterior appeared in Uncle Buck and Greedy, adding movie history to its years as a neighborhood bowling stop. The original theater façade remained the real architectural attraction.

UPDATE: The front of this bowling alley was used in the movie Uncle Buck with John Candy. The movie showed the front of the place when Candy was headed to bowl....although the inside as I recall wasn't actually used. Many thanks to Richard Falk for update. 09-05

UPDATE: Here's an update on the status of the Palace Bowl in Cicero, IL. Sadly, the city of Cicero, IL bought the entire building for 1.5 million and demolished it in the Summer of 2005. As of now, its unoccupied land. Many thanks to Doug Harland for update. 12-06

UPDATE: Palace Bowl closed in 2004 and was demolished in 2005. The sign was removed, and the site is now a commercial parking lot. 06-26

Crestwood Bowl
St. Louis, MO
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Crestwood Bowl marquee is the kind of sign that makes a Route 66 drive worthwhile. A sweeping arrow, bright green bowling ball and oversized pin give it plenty of roadside personality.

Opened in 1958 by professional bowlers Dick Weber, Pat Patterson and Rich Volling, the 24-lane center attracted serious players and families alike. For photographers, the colorful sign supplied another reason to stop.

UPDATE: The Crestwood Bowl sign dates back to 1958. Unfortuntely, the neon was taken off the sign in 2009 however the sign remains lit with a spotlight. Many thanks to Chet Wilson for update. 01-11

UPDATE: Crestwood Bowl remains open and continues to welcome bowlers more than six decades after opening. Better yet, the beautifully restored neon marquee still lights up historic Route 66, making it well worth stopping by after dark. 06-26

Town Hall Bowl
Cicero, IL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The vintage marquee first caught my attention at Town Hall Bowl in Cicero. Opened in 1964, the 28-lane center offered bowling, a lounge, pro shop and an upstairs banquet hall. 04-01

After years of decline, the building sat abandoned and deteriorating. A new owner purchased it in 2025 and documented the restoration online, attracting an audience before the lanes reopened.

Renovations brought updated bowling equipment, a refreshed bar, arcade and kitchen, while the familiar marquee stayed outside.

UPDATE: Town Hall reopened in September 2025. The restored center and surviving sign gave this neighborhood bowling landmark another chance. 06-26

Starlite Lanes (Gone)
Grand Haven MI
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Decorative starfish gave Starlite Lanes in Grand Haven an unusual exterior. Paired with its vintage marquee, they made this more memorable than an ordinary bowling-alley box. 04-01

Opened in 1960 on South Beacon Boulevard, the 30-lane center replaced a smaller downtown operation. The Driftwood Inn restaurant offered another reason to visit after the final frame.

UPDATE: Starlite closed after nearly six decades, and the building was remodeled for commercial use. The marquee and exterior starfish disappeared during the conversion. 06-26

Star Lanes (Rem.)
Sandusky, OH
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

Sometimes it's the little details that catch your eye. In this case, it's the vintage bowling lamp from Star Lanes, a reminder that even the smallest pieces of an old bowling alley can have plenty of character. The 24-lane center has been welcoming bowlers in Sandusky since 1963. 04-01

Over the years, Star Lanes has grown into a full-service entertainment center with a pro shop, arcade, restaurant, cocktail lounge, and league bowling. It also continues to host youth programs, tournaments, and high school bowling, carrying on a tradition that stretches back more than 60 years.

While the bowling alley has been updated over time, touches like this lamp offer a glimpse into its earlier days. Unfortunately, it's unclear how many of the original interior fixtures have survived the various renovations, and the vintage roadside sign has long since given way to more modern signage.

UPDATE: Star Lanes remains open in Sandusky as part of the Twin Star Centers family. The original roadside sign has been replaced with modern signage. 06-26

Northgate Lanes (Demolished)
Cayahoga Falls, OH
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

The vertical Northgate Lanes sign rose above the State Road Shopping Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Protective wire mesh helped keep birds away from its neon—an unusual detail worth noticing. 04-01

The bowling alley shared the busy plaza with stores including Montgomery Ward, JCPenney and Kresge’s. As newer centers drew shoppers elsewhere, the property declined.

The city acquired the plaza in 2007 for redevelopment, ending its run as a familiar neighborhood shopping and recreation stop.

UPDATE: Northgate and the shopping center were demolished in 2009. Portage Crossing replaced them, and the tall bowling sign disappeared with the old plaza. 06-26

20th Century Lanes
Oak Harbor, OH
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

The 20th Century Lanes sign in Oak Harbor has always reminded me of an old automobile dealership. Its streamlined shape is an unusual advertisement for a small-town bowling alley. 04-01

Opened in 1959, the six-lane center offers an intimate alternative to sprawling bowling complexes. Wooden lanes and vintage-style pinsetters add to its earlier atmosphere.

The sign’s origins remain uncertain, despite its appearance suggesting a possible previous life elsewhere. New operators took over in 2023 to keep the games going.

UPDATE: The alley remains open, with its distinctive roadside sign still standing. 06-26