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Bowling Alleys Pacific Northwest

PNW Ten Pin Alleys | Bowling Alleys | PNW Main

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Canby Bowl (Gone)
Canby, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Bowling alleys once had some of the best signs on the road, and Canby Bowl was no exception. A glowing neon marquee, complete with a giant bowling pin, welcomed generations of bowlers and let everyone driving through town know exactly where the action was. 03-06

UPDATE: Canby Lanes shut down sometime in the past decade. An O'Reilly Auto Parts now occupies the site. 04-17

There was a time when every community seemed to have a neighborhood bowling alley, and signs like this were as much a part of the experience as rented shoes and the sound of crashing pins. Today, surviving neon bowling signs are becoming increasingly rare, making photos like this an important reminder of an era when a night at the lanes was one of America's favorite pastimes.

UPDATE: Canby Bowl has since been demolished, and its distinctive neon marquee and giant bowling pin no longer survive. 07-26

 

 

Golden Lanes (Gone)
Goldendale, WA
Photo courtesy Ben Scribner

Only in small-town America could you knock down a few pins and do a load of laundry under the same roof. Golden Lanes in Goldendale offered exactly that, complete with the wonderfully named "Bowl Laundry." It's the kind of combination that probably made perfect sense to the locals but catches the eye of anyone passing through today. 04-06

The roadside sign and giant bowling pin made it easy to spot from the street, inviting travelers to stop for a game or spend an evening with friends. Bowling alleys like this were once the social centers of countless small towns, where league nights, birthday parties, and weekend gatherings brought the community together. The attached laundromat only added to its personality, making Golden Lanes one of those places that could only exist in a town where everyone seemed to know everyone else.

 

Golden Lanes
Goldendale, WA
Photo courtesy Ben Scribner

Today, vintage bowling alleys are disappearing along with their colorful signs, making photos like this an important reminder of a time when roadside businesses weren't afraid to show a little character. Whether you came to bowl, wash a few loads of clothes, or simply admire the quirky combination, Golden Lanes was the kind of place that made a road trip a little more interesting.

UPDATE: Here's another shot of the Golden Lanes in Goldendale. The place has been going through some remodeling and painting. Many thanks to Ben Scribner for photo update. 11-08

UPDATE: The Golden Lanes is now gone. The place is currently being occupied by a Bible Baptist Church. 04-17

UPDATE: Golden Lanes has since closed, and the bowling alley, Bowl Laundry, and their distinctive roadside signs no longer survive. 07-26

 

 

Caveman Bowl
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Driving through Grants Pass, it's hard to miss Caveman Bowl. The vintage roadside marquee has been welcoming bowlers for decades and fits right in with the city's famous caveman theme. It's the kind of sign that reminds you when bowling alleys proudly advertised themselves with bold lettering instead of digital displays. 12-08

Like so many neighborhood bowling centers, Caveman Bowl has been a gathering place for generations. League nights, birthday parties, school fundraisers, and family outings have all played out beneath its familiar sign. Step inside and you'll still find the atmosphere that made local bowling alleys such an important part of small-town America.

The "Caveman" name isn't just a clever marketing idea. It reflects Grants Pass' long association with the nearby Oregon Caves and the colorful Cavemen boosters who helped put the town on the map decades ago. It's a local tradition that gives the bowling alley a personality all its own.

 

Caveman Bowl
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Unlike many vintage bowling centers that have disappeared over the years, Caveman Bowl continues to roll along. It remains a popular stop for local bowlers, hosts regional and professional tournaments, and still offers visitors a chance to enjoy an old-fashioned night at the lanes. According to the Caveman Bowl site, the bowling pro shop is staffed by Chris Warren, a PBA touring professional.

UPDATE: Caveman Bowl remains open today, and its classic roadside marquee continues to welcome bowlers passing through Grants Pass. 07-26

 

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© Copyright 1998-2026 Syd Nagoshi. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the author.