Montclair, CA - The Bowlium in Montclair at 4666 Holt Boulevard is known for its mid-century architecture. The bowling alley also used to have a cool sign that drew bowlers into its lanes and coffee shop. Unfortunately the sign was taken down around 1999 and replaced by a boring sign.
Bowlium marquee (Removed in 1999)
Montclair, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out the towering marquee at Bowlium in Montclair. The original neon display gave Holt Boulevard a colorful landmark, with geometric accents and oversized lettering announcing the lanes from blocks away. Apparently a night of bowling deserved a sign almost as ambitious as everyone’s hopes for a perfect game.
The Bowlium originally opened back in 1958 and was one of several bowling alleys that drew folks into for both day and night entertainment. As mentioned above, the sign was removed in 1999 and replaced with an interesting "neo-googie" type of sign.
Bowlium front view
Montclair, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Opened in 1958, Bowlium belongs to the era when Southern California bowling centers put plenty of imagination into their appearance. The sweeping roofline brought space-age scenery to the street, while the marquee made sure motorists noticed what was waiting underneath.
At roughly 50 feet tall, the old sign was a major part of that introduction. Its height and playful shapes gave passing drivers something to look at even when bowling wasn’t on the schedule. For roadside enthusiasts, the attraction could begin and end in the parking lot.
The external wall
Montclair, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Unfortunately, the original marquee was removed in 1999. A much smaller replacement took its place, borrowing a little of the Googie look without matching the scale of its predecessor. The invitation to bowl remained, though it had become considerably quieter.
Fortunately, the building and lanes had a better outcome. Bowlium continued operating, preserving a place where the dramatic architecture still leads to an actual game inside. The 32 lanes now combine the older setting with updated scoring and equipment.
Bowlium (Removed)
Montclair, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Food, a lounge, an arcade, and a pro shop help make an evening of the visit. League bowlers and families keep the place active, carrying on the recreation tradition that brought customers here in the late 1950s.
The photograph preserves the marquee when it still stood above the boulevard. It’s a reminder of how much personality once went into advertising the lanes, and how much a single sign could add to a familiar stretch of road,
Bowlium
Montclair, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE: Fortunately this one does not end with bad news. In fact, the Bowlium was thriving as one of the few remaining bowling centers in Southern California until the Covid-19 pandemic overwhelmed society and shut down many of these businesses, hopefully just temporarily. Please check the Bowlium website for status on reopening. 06-00
UPDATE: Bowlium remains open at 4666 Holt Boulevard in Montclair. Its original towering neon marquee was removed in 1999 and replaced with a smaller sign, while the Googie bowling building and 32 lanes continue serving customers. 10-26
See before and after photos of the sign at Roadside Peek'sWhere Are They Now.
Bowlium marquee (Removed in 1999)
Bowlium front view
The external wall
Bowlium (Removed)
Bowlium
