Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling

This talk is offered FREE in conjunction with Rare Books LA, featuring leading specialists in antiquarian books, ephemera, and maps. Supported by Metro, this exciting event takes place October 5 and 6, 2024, in the historic Ticket Concourse at Union Station, the backdrop for numerous classic films and television shows as well as the 2021 Academy Awards.

Union Station is transit friendly, offers ample affordable parking, and is close to numerous restaurants and hotels.

Grab your tickets for Rare Books LA – Union Station and sign up for email updates.

Please visit http://www.rarebooksla.com/exhibitors for a list of exhibitors.

Union Station

800 North Alameda Street

Los Angeles, California

Saturday, October 5

10am – 6pm

Sunday, October 6

11am – 4pm

Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling by Chris Nichols with Adriene Biondo takes aim at the obsession that swept the post-war nation: bowling! More than just a sport or a hobby, bowling became the ultimate modern lifestyle for Americans savoring the boom years that followed World War II.

Bowling alleys were modern palaces; companies constantly aimed to outdo each other, whether competing for the most spectacular architecture, the most luxurious lanes, the snazziest bowling balls, or the most exciting refreshments they could offer.

The beautiful lanes and balls that roll down to strike those pins are often housed in equally beautiful and unique buildings. Bowlarama highlights many of these and their histories, often designed in Modern, Streamline Moderne, and Googie style showing off their eye-catching architecture to attract patrons. Unfortunately, many of these bowling alleys are no longer standing but their influence and iconic place in American cultural history is celebrated in this book.

Bowlarama brings back—in living color—all the excitement 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 spirit of bowling and its legacy.

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.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Los Angeles Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, United States