A bowling lane is 42 inches wide and 60 feet long, with the length being measured from the foul line to the head pin. 8 3/8 inches long plus sitting and scoring area in front of the lanes. I have an idea to connect two buildings together. I will need the space
There's a former movie theatre turned sporting goods store up here that has a regular storefront building up front (offices, former lobby, etc.) and a Quonset-like extension out back where the actual movie theatre seating and screen used to be. Simple, effective, and just about right for a couple of lanes or so.
One of our old downtown brick buildings used to have an alley in the basement. 3 lanes, I think. In any case, the buildings are normal brick, (ala DPM), structures that aren't usually more than 25=35 feet wide at the front.
Quonset huts were portable and could be had for cheap right after WWII. They became everything from barns to welding shops. I know where there used to be a bar in a Quonset hut. Might make a good bowling allay at that- just maybe not eight lanes.
Check this out! (https://eastsidehistory.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/atwood-bowling-alleys-2164-atwood-ave-1920-1950/) Atwood Bowling Alleys, Madison Wisconsin (1920's)
That's beautiful. The grainy B&W photo really sets up the atmosphere. I don't think color would do it justice.
That Alley obviously lasted well into the 1950s as evidenced by 1950-ish Nash Ambassador next to the building. It therefore could easily be within your time period Candy.
