Exploring an Abandoned 1960's Bowling Alley & Movie Theater! (vintage and everything left)

Built originally as a movie theater in the 1930s, this building has had many different life cycles. After the theater closed many years later, it was then converted into a courthouse, then a danceclub, and finally a bowling alley. This small time capsule has alot of character and it all still shows in the architecture of this beautiful building. Along with artifacts left behind, we will uncovering and exploring all of its secrets. If you enjoy the video, help me defeat the algorithm by leaving a thumbs up, and commenting ! Thanks for watching :)
My Instagram @Dark.Exploration
Chris' Channel ‪@UrbexAndChill‬

[@DarkExploration]

Hope you guys enjoyed the exploration! Tell me, whats the better place to have a first date. Bowling alley or movie theater ? Have a good day!

[@Crankerny58]

Bowling alley!

[@kimmieandrews2491]

That was awesome and sad at the same time. Thanks for exploring. I love vintage stuff of what was. That building should be restored. Gorgeous wood, what's left of it. Thank you!!

[@orionxtc1119]

Cinema first then bowling alley afterwards...

[@malinikamalinika4654]

Hello from Russia !🤗🇷🇺 Each place is interesting in own way.👍100% If clearly explainned.😊

[@delanieharding3346]

Bowling for sure!!

[@whynot2644]

I can't believe we let these type places just rot away. So sad. So much history gone.

[@maximusbavarius]

maybe no one want it or the owner dont sell.... its very sad. Here in germany the same

[@muspobear]

Just a TOTAL WASTE. So much Cinema Technology was there through the decades from Academy Aperture 4:3 to FULL Cinerama/CINEMASCOPE. Wonder if that was one of the very rare Super Cinerama’s?!?! Anyway. Yes a total sacrilege….Them jerks should be boiled in there own juices…

[@alexandraradio]

Such a beautiful and majestic old building. They sure dont build them like that anymore. Those old olives... OMG it looked disgusting 😨

[@alliehearst4862]

Every video gets better . You are such a breath of fresh air in the KZbin community in general . Thankyou for what you do , also the music for this was so ambient

[@moonwalker091000]

I totally agree. He is such a professional. I've watched other explorers but often I can't finish watching the video because they are too fast and jerky and I find myself getting dizzy and nauseated. This young man is the best at what he does!! :o)

[@alliehearst4862]

@@moonwalker091000 certainly the best!

[@reesedaniel5835]

Yes and without too much unnecessary, what I call "teenage girl" language as well. Another one of my absolute favorites is "Urban Exploring with Kappy"... he finds the best 1800s mansions all over the southeast US. He's very low key, has an adorable voice and is respectful to his youtube audience. He stays out of the picture as well, only showing the abandoned houses.

[@moonwalker091000]

@@reesedaniel5835 Thanks for the info, I will have to check him out. Have a great weekend :o)

[@silenthillsexplorations]

Thanks for making this video asbestos you can :)

[@uzaiyaro]

Have yourself a groan.

[@tichdaddy1]

Surely… Don’t call me surely..

[@Reel_SD_Outdoors]

The people that disliked it are just mad they couldn’t be there don’t worry man good vid!

[@coolelectronics1759]

or who probably just hate bowling, movie theaters, bars and beer

[@stanedgie5910]

@@coolelectronics1759 or life in general...

[@RomeoChessGameVlogs200]

Does anyone know where this place is?

[@jerseytomato100]

I love the murals! Such a shame they're going to waste.

[@SchererProductionServices]

I had to laugh at the Optimus 200 watt amp from Radio Shack!!!

[@coolelectronics1759]

lol the mark of the best budget equipment they could aford! Thats funny I just sold one similar not too long ago

[@donnacaron9312]

It's candlepin bowling, the big balls are called 10 pin.

[@spiderreed350]

Rite,10 pin.or King pin.

[@joshdenton611]

LMAO! those bowling shoes look brand new. Better than any pair of bowling shoes i've ever worn.

[@stevethefanman8955]

I absolutely find old vintage stuff like this fascinating, a place like this has so much history and stories to tell , but I can tell this place has been through a lot ... Very sadning but a interesting exploration.

[@dreamerjs]

YUS! Starting my weekend off right! Omg such an awesome place! I vaguely recall the name candlestick bowling but this was cool seeing it! I think that cigarette was left by an explorer. Looks too new.🌸✌️💜

[@christiaanbothma]

I've been in movie theaters since I was 2 and seeing one abandoned like this is personally heartbreaking.

[@CARLWASTAKEN]

Hey dude thanks for the video been waiting for a while, honestly your quite different from the others and I feel like your unique and that's why I come back to your videos please don't stop what you do man. 🙏

[@richardlefrancoissr3711]

This place is in my hometown and I have been in there in a couple of times in its past incarnations. IT is sad to see the place falling apart so badly it was a grand theater in it day. As a former projectionist I know what happened in the projection room of this theater and there was two projectors there because that was how a movie was shown.

[@simongee8928]

Learned something new here; I've never heard of candlestick bowling - !

[@matthewortado4943]

Candlestick bowling is mainly in the New England area from what I understand.

[@Chris-jm4zk]

Candlepin

[@MultiMegafred]

It might have originated in Europe. Here in Germany we had that sort of candlepin bowling, before the American style bowling got popular.

[@simongee8928]

Or was it a development of the much older game of skittles which had similar shaped 'targets' to aim for ?

[@WeirdLife777]

Haven't either!

[@TheRopeAddict]

This location was aged to perfection.

[@pamm9704]

This place is tremendous! And I absolutely love how you display the way it looks now with pictures of the way it used to look. This kind of stuff brings me to tears. I don’t know what it is about places like this but it’s fantastic. And you do a phenomenal job with your videos and explaining things. Giving a backstory when you can. Keep up the amazing work. I love all your videos 🤟🏼

[@executeordershills6654]

I’m with you 100%. The fact that they used the building for like 5 different things makes it look really out of place. Nice find man

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Love your videos and glad to see your adventures as well. Thanks for posting this too. Have a nice day now.

[@CoffeeBreakswithBri]

I don’t think I’ll ever stop watching your channel. Your content is top tier. Also, the music was beautiful and fit perfectly. Made me a bit emotional tbh!

[@andrewwilks5155]

This seems very fascinating here. Never heard of candlestick bowling until now. Hopefully someone will buy this building and revitalize building having businesses in it again such as a restaurant again, a theater, trendy homey coffee shop, other shops as well such as clothing, food, pet, boutique, and/or antique shops as well. That would be great!

[@michaelhungate7506]

This is something I'd love to do. Just explore old buildings. Always fascinating to me. 2010 last occupied, sure must have been in pretty bad shape before it closed.

[@kathyhancock7072]

That's sad we r all going to be a memory one day be nice while ur alive

[@lissanne9769]

WOW! What a great place to find. I think that I was in this place as a child. It all looks familiar. As a child I could not put the pieces together as to what this place was. A theater, a government office, a bowling ally, a restaurant, a museum? There were so many people everywhere, so I never let go of my mom's hand. Thanks so much for the video.

[@spookalicous1930]

Love how you do the before shots, really makes you feel like going back in time!

[@Kathleennebel]

I so love this! Reminds me a bit of my childhood!! Except I was child of 70’s.. miss those days!

[@christiaanbothma]

My mom was born in the mid 70's.

[@ausdude121]

I was born in the 7O`s never can remember going bowling. It was the drive in or pizza hut for our big night out as kids. That's in Australia

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

They should be restoring these places, keeping that vintage style. not letting it rot. Honestly what I would give for just one street somewhere that’s just stuck completely in the 50s-80s. (And still functional)

[@davidblee819]

Duckpin bowling :) Takes me back to my childhood bowling days.

[@krisross7180]

Exactly! Me too.

[@kelleennordquist5697]

I love, love love, that you post photos of the places before abandoned. Thank you so much for all the hard work you do for us.

[@desertpinevintage162]

I love that the bowling shoes say Dexter. Priceless

[@ronaldmiller2740]

Great job guys what a big loss that building is a tear down how can people let buildings like that go! The bowling room that fish painting goofy .The theater was grand , Thanks for your video let us know if they fix it up or tear it down it is bad to the bone bad...peace!

[@MaryJane-en8eh]

Life will never be this carefree as it once was. Long gone.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Agreed. Every time I look at the news and how it’s all so... dystopian? I just want to throw my bloody TV. Place should be restored and let people with Alzheimer’s “reminisce”

[@SymeonPhronema]

Loved the video man! Vintage bowling alleys, and asylums are my favorite. I especially liked the comparison photos when/if you can find them; they're great!

[@alfredritcher]

Went bowling all the time when i was in my teens and early 20's both big ball and small ball

[@MoonSpeaksTV]

Great video as always ! I love the cinematography involved. Feels like stepping back in time . ❤️

[@georgef551]

I've been here once when it was in it's last years. While the place looked good (I don't remember the murals being there), the machines were garbage. There would be a full house, and only 2 lanes at any one time would work. Once they got more lanes functioning, other lanes would break down. It wasn't run well at all. PS: It's Candlepin bowling, although candlestick is another common name for it. Since you mentioned it's harder, to give you perspective, average skill for "Regular" bowling for casual leagues is around 150, whereas it's 90 for candlepin. These are according to records of the respectful congresses for each bowling type.

[@CherylynCupstid]

I absolutely enjoy watching your videos! Thank you so much for sharing. I do enjoy the intro music as well! So enjoy the appreciation of the moment and allowing us to view without extreme over commentary. Perfect presentations! Awesome awesome!🥰

[@thestars386]

Well that was a fantastic explore, a lot of vintage stuff there. very nice, I really enjoyed this video. Great job, keep up the good work.

[@TheSarota1986]

How nostalgic and sad this is… amazing exploration sir 🙌🏻💜 beautiful walkthrough

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Cool, thanks for the narration and the old pix! ! !

[@ianmoone4331]

The lights being lit on the shipwreck is soooo Dark Exploration😉

[@anniecurley]

Candlepin bowling was all that was around where I grew up! I never even played a ten pin game until I was an adult 😂. Great video!

[@totallyxstellar]

Same!!

[@Nohandle4me2]

I always loved the bowling and movie combination

[@peggyoyer9260]

I just stumbled on your video & I love it already. Thank you for putting in shots of what it originally looked like.

[@melrivi5950]

this video is perfection! beautiful building, cinematography is on point and awesome ASMR 😌✨ keep em’ coming!

[@jooleepadoolie]

Excellent! Love the candlestick pins.

[@stevebiesiada6338]

Thank you for this one, it is awesome, the bowling alley is unique, the architecture is great, and the changes it went through, Thank you

[@PinInTheAtlas]

Love the vintage equipment and that building looks amazing, such a shame about all of the water damage. You can tell that was the place to be back in the day, still has an air of glamour and luxury. Thank you for this one really enjoyed this location.

[@nataliesmith303]

What a fab find with many things left behind 😀

[@Georgie6974]

I bowled candlepin before. It can be hard. Bowling is fun 🎳😄 Love the vintage theater & bar sections. Its amazing how much decay from 2k10 - '11. Awesome video & explore ❤🏚😊

[@patrickr.452]

Super cool! I've never heard of that kind of bowling. Looks kinda fun.

[@spiritofpast900]

I always enjoy your Explorations. Very impressive and breathtaking. I also have to make you a compliment ,your Videos have increased, more effektive with the Soundtracks. Each time it feels like I'm sucked into this place, not only watching,but also feeling it. Undescripable❤ thank you❤

[@jem-qd2sn]

So cool that you Superimposed to what the area looked like before. Keep up the GREAT WORK 👍

[@brendakrieger7000]

Really unique place🎳 Never heard of candlestick bowling pins

[@donaldberthel]

Actually it's called Candlepin. Very common still here in Massachusetts. Where I live, I can reach 4 different candlepin bowling alleys within 20 minutes of my house. To get to a regular ten-pin bowling alley, I have to drive almost an hour. Be sure to check it out if you ever find yourself in Massachusetts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6mufX2la8mcmJY

[@brendakrieger7000]

@@donaldberthel thank you, I will

[@moonwalker091000]

What a cool old place. And I love the round bar!! Hard to believe its only been abandoned for 11 years. Its crazy how fast decay sets in. Great job guys, really enjoyed this one. :o)

[@dakotaschwartzlose]

I want a pair of those shoes for when I go bowling

[@meepthirteen]

Appreciate the old photographs for reference.

[@mohandascletisghandi7960]

Best urbex vid I've seen in quite a while.

[@stanedgie5910]

i remember a bowling alley i use to go to where i was the designated scorer (closed and demolished since)... hence i understand the scoring system in bowling. And i have never heard of "candlestick/candlepin" bowling (pins), interesting, learned something today. Awesome clip, love it...

[@charlesgoodman5086]

Still with the old Brunswick ball returns and masking units, etc. Very cool explore and the scoring tables with the old projectors. The older stuff seems to have more character than the modern. I used to do ten pin bowling 🎳 but we don't have candle pin bowling where I live. Over the past ten years we have had several ten pin establishments close.

[@lokidogproductions1289]

Never seen candlestick bowling my self. Wish you could have gotten shots of the pin machines in back of the alley. But oh well still a awesome exploration! Thanks for sharing!

[@pinballdan]

Yeah he needed to show the pinsetters!!

[@mrbill3576]

Outstanding as always sir

[@marthareeder7282]

Cool explore. That's duck pin bowling. Cool that building was used for different things.

[@soniaibarra1926]

Wow what an amazing and Huge place!!👍🏻👍🏻

[@the4thstooge80]

Outstanding video Amigo ! Many thumbs up. Your closing shots with music are badass ! I have been in dozens of abandon and closed theaters, you really nailed the atmosphere. Just be careful, wear your mask,travel in pairs and avoid anything that says asbestos.Keep up the great work !!

[@aaronb7631]

Candlepin bowling! Interesting.

[@greeneyedldy50]

So cool I love old abandoned buildings myself I would love to check this out

[@ouiji1963]

Great video, I really liked the transitions to the old days, well done :)

[@googoobaby2394]

Thanks for the trip to the recent and the long past times 😎

[@MrL4t3]

Very cool find ... great job !

[@Robbie-E1971]

I love these kind of explores

[@Karen.cook424]

I’ve never heard of candlestick bowling but where I grew up (Maryland) duck pin bowling was very popular. Small balls like you saw, but they were regular shaped pins just smaller in size. Very cool explore btw! Really enjoyed seeing the pictures of how it looked in its glory!

[@gregvarner9562]

I can't believe how gone to hell that place is in just 11 years. It's crazy how fast places fall apart without human intervention or at least occupation. Thank you for going into something like this. It's very interesting.

[@crystalscan2002]

so cool that all the different tytpes are left behind

[@firemanfireman7228]

You know i recently i saw your video's and i must say i enjoyed them very much loved this old building it really should be saved I love seeing and hoping some where See's this and saves it got the alert you were on watch it right away keep up what your doing bro

[@anitaheaton-sherling804]

One of the best videos I've seen!

[@ernestopadilla5382]

Crazy that only a few people ever got to enjoy bowling in the 1950 insane treasure those memories everyone because memories are the only thing we get to keep in the end

[@marcberm]

Nice job, as always! 😉

[@jessemiller6677]

That carpet really tied up the room! Dude

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Wow what an amazing place! Great find! Should of tried to knock down some candlesticks! 👍👍👍🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@orionxtc1119]

maybe they did off camera... one BIG RULE in exploring is not to affect the actual place too much....

[@bevolson7619]

Never knew about candlelite bowling before watching this.. sad that this was tried for many things to save, but a large amount of decay has now set in. A good explore and learning lesson. Thank you.

[@mariantreber8055]

They say candle pin.

[@Tarot-by-the-sea]

Great! Wow all the cool bowling shoes left behind. This buildings had a few different life times. Sad it’s left to rot. I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t a group somewhere that’s trying to preserve the place. We have a similar old abandoned theatre in Brighton, can’t get in though! Keep safe

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

The infamous Brunswick overhead projectors with built-in ashtrays. LOL

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome job on this video!

[@Sunsetdrivein]

The Peerless "Magnarc" is a carbon arc light source for the projectors. From the limited view you provided of the "non-operator" side of the projectors, I think they are Simplex standards projector heads. It would have been better if you could have photographed the operator's side instead. I think the optical soundheads were Western Electric brand. On the back wall of the booth, you went right past a Simplex (olive drab color) theater sound system amplifier rack cabinet. Looks like it was setup for stereo movie sound. So likely around 1955 the theater got an audio system upgrade from mono to stereo sound. By the way, at 11:47 to the left of the drinking fountain is a black metal plate attached to the wall. That plate is for attaching a modern single slot payphone to the wall.

[@chrisunwin959]

Hey Ken, great to, see your comment here! Hope life is going well for you. The last time we spoke was years ago on film tech. I was going to leave a comment very similar to what you said, but now I don't have to LOL! A crying shame to see such beautiful equipment left to rot like that.

[@Sunsetdrivein]

@@chrisunwin959 Chris: I remember you from film tech. I'm banned from there so cannot post there any more. Yes, this building has serious roof leaks allowing water into the building. Another instance of "demolition by neglect". I hate to see perfectly good equipment go to waste.

[@chrisunwin959]

@@Sunsetdrivein yes a real shame. Way too many beautiful old theatres have gone this way. Demolition by neglect. It's amazing to me that they would not even take out the old equipment to try to sell it.

[@robinkeith1507]

You guys always have awesom videos 👍

[@hanksteroz6140]

Amazing

[@munnsie100]

What a beautiful old place, would have been a very grand theatre in it's day. We have an old local cinema that has been a few different things in it's life, though the original interior features were stripped by the new owner :-(

[@ifgstop5630]

It's candlestick bowling which strings are attached to the pins and when the mechanism pulls it up. They dangle down straight because of gravity and then the mechanism slowly puts them back down on the platform so you can bowl.. it's actually the original way of bowling. That is the history of bowling and that's where it came from.

[@stanedgie5910]

nice explanation, thanks...

[@MyFamilyWorkLife]

great job!

[@deniseboldea1624]

The paintings were probably done for effect during Glow or Cosmic bowling times. I bet they looked awesome under black light!

[@tnjrcfl1]

Currently working on an old alley doing full refurb Looks so much like this place it's crazy. Scored 2 of the scoring tables with projected light and even the OG ash trays in corners. Going to make them clean and do part of the shop with my old bikes have theme of old alley as well. Too Kool. Got few old balls and pins as well all in the Era of my 58 harley so should end up pretty Kool:) good content. Regards TNJR

[@crystalscan2002]

that was so cool looking

[@SurferKenTV3]

Best abounded exploration channel and it’s not even close.

[@GoLions67]

Love your videos!!

[@zacattack8795]

Love this video buddy 👊

[@donaldpratt7099]

Candlepin bowling is big up north. I would love to have a bowling pin and a pair of those shoes that were left. That was a beautiful building. Too bad its decaying.

[@jayellevanderschoor1786]

Shoes look brand new

[@davidbaker990]

You do I great job thank you for the great content

[@juliamenezes8053]

Good video really interesting cause in my mind I never thought public places could become this way just abandoned and no closure instead remenants. I will have to remember the candlestick bowling seems like Atomic Bowl at arcades

[@MNorris1985]

Beautiful

[@GreekGypsy]

Very nice !!