This striking vision of neonness was a bowling alley called the Fountain Grill. I can’t find much information about it, other than it was in Pomona in the 1940s. I don’t know what Pomona looked like in the 1940s, but however it was, I’m sure this place stood out, especially at night.
This was not called The Fountain Grill. It was called The Pomona Bowling Center, which opened in 1948, around the time the photo was taken.
This was not called The Fountain Grill. It was called The Pomona Bowling Center, which opened in 1948, around the time the photo was taken.
The Fountain Grill was run in its early years by my mother, Margaret Murphy, and her best friend, Audrey Cartier. It was a 40s-50s diner complete with chrome fixtures, Coca Cola signs, fountain and booths, and as would be expected, was very popular. As my daddy was a passionate bowler there, I was sometimes allowed in the back of the alley, to help replace the bowling pins in the mechanical setter.
Thanks for sharing your memories with us, Suzie. It sounds like you had a delightful childhood!
I started bowling when I was 8 in 1957 or 58 at the Bowlium. First league, as a Bantam, in 1959 when I was 10. Always thought it was in Pomona, but apparently not. My biggest memory was sitting on the adjacent approach with other junior bowlers watching an exhibition match between Glenn Allison and Billy Welu. Later in junior years I was bowling in the Greater LA Jr All Stars with the men following. I would hang around just to watch Glenn bowl.