Fair Lanes Explained

Fair Lanes was an operator of bowling alleys. It was founded as the Recreation Bowling Center in 1927, a 100-lane duckpin[1] complex on North Howard Street in Baltimore, Maryland, by the Friedberg family.[2] The Friedbergs expanded to other locations, starting in the Baltimore area, and renamed the company "Fair Lanes". During the 1950s and 1960s, it was the largest chain of bowling alleys,[3] with over 40 locations in the US and England.[2] Baltimore designer Betty Cooke was hired to design the interiors, choosing bright colors to bring an air of respectability to what had been mainly and basement and saloon facilities.[3] The company was acquired by AMF Bowling in 1995, at which point it had 106 locations.[4]

Notes and References

  1. https://calusbc.wordpress.com/2022/01/02/a-page-from-the-past-weve-located-another-100-lane-bowling-establishment/
  2. News: J. Friedberg, Bowling Chain's Founder, Dies . . September 11, 1963 . 4 .
  3. Web site: Oral history interview with Betty Cooke, 2004 July 1–2 . Archives of American Art . Smithsonian Archives of American Art . 15 August 2024.
  4. Web site: AMF gains control of Fair Lanes . . January 1, 1995.