Five Years Ago: Lans-Bowl Burns
Landmark destroyed by fire that started in the bar & grill area
Even with weeds sticking up through the concrete where it once stood, it's hard to believe it's been five years.
In the early morning hours of March 14, 2007, not long after its 3:00 a.m. closing, a fire that started in the bar & grill area of the Lans-Bowl bowling alley ripped through the entire building and destroyed a Lansdale landmark that had endured since the eve of World War II. The blaze burned through the morning and was still being doused by firefighters that afternoon.
My mother-in-law, who lives in Colmar, still proudly displays a raft of trophies she won during league play in the 1970s and 80s. Many other area residents have fond memories of Lans-Bowl.
What are your memories of Lans-Bowl? What do you hope to see built where it once stood?
Tell us in the comments.
Matt Buckley
9:04 am on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
It's a shame... They had just opened up that really nice bar area and that very move ultimately burned the place down. Have some great memories in that place.
Steven Long
11:36 am on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
So, what was the cause of the delay in rebuilding?
Brian Rox
8:47 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The YMCA Bought the land.
Keith Heffintrayer
2:56 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
We were actually there that evening, prior to the fire.
A few friends and I decided to make a stop at SpareTime, and there were a handful of people there for the Tuesday night open mic, including an older man who was jamming out on his trumpet at 1:30 a.m.
A few hours later I received a call that the building was on fire. Such a shame.
Janet Herman Karll
8:48 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Lans Bowl was THE place to go when dating back in the late 60's and a convenient place to hang out with friends for many years after. It's a shame it's gone. I would like to see another bowling alley with a nice bar, in it's place.