Delehant Bowl/Anderson’s Bowl/State Street Bowl/Regal Lanes
For 62 years there was a bowling alley at the corner of Pierce and State Streets in Council Bluffs. It had several owners and went by several names. Ed Delehant Sr. built Delehant's Bowl at 15 State Street on the site of the historic Clausen residence which had stood since 1874, itself being on the site of the old mission blockhouse, the first building built in Council Bluffs. The bowling alley opened on October 29, 1954, with 14 lanes and semi-automatic pinsetters (still needed pin boys). One year later fully automatic pinsetters were installed – the first in Council Bluffs. The mention of the roof is ironic considering what happens in 1971. You can see the old ball return racks and masking units in this matchbook photo. Delehant's Bowl in 1956. Nonpareil photo from the Council Bluffs Library. In March of 1957, Ed Delehant decided to retire, and sold the bowling alley to Leonard and John Anderson. Leonard was one of the better bowlers in Council Bluffs. His brother John was ...