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 a farmer in Griswold. The brothers renamed the bowling alley, Anderson’s Bowl.

Leonard Anderson leaning on the front desk at Delehant Bowl in 1954. Nonpareil photo from the Council Bluffs Library.

The Andersons made some significant upgrades including new ball return racks, masking units, and seating. They purchased the car lot just north of the bowling alley for additional parking.

Clarke Patton bowling at Anderson's Bowl around 1960. You can see the newer ball racks and masking units.

The Andersons run was only six years though. In 1963 Leonard and John Anderson filed for bankruptcy. Ed Delehant Sr., making his return to the business, agreed to operate the business for the bankruptcy receiver. The name was changed to State Street Bowl. The parking lot north of the bowling alley was sold for a Holiday gas station.

Unfortunately, only one year later, on May 7, 1964, Ed Delehant, Sr. died. His family continued to operate the business, with his wife Mabel assuming ownership.

1970 brought another name change to the bowling alley when two of Ed Delehant Sr.’s sons, Dean and Father Daniel Delehant, formed a corporation that would operate the business. They brought back the original name, Delehant Bowl.

On February 22, 1971, during a heavy winter storm, the roof on Delehant Bowl collapsed. Fortunately, it occurred overnight, and no one was injured.

March 19, 1971 Nonpareil photo

The Delehants took advantage of the shutdown to completely overhaul the facility. They added two more lanes, all new seating, a lounge, a beauty shop, a nursery, a pro shop, and replaced all the pinsetters with the latest AMF machines. They opened just ten months later, on December 3, 1971.

Nonpareil ad from December 3, 1971.

Intending to retire, Dean Delehant sold his share of the business in 1976. His sister, Josephine Ratliff, took over management of Delehant Bowl.

Father Daniel Delehant, the remaining stockholder in Delehant Bowl, Inc., died on August 10, 1978. His mother, Mabel Delehant, who still owned the property, died just two months later, on October 7, 1978. The family had little choice but to sell the business and property.

Jerry Pursell, a local businessman and bowler, purchased the bowling alley in 1979. He changed the name back to State Street Bowl.

Two years later, in 1981, Bill Franz, with his wife, Bev, and son, Mark, purchased the business and named it Regal Lanes. Bill had left employment as manager at Brunswick Valley View Lanes earlier that year, and many of his loyal bowlers followed him to Regal. The Franz family would own and operate Regal Lanes for 17 years.

Regal Lanes around 1990.

Bill Franz in the office at Regal Lanes.

Bev Franz in the office at Regal Lanes.

In 1998, with Bill Franz in declining health, the bowling alley was sold to a corporation formed by Carol Henderson, Dan Underwood, and Ted Roberts. Carol had been the Program Director at Regal since Bill Franz took over in 1981. Dan and Ted were customers and avid bowlers. Dan was involved in a family construction business, and Ted was a Council Bluffs police officer. They left the name the same, Regal Lanes.

Carol Henderson and Bill Franz behind the front desk at Regal Lanes.

Sadly, Carol Henderson passed away in 2007.

Dan Underwood continued to operate Regal Lanes until 2016. The decline in bowling participation and the difficulty in maintaining the aging equipment and building led to the demise of the business. Although it was sad to see the business close, credit goes to Dan and his partners for keeping it open for 18 years.

The building was sold to a youth gymnastics club, and all the bowling fixtures and equipment were removed.

The bowling equipment beginning to be removed.

Dan Underwood assisting in equipment removal.

62 years. Nearly 1 million lines of bowling. Countless gallons of beverages. Relationships started. Relationships ended. New friends made. New skills learned. Thrills and disappointments. Births and deaths. All in this place. All under this roof (when it stayed up!). A very special place.