Mega thanks to reader Ron for spotting this gem — a 1962 home in Rockford, Michigan (near Grand Rapids) that includes a spectacular two-lane bowling alley in the basement. This is beyond amazing! The house is currently for sale, it’s listed at $189,000 by Theresa Robinson of 616 Realty (listing now ended.) I talked to Theresa via phone to get permission to show this photo, and she explained that the house has been in the same family since they built it — with great care — in 1962. The original family member loved to entertain … and yes, loved to bowl! He got the bowling alley components from a bowling alley in Lansing, Mich. that was going out of business. Then, he built the house around the bowling alley. Theresa said that the local newspaper wrote a feature story about the house when it was finished.
The house is a wonderful time capsule a number of other ways — it does not appear to have been re-muddled. Original bathrooms, kitchens upstairs and down, great space, great finishes. But the bowling alley: Blow me away!
Diana says
well, I can’t get the link to the pictures to load. sigh… I had a school project back in 8th grade to design a house. I had a full wall TV, a restaurant style stainless steel kitchen and a basement with a bowling ally.
My teacher said the TV was impossible and gave be a bad grade. I was ahead of my time
pam kueber says
click on the photo toward the bottom…
Diana says
My dream home with only 2 major issues. The entire inside needs painting and it in MICHIGAN. blah… too cold