America's Vanishing Bowling Alleys

The U.S. had 4,061 bowling centers in 2012, down 25 percent from 1998, the earliest year for which the U.S. Census collected consistent data. But the decline of the bowling alley probably started a lot earlier.
The U.S. added 2,000 bowling alleys between the end of World War II and 1958, when the American Society of Planning Officials reported that 'the bowling alley is fast becoming one of the most important - if not the most important - local center of participant sport and recreation.' As the workforce changed and access to other recreational activities expanded, interest in bowling leagues waned.