Imperial Lanes opened its doors at 607 Roberts, between 11th. Ave. and Prospect Ave., in August of 1957. It was torn down in 1983, to make way for the construction of a new J. C. Penney Co. store at the west end of Capital Hill Mall. The dead mall was demolished in 2019, and the site is being redeveloped.

 

 

1978 Aerial Photo

 

Bowling at Imperial Lanes, 1961
Helena High School "Vigilante" yearbook, 1961

 

 

Bowling at Imperial Lanes, 1962
Mural by Jack and Dorris Kinney
Helena High School "Vigilante" yearbook, 1962

Another Imperial Lanes Mural by Jack and Dorris Kinney

COURTESY OF KATHLEEN KINNEY

 

Imperial Lanes Coffee Shop, 1957

COURTESY OF THE KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Demolition, 1983

Google Maps Views of the Imperial Lanes Site, 2012 & 2019

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