3501 Baxter Street, Inglewood; 517 Gallatin Pike, Madison; 117 Donelson Pike, Donelson, circa 1950s
In the 1950s, the Crescent Amusement Company constructed three very similar bowling alleys in mid-century suburbs of Donelson, Inglewood, and Madison. Founded in Nashville around 1910 by Tony Sudekum (1879-1946), the Crescent Amusement Company operated movie theaters and other entertainment venues throughout Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Locally, the company operated the famous Hippodrome and Tennessee Theater on Church Street. The Donelson bowling alley remains in operation and owned by Crescent, but the other two have been closed. All three feature distinctive Mid-Century Modern-style architectural elements on their facades and the Donelson and Madison buildings retain their original distinctive neon signs. Members of the community are concerned that these landmarks will be demolished as part of commercial redevelopment projects.
