[1][2] Joseph "Mr. T" Teresa, an Italian immigrant by way of Louisiana, who owned a nearby liquor store, bought the property in 1966.
Students from Occidental College and other Eastside campuses frequented the establishment.
In the 1990s, a party-seeking younger generation brought up on punk rock, hip-hop started to attend.
The original bow truss ceiling was revealed, a 1930s forest mural was uncovered, and eight bowling lanes were refurbished, with new chandeliers made from old pinsetter parts.
The business was renamed "Highland Park Bowl" and bands perform on a stage named for Mr. T.[3]