Thomasville in Thomas County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley

Built 1896

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

1. O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley Marker

Inscription.
Thomasville, Georgia
Oldest extant, single lane, freestanding bowling alley in the United States

Erected 2024 by John Lee of Nansemond Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Sports. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 30° 50.75′ N, 83° 59.082′ W. Marker is in Thomasville, Georgia, in Thomas County. It can be reached from North Dawson Street just south of East Jerger Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker and bowling alley are on the Thomasville History Center grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 725 North Dawson Street, Thomasville GA 31792, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oliver C. Ewart Bowling Alley (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Smith Family Homestead (a few steps from this marker); Flowers Playhouse (a few steps from this marker); Roberts Family Garage (a few steps from this marker); Rufus Smith Log House (within shouting distance of this marker); Flowers-Roberts House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dixie Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); How Did They Get Water? (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomasville.

Also see . . .
1. A Thomasville Bowling Alley is the oldest of its kind in the U.S. (Newbreak.com).

(By Layan Abu Tarboush, 10/17/2024) Excerpt: The O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley has been a beloved community fixture since 1896. It recently received official recognition from the National Society Colonial Dames
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

2. O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley Marker
The marker is on the right side of the front entrance.
of the Seventeenth Century.

(Submitted on September 12, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Historic O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (YouTube).

Historic O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley earns title as the oldest single-lane bowling alley in the U.S.

(Submitted on September 12, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (<i>front/south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

3. O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (front/south elevation)

O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

4. O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (west elevation)

O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

5. O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (southwest elevation)

O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (<i>interior</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

6. O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (interior)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 12, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.