All-Star Triangle Bowl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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All Star Bowling Lane
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All-Star Triangle Bowl in 2015
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 559 E. Russell St., Orangeburg, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1962 |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000837 |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 1996 Civil Rights Movement in Orangeburg County MPS |
The All-Star Triangle Bowl was once a bowling alley in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It used to be called All-Star Bowling Lane. This building is important because of its role in the Civil Rights Movement.
It had 16 bowling lanes. In 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place in American history.
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A New Bowling Alley Opens
The bowling alley first opened its doors on March 3, 1962. Its first owner was a man named Harry K. Floyd. It was a popular spot for bowling in the community.
The Orangeburg Protests
The All-Star Triangle Bowl is known for its connection to the Orangeburg Massacre. This event happened at South Carolina State University. It began because the bowling alley's owner, Harry K. Floyd, would not let African American people bowl there. This was a time when many places were segregated, meaning people of different races were kept separate.
Students from the university decided to protest this unfair rule. They wanted everyone to be able to bowl together. Their peaceful protests led to a tragic event. The bowling alley became a symbol of the fight for equal rights.
The Alley Closes Down
Harry K. Floyd owned and ran the bowling alley until he passed away in 2002. His son, Harry K. Floyd, Jr., then took over the business. However, the family faced money problems. Because of this, the bowling alley closed its doors for good in August 2007.
Plans for a Memorial
In September 2020, a group from Orangeburg bought the old bowling alley. This group is a nonprofit organization called the Center for Creative Partnerships. They plan to turn the building into a special memorial. It will honor the Civil Rights Movement in the city.
The All-Star Bowling Lane became part of the National Park Service African American Civil Rights Network in June 2021. The National Park Service has supported the plans to fix up the building. They gave a grant of $500,000 in 2022. Work to restore the building started in February 2022. An event was held to remember the 54th anniversary of the protests.
In April 2024, the National Park Service gave another $750,000 to help with the restoration. The goal is to make the former bowling alley a place where people can learn about history.
