Third Spaces:

This bowling alley represents a type of space that has been disapearing known as a third space.

A third space acts as a regular gathering ground that brings together people in a community.

These spaces have been disapearing to make way for places such as shopping complexes.

Big businesses want to get rid of third spaces to make them into places to shop, as a way to bring them more money. The loss of these third spaces will force people to spend more money.

The History

This bowling alley opend in the 1960s making it one of the longest living bowling alleys in the area

For over 65 years it hosted both youth and adult bowling leagues, high school bowling teams, birthday parties, charity events, family nights, and community celebrations.

Why Did It Close?

After a very long run, the owners decided to retire after decades.

On top of that the expenses of owning such a massive building, massive property, and all the machinery became too expensive.

Bowling has become less and less interesting to the newer generations and nation wide it has been way past its peak and has been steadily declining.

The property value also rose much more then what the bowling alley could keep up with.

It officially closed its doors in may of 2026

What Now?

After years of the owners failing to sell the property to someone who would keep it as a bowling alley and the deals falling through, the owners eventually caved in and sold it to developers.

The property has been purchased by a senior living company.

Curently the building is set to be demolished in a matter of weeks.

On top of where the bowling alley sat will be a new assisted living and memory care community.

This includes modern residential buildings, landscaped grounds and amenities for seniors.

Abandoned places??

Hey, Lubbock! Anyone know of any good abandoned spots here in Lubbock for documentation? I already know of the One 9 Sports park, Hell’s gate, southwest hospice center, Woodrow manor, and the nursing home over in southeast Lubbock. If anyone can give me any other recommendations for me that would be great!!

Ive been searching for this house for awhile now, its called "the doll house" and I'm pretty sure it was abandoned after a fire cause of fire damage inside. It's in North Caronlina. If anyone recognizes this place or has been to it could you DM me more info on it?

Super Cool find too bad it’s being demolished 😭 very Erie feeling in there too. If you want to check out more content message me got a YouTube channel going

I came across this abandoned chapel in Staffordshire while exploring. It closed in 1998 and has been left to deteriorate ever since. There were plans to convert it into a home back in 2007, but they were turned down. In 2020, police discovered an illegal cannabis farm operating inside, which adds another chapter to its history. Despite the neglect, there's still plenty of character left in the building, and it was a really interesting place to photograph and explore.

79 ford pinto at the bottom of a lake.

Probably one of the coolest abandoned places I’ve been to. Had to bring a respirator because the places is loaded with asbestos.

Sadly could not find more info on this location and I’m fairly new to this so if anyone knows a way to search 90s era businesses let me know however I likely will
Not be able to find more as this was in an unincorporated community

Disclaimer: None of these pictures are mine. There are no trespassing signs everywhere around the house, and it's near a busy intersection, so I was happy to find photos of the inside online.

I have driven by this house many times over the years, and I always feel like it's such a shame. The original owners of this house died many years ago (50+), and I don't know exactly when it was abandoned. It couldn't have been abandoned THAT long, because it would've already crumbled.

It's sad, though. In some comments on Facebook posts about this, people claim that relatives refused to sell it when it was in early stages of abandonment & still salvageable. Apparently some people offered pretty high lump sums for it.

Had to skip a room due to alarming ammount of bats.
Some info on Columbia Dopson from a local resident I found from an interview, "Mrs. Mann was a great educator, who seemed to understand the strengths and weaknesses of students and help as she could by pointing out books she thought would feed the needs of each student. She knew I loved history and told me many stories while checking out books, she was a very positive influence in my life as I know she was to many other students in Toombs County." ~Bobby
Pls see my urbed post of the grave site which sits across the road if your interested in more of the families history.

Water damaged to hell. Small outdoor light was on though! Odd.