Thursday, March 11, 2010
Lost Memphis Southern Bowling Lanes — Memphis' "Bowling Palace"
Posted by Vance Lauderdale on Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 10:17 AM
- Southern Bowling Lanes
Wow, that's really saying something, isn't it? But back then, you have to understand that bowling was a sport often undertaken in converted buildings and basements, with poor lighting, no air conditioning, and more inconveniences than a medieval torture chamber. Or so I gather from the glowing press releases about this establishment.
Thank goodness the Southern, built for a whopping $150,000, changed all that. Not only were its 24 gleaming hardwood lanes well-lighted and air-conditioned, it boasted the unheard of luxury of "having no posts to mar the beauty of the alleys." Despite a rather traditional Colonial Revival exterior (as shown on this old matchbook), the interior featured "the latest streamlined effects," including such marvels as spacious dressing rooms for men and women bowlers, a restaurant, a ladies powder room, and a gadget called a "teliscore" for keeping track of the games.
The Southern Bowling Lanes' grand opening took place on August 11, 1941, with "dignitaries of the city, sports world, and other walks of life" singing the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America." That was just to open the show. These various celebrities — who included the president of the Memphis Bowling League, the president of the American Bowling Congress, and a fellow named Jim Kelly, identified as "the South's oldest bowler" — then dedicated each alley, one at a time (all 24 of them!) with grandiose speeches and ribbon-cuttings.
After that, the crowds witnessed a thrilling bowling exhibition put on by a team from St. Louis called — get this — Hermann's Undertakers.
I promise you I am not making this up. The grand opening was such a big deal, in fact, that it was broadcast live on WMPS radio. Now, I have to say right here that I can think of a few sports that really don't "translate" well over radio broadcasts, and at the top of that list would be BOWLING. But then, the Lauderdales have not brought home many bowling trophies recently, so perhaps it's hard for me to imagine the sweaty rush of hearing a 7-10 split over the airwaves.
Everyone at the bowling lanes got a real thrill on the morning of April 29, 1944, when an out-of-control U.S. Army B-25 bomber, having some kind of engine trouble, soared low over Tech High School and smashed into the parking lot behind the bowling alley. Everyone on the plane was killed, along with members of a family living in a house on Claybrook. To learn more about that event, go here.
The Southern Bowling Lanes was a popular place, that's for sure. In the 1950s, the owners added the city's first automatic pin-setting machines, something called "an all-new Magic Triangle signaling," and new "AMF streamlined decor," featuring rows of seats made out of "plastic glass." It was so special it even garnered a mention in LOOK magazine.
Other, fancier alleys — National Lanes on Quince, the Imperial Lanes on Summer, opened in newer, fancier neighborhoods, and the Southern Bowling Lanes finally closed in the late 1960s. The big building is still there, though so transformed on the outside with fake stonework and garish paint that it's hardly recognizable as the same building shown on the old matchbook cover. Here's the inside of that same cover:
Comments (7)
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Hey Vance, your copy says S. Cleveland but the matchbook says N. Cleveland. I couldn't find this place on Google Street view on N. Cleveland but found a nail salon that looks like the right place on S. Cleveland.
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I've already corrected it. The bowling alley was indeed located at NORTH Cleveland. To atone for my mistake, I have suspended myself — with pay — for 30 days.
Vance, In February 1941 at 1055 Poplar a home for needy boys was established. It was named Gailor Hall in honor of Bishop Gailor. The home moved to 4093 Summer in 1943. The name was changed to Memphis Boys Town in 1952. What happened to this and what do you know about Father Don Mallory, how hosted "Talk It Out with Father Don" on the AM radio in the 1960s and 70s?
I've written about Gailor Hall before, somewhere. I need to look that up. And Father Don Mowry (not Mallory) is still active. I think you can reach him in care of St. John's Episcopal Church, the one at Greer and Central.
Hey there Vance — what all can you tell me about the Half & Half Coffeehouse which was on Union, near Cooper, in the early '70s? I seem to remember Benjamin Hooks being associated with it. I can tell you about some interesting things relating to the place and its folks, if you're interested ....
My dad was a bowling alley manager on Cleveland across from Sears. His name was Ed Greaney, better known as working with WMC-TV from 1949-2001 (we had a retirement party for him in early '89, but he was working again two days later!). Some of his memories were the pin boys who manually set up the pins. They would get sardines on their lunch break and patrons would complain the bowling balls were oily! He also used to walk to the bank with the days' receipts!
