Next time you’re headed through Oklahoma, do yourself a favor and stop by Chris Barbee’s Bowling Ball Yard in Nowata!!
As the story goes, Chris’ wife wanted gazing balls to decorate her rose garden but they weren’t sturdy enough to withstand the harsh winters in Oklahoma. So, Chris started using something that would: BOWLING BALLS!
After Carol’s death in 1997, he wanted to make more bowling ball art to keep her memory alive.
Soooo…. since then, he’s been transforming his yard into something EXTRAORDINARY with ordinary bowling balls!
via Roadside America, images via Facebook
Take a LOOK!
This is a small house that has bowling balls and pins for “shingles!”
Hello, friendly bowling ball ROBOT!
Here’s a GIANT pool table complete with painted bowling balls!!
Here’s Mr. Barbee playing pool on it… see how big the table is!
photo by Fred Scruton
Maybe Croquet is more your thing? Here’s a giant set!
The second major project, after his wife’s death, was this bowling ball ALPHABET!!
I recently posted about a bowling ball pyramid… here’s Chris’ version. Look at the LOCK!
How can you not LOVE this place?! It’s truly a labor of LOVE!
When you visit, be sure to make a WISH in this special WISHING WELL!!
And don’t forget to take LOTS of PICTURES!! There’s LOTS more to see, be sure to visit! It’s Free!
Got bowling balls to donate? Leave it in his yard. Chris writes, “Just kick ’em out- I’ll find ’em!”
Chris Barbee’s Bowling Ball Yard is located at: E021 Rd, Nowata, OK 74048