UFO Welcome Center in Bowman destroyed in fire

BOWMAN, S.C. (WIS) – An out-of-this-world Orangeburg tourist attraction was destroyed Thursday morning.

According to The Times and Democrat (T&D), the UFO Welcome Center on Homestead Road in Bowman caught fire and burned to the ground. Firefighters from several fire departments responded to the scene and were putting out hot spots at around 9 a.m.

The UFO Welcome Center was built by Jody Pendarvis, a resident of Bowman, based on the classic silver “flying saucer” designs from the 1950′s. Constructed from about eight tons of plywood and boards, the structure was two stories, 16 feet tall and 39 feet in diameter, according to T&D.

“It was very important to our little town because it was bringing tourists,” said Bowman resident Herschell Johnson, “Worldwide, people (knew) about our UFO Welcome Center.”

It quickly became a tourist curiosity, appearing on the Comedy Central Daily Show several times as well as the Roseanne Barr talk show.

People who drove by the UFO Welcome Center on Thursday said the Bowman community lost a major tourist attraction in the fire. Bowman Fire confirmed they started receiving calls around 7 a.m. about the fire.

Two hours later, firefighters were seen still putting out hot spots.

“I looked out back and saw the red stuff, I thought it was a fire engine at first, but I was wrong,” said Jody Pendarvis, the Owner and Founder of the UFO Welcome Center.

Pendarvis said he was devastated to see his pride and joy go up in flames.

“It was devastating, in fact, it hasn’t hit me yet,” Pendarvis said, “I’m sad it’s gone.”

Pendarvis lived in a trailer on the same property as the Welcome Center, which was also lost in the fire. All of his belongings are gone, leaving him with only his cell phone and the clothes on his back.

“They (can) send me some money in the mail,” Pendarvis said, “It’s a lot of money (to rebuild, so,) I’m not too sure if I’m going to do it or not.”

For people that want to support Pendarvis and help him rebuild, Cathy’s Country Cooking in Orangeburg is accepting donations.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.