Bowling Green KY history

The Mariah Moore House, completed in 1818, was one of the first substantial brick houses constructed. (Still at its original location on present-day State Street, it is today the oldest building in Bowling Green.)

By the late 1820's, Bowling Green expanded to include a locally owned and printed newspaper (Spirit of the Times), a doctor's office, a private school for boys, a Masonic lodge and several churches.

In 1821, the Bank of the Commonwealth established a branch office in the town, creating important commercial ties with the rest of the state.

During the 1830's, their locally owned stock companies funded the clearing of snags from the Barren River to improve its navigability and the construction of the Portage Railroad to connect the docks to the center of town.

Paddle wheelers and steamboats began to traverse the Barren River with increasing frequency, while the completion of the Louisville and Nashville turnpike in 1838 further strengthened Bowling Green's ties to the rest of the region.

By the 1840's, as the trappings of civilization continued to expand rapidly, Bowling Green was no longer a lonely settlement in the midst of a vast wilderness.

The Marshall House Jewelry Store opened in 1847, indicating the increasing wealth of local residents.

Many Pike Countians joined the 1849 Gold Rush and the ballads "Joe Bowers" and "Sweet Betsy from Pike" are associated with this county.

By the late 1850's, Bowling Green boasted several manufacturing facilities as well, including an iron foundry, woolen factory, candle factory and several flour mills.

Opened in October 1859, the last portion of the L&N Railroad line was constructed around Bowling Green; on completion of the job, many of the German and Irish immigrant laborers remained and established homes.

Throughout the summer of 1861 Kentucky's refusal to choose sides gave temporary respite.

After a rebel defensive line that spanned across southern Kentucky collapsed, in February 1862, the Confederates evacuated the region without a fight.

Union or Confederate, the presence of soldiers for more than four years--the last troops left the area in 1867--drained the county of its resources.

A magnificent three story brick and stone courthouse, which cost $125,000 and was financed by private subscription, opened in 1868 and became a great source of pride.

Among the state's 116 counties in 1870, Warren ranked fourth in the production of hogs,. fifth in wheat and seventh in corn and cattle.

The Gordon Ford College of Business began as a small, private business school in Glasgow, Ky., in 1874.

As Mell continued to pursue other interests, enrollment declined from approximately 600 to 28 students and he sold the school to brothers T.C. and H.H. Cherry in 1892.

BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916.

Western Kentucky merged with Ogden College in 1928.

The park was rebuilt as part of citywide improvements made in preparation for visitors to the 1939 World’s Fair.

The post office received an annex, two new tobacco warehouses opened, and in June, 1940 WLBJ radio station went on the air.

In 1941, however, Union Underwear was invited to open a plant in Bowling Green and shortly thereafter General Electric's Ken-Rad located in town; during the war each hired more than 900 workers.

Harman Sr., J. Lewie. (1 January 1948). Brief Historical Sketch of the Bowling Green Business University.

In 1949, United States Route 31 -W By-Pass was built in an effort to reduce traffic problems, and in turn became a hot spot for new businesses.

Ownership of BU was transferred to a nonprofit corporation in December 1960, changing its name to the Bowling Green College of Commerce.

Duncan, T. (10 May 1963). Commerce College-Western Merger Is Announced Today.

In 1966 Western achieved university status.

A 1982 publication that ranked the nation's towns and cities listed the Bowling Green area among the best places to live.

The county's 1994 population was estimated at 83,000; its largest communities include Woodburn (population 300), Smiths Grove (population 800) and Bowling Green, the state's fifth largest city (population 45,500).

In the final year of the hostilities the army inducted more than 2000 black troops at Bowling Green's recruiting center.