KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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"Ernest Hogan"
(Marker Number: 2282)

County: Warren
Location: 401 Kentucky St., Bowling Green

Description: Born Reuben Crowdus on April 17, 1865 in Bowling Green, Ky. He left home at age 12 to sing in minstrel shows. He became prominent as a songwriter in the 1890s. In 1895, he wrote “La Pas Ma La” & promoted it as first published ragtime song. Many regarded him as the “Father of Ragtime,” a new genre of music, from which many other types of music developed.

(Reverse) A pioneer in black entertainment, he was one of the best-known and highest-paid performers of early ragtime era. He starred in major minstrels, vaudeville, and musical comedy. In 1898, Hogan had the starring role in the first black show to play in major Broadway theatre. He died on May 20, 1909 and is buried in the Mt. Moriah cemetery.

(Subjects: Actors | African American | Bowling Green | Musicians)

A Civil War Defense Line
(Marker Number: 538)

County: Warren
Location: Roland Bland Park, Bowling Green

Description: Troops under Generals S. B. Buckner and A. S. Johnston, CSA, took up this key position in the Southern defense line on September 18, 1861. After Fort Henry fell and Fort Donelson was threatened, they evacuated Feb. 11-13, 1862. Gen. O. M. Mitchell and Federal troops entered Feb. 14, 1862, occupying the evacuated fort and securing the defense line for the North.

(Subjects: Buckner, Simon Bolivar | Civil War | Forts and Stations | Johnston, Albert Sidney)

Baker Hill
(Marker Number: 1049)

County: Warren
Location: Old Louisville Rd., north of Bowling Green

Description: One of nine hills fortified by CSA making Bowling Green a strong Confederate defense center, 1861. Feb. 14, 1862, day after CSA left the area, USA forces in command of Gen. Ormsby Mitchell bombarded the town from here. It continued until a civilian bearing flag of truce advised Federals CSA had gone. Residence on hilltop used as hospital by USA to end of war.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Civil War)

Bowling Green
(Marker Number: 997)

County: Warren
Location: Chestnut St. & Spring Alley, Main Place, Bowling Green

Description: Founded in 1796 by Robert Moore who built cabin at the Big Spring located here. This spring water was nucleus around which the town grew. Moore, his brother, George, and James Stewart posted bond of 1,000 English pounds to establish town in 1797. First courts met in Moore's home. Named "Bolin Green," 1798, traditionally because of bowling grounds located on site.

(Subjects: Bowling Green)

Bowling Green College of Commerce
(Marker Number: 1418)

County: Warren
Location: Entrance to grounds of Bowling Green College of Commerce at Western Ky. Univ.

Description: Became a college of Western Kentucky University in 1963. Founded as part of Glasgow Normal Institute in 1875. School moved to Bowling Green in 1884. Was named Southern Normal School and Business College. In 1907 the schools separated. The Business University moved downtown, then to College Street. Flourished as a private school for over 50 years.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Western Kentucky University)

Civil War Occupations
(Marker Number: 1024)

County: Warren
Location: Fountain Square, Bowling Green

Description: Threatened by Union forces to the west, CSA, who had occupied city five months and fortified hills, planned to evacuate Feb. 14, 1862. Other Federals came from north and bombarded from across the river. CSA set fire to depot and warehouses, as planned, night of 13th. Federals resumed bombardment next day, but ceased and entered city when informed CSA had gone.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Civil War)

College Hill
(Marker Number: 1051)

County: Warren
Location: Main & Park Sts., entrance to Reservoir Park, Bowling Green

Description: Now known as Reservoir Hill, one of nine key fortifications of CSA defense during 1861 Civil War occupation of Bowling Green. Felled trees with sharpened ends were placed as cavalry barriers. Stones from a college building under construction went into the fortifications. The Bowling Green system was manned by approximately 4,000 Confederates.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Civil War)

Confederate State Capital of Kentucky
(Marker Number: 67)

County: Warren
Location: US 68, Western Ky. Univ. Campus, Bowling Green

Description: Bowling Green was named State Capital at the convention in Russellville, November 20, 1861. First Governor: George W. Johnson. Commissioners to the Confederate Congress: William Preston, W. E. Simms, and Henry Burnett.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Capitals | Civil War)

Eliza Calvert Hall, 1856-1935
(Marker Number: 2240)

County: Warren
Location: Corner of Chestnut & 14th Streets, Bowling Green

Description: Lida Calvert Obenchain (“Eliza Calvert Hall”), suffragist, press superintendent of Ky. Equal Rights Assn., poet, author. Her most famous story, “Sally Ann’s Experience” (1898), protested women’s inequality. President Roosevelt praised her first collection of stories, Aunt Jane of Kentucky(1907). Over

Royalties helped purchase home at 1353 Chestnut St. The Land of Long Ago(1909), To Love and to Cherish (1911) and Clover and Blue Grass (1916) followed. For A Book of Hand-Woven Coverlets (1912), she bought coverlets from wagons of tobacco farmers on Chestnut St. Her books reached at least one million readers. Over

(Subjects: Authors | Bowling Green | Poets | Women)

Fort Webb
(Marker Number: 1458)

County: Warren
Location: Beech Bend Rd. & Country Club Dr., Bowling Green

Description: Constructed by CSA during early days of Civil War. One of numerous fortifications in Bowling Green area used by CSA and Union forces. Located at head of navigation on Barren and Green River systems, Bowling Green became an important stronghold with two railroads to Memphis and Nashville. Threats from Union forces caused CSA to abandon town on February 14, 1862. Over.

(Reverse) Civil War Fortifications of Bowling Green - (A map showing fortifications)

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Civil War | Forts and Stations)

Hobson House
(Marker Number: 1127)

County: Warren
Location: 1100 West Main St., Bowling Green

Description: Located at the west end of Main St. Home of Col. Atwood G. Hobson, lawyer, banker and Union officer, begun 1860. During the Confederate occupation of Bowling Green, 1862, CSA Gen. Simon B. Buckner saved house at request of his friend, USA General W. E. Hobson, son of owner. Used as munitions depot. After the war, Col. Hobson made that his home until death, 1898.

(Subjects: Buckner, Simon Bolivar | Union Army | Lawyers)

Home of Thomas Hines
(Marker Number: 769)

County: Warren
Location: 1210 Fairview Ave., at cemetery entrance, Bowling Green

Description: Capt. Thomas Henry Hines enlisted in the Confederate Army, 1861. With Brig. Gen John H. Morgan, 1862-63. Captured, July '63, in Ohio with Morgan. Led escape from Federal prison, Nov. '63. Leader of northwest conspiracy '64. Termed most dangerous man of Confederacy. Ky. Court of Appeals, 1878-98. Born Butler Co., 1838; lived here. Buried Fairview Cemetery, 1898.

(Subjects: Confederate Army | Morgan, John Hunt)

Home/Office of Duncan Hines 1941-1959
(Marker Number: 1831)

County: Warren
Location: 3098 Louisville Rd., Bowling Green

Description: Authority on restaurants and lodgings in U.S. Born in Bowling Green, 1880. From places visited on business trips, he noted good eating places and inns. That led to annual editions of Adventures in Good Eating and Lodging for a Night. Also authored Vacation Guide and Adventures in Good Cooking. Died in 1959; buried Fairview Cem.

(Subjects: Authors | Cemeteries)

Jacob Skiles and Three Springs
(Marker Number: 1792)

County: Warren
Location: 2055 Three Springs Rd., Bowling Green

Description: Pioneer merchant Skiles started to Ky. in 1790 by Ohio River flatboat, surviving Indian capture en route. He settled in Bowling Green, 1803, and later moved to Three Springs on the Cumberland Trace. Here he established a thriving mercantile business. Skiles died, 1816. Three Springs declined as an area trade center in 1820s when travel was diverted through Bowling Green.

(Subjects: Cumberland Trace | Indians | Ohio River)

James T. Morehead, 1797-1854
(Marker Number: 1882)

County: Warren
Location: Courthouse, Bowling Green

Description: Ky.'s first native son to become governor was born in Bullitt Co. but reared in Logan Co. He read law under John J. Crittenden; began practice in Bowling Green. Served in Ky. House of Rep., and elected lt. gov. At Gov. Breathitt's death, Morehead became chief executive, 1834-1836. A close Whig ally of Henry Clay, he was in U.S. Senate, 1841-1847. Buried in Frankfort.

(Subjects: Clay, Henry | Crittenden, John J. | Governors)

Jonesville
(Marker Number: 2052)

County: Warren
Location: Western Ky. Univ. Campus, Univ. Blvd. & US 68/80, Bowling Green

Description: This African American community was founded after the Civil War. It was bordered by Dogwood Dr., Russellville Road, and the railroad tracks. The community grew to include several hundred residents, an elementary school, businesses, and two churches. Frame and hand-hewn stone houses lined the streets of Jonesville. Presented by Western Kentucky University.

(Reverse) Jonesville - The lives of most residents of this close African American community revolved around church, school and family activities. In the late 1950s Jonesville was one of two areas in Bowling Green designated for urban renewal. By 1968 the state had acquired the land and sold it to the university. Presented by Western Kentucky University.

(Subjects: African American | Bowling Green | Western Kentucky University)

Long Hunters
(Marker Number: 1187)

County: Warren
Location: Courthouse lawn, US 68, 231, Bowling Green

Description: An exploring party of 13 "Long Hunters," so named because of the long periods of time spent away from home, camped along Barren River in 1775. Their names were carved on a beech tree, a silent record of the first white men in this area. Henry Skaggs and Joseph Drake of this group had been among first Long Hunters, 1769-71, whose exploring helped open mid-Kentucky.

(Subjects: Long Hunters)

McFadin's Station
(Marker Number: 981)

County: Warren
Location: Cumberland Trace Elementary School, Bowling Green

Description: The first in this area, 1785. On north bank of Barren River, built by Andrew McFadin (McFadden), one of 8 brothers from N.C., all of whom fought in Revolutionary War. Five of them later came to Ky., settled along Barren River. Andrew made first surveys of much of the land in this region. McFadin's was stopover for Robert Moore, who founded Bowling Green about 1796.

(Reverse) Cumberland Trace - McFadin's Station stood near the Cumberland Trace, an important artery in the development of this region, used by many who settled this area. The route branched off from the Wilderness Road near Harrodsburg, came past present sites of Greensburg and Glasgow, crossed the Barren River here and continued on to the Cumberland settlements, now Nashville, Tenn.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Cumberland Trace | Forts and Stations | Revolutionary War | Roads | Wilderness Road)

McFadin's Station
(Marker Number: 1665)

County: Warren
Location: KY 1402, Porter Pike, Bowling Green

Description: First settlement in Warren County, 1/4 mi. east, was on north side of Barren River near mouth of Drake's Creek. Andrew McFadin, Rev. War soldier from N.C., surveyed area and established station, 1785. It was a popular stopover on Cumberland Trace. Emmett Logan, a Louisville Times editor, once owned land where station stood. Henry Watterson was frequent visitor to his home.

(Subjects: Creeks | Cumberland Trace | Forts and Stations | Revolutionary War | Rivers)

Ogden College
(Marker Number: 1360)

County: Warren
Location: State St. at 15th St., Ogden Campus, Western Ky. Univ.

Description: Founded here, 1877, with funds left by Robert Ogden, local businessman. Filled educational gap, as there were no public schools here until 1882. Prep school accredited in 1919. Ogden's criteria: regular attendance, gentlemanly deportment, diligent study. Consolidated with Western Ky. Univ., 1927. Its name is retained in the Ogden College of Science and Technology.

(Subjects: Schools | Western Kentucky University)

Old Meeting House
(Marker Number: 662)

County: Warren
Location: KY 263, near Jct. KY 185, 6 mi. north of Bowling Green

Description: Green River Union Meeting House, part of Great Frontier Revival of early 1800's, and burial ground are three miles northwest. Huguenots came 1806 and 1814, organized and built log church, then about 1845 present meeting house. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians met there before building own churches in area. Many leading ministers of those days were trained there.

Old Stagecoach Stop
(Marker Number: 1573)

County: Warren
Location: US 31-W, 8 mi. NE of Bowling Green

Description: Built in 1841 by Samuel Murrell, this house was a well-known inn and stagecoach stop on Louisville-Nashville road until the L&N Railroad was completed in 1859. This property previously belonged to Susannah Henry Madison, wife of General Thomas Madison and sister of Patrick Henry. She was buried here and was later moved to a cemetery in Smiths Grove.

(Subjects: Henry, Patrick | Inns | Louisville and Nashville Railroad | Stagecoach Stops)

Old Union Church
(Marker Number: 1063)

County: Warren
Location: US 31-W, KY 240, 7 mi. E. of Woodburn

Description: Legislative Act of 1795 gave right to 200 acres for each settler in Green River country. This brought many from Carolinas. Among them were Baptists, two preachers, who constituted Union Church in 1795. John Hightower, first pastor, served until 1813. Meeting house shared with other denominations. Services through Civil War while most did not. The present building erected in 1866.

(Subjects: Baptist Church)

Ora Porter (1880-1970)
(Marker Number: 2149)

County: Warren
Location: 700 block of College St., Bowling Green

Description: Ora Porter, born in Butler Co., in 1880, moved to Bowling Green at age 10. She graduated from Tuskegee Institute School of Nursing and was among the earliest registered nurses in Ky. She was an organizer of the George Washington Carver Community Center, the Interracial Commission, an active campaigner for civic improvement. Died, 1970.

(Subjects: African American | Women)

Pioneer Surveyor
(Marker Number: 1191)

County: Warren
Location: Covington Woods Park,US 31-W, Bowling Green

Description: General Elijah M. Covington of the Kentucky Militia came here from North Carolina in 1795 to farm and survey. Acquired 23,000 acres in Warren, Logan, Edmonson counties. He became Warren County's first sheriff and surveyor. Helped to select the early site of Bowling Green and made the first survey of Mammoth Cave. This park named for him, purchased by city, 1933.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Mammoth Cave)

Potter College
(Marker Number: 1417)

County: Warren
Location: Western Ky. Univ., entrance to grounds of Potter College of Arts and Humanities, Bowling Green

Description: School for girls founded 1877 as Cedar Bluff Female College near Woodburn. Part of the staff moved to Bowling Green in 1899 and began Potter College. Located on Vinegar Hill, now part of the campus of Western Kentucky University. School closed in 1909. Name perpetuated in Potter College of Arts and Humanities of Western Kentucky University.

(Subjects: Western Kentucky University)

Providence Knob Baptist Church
(Marker Number: 1954)

County: Warren
Location: 210 Browning Road, Jct. US 68/80 and KY 1083, Rockfield

Description: Oldest Missionary Baptist Church in Warren Assoc., it was organized in Sept. 1804 with nine members. Five churches in Bowling Green and Warren Co. have formed from the parent church, including First Baptist Church of Bowling Green, 1818. Two associations formed here: Gasper River-1812; Clear Fork-1860. Present building erected in 1852. Presented by Providence Knob Baptist Church.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Bowling Green)

Shake Rag
(Marker Number: 2158)

County: Warren
Location: 201 State St., Bowling Green

Description: This African American community was founded in the 1800s. Bordered by the river and High, Ky., and 7th Sts, the area grew to include hundreds of residents, two schools, businesses, and churches. The architecture of Shake Rag shows a growing middle-class community.

(Reverse) The lives of residents revolved around church, school, and family activities. The congregation that became State Street Baptist was organized in 1838. State Street School was founded in 1883; the Carver Center began in 1946. The Southern Queen Hotel served black travelers. Shake Rag is a reminder of progress residents made despite social and economic hardship.

(Subjects: African American | Bowling Green)

Warren County
(Marker Number: 987)

County: Warren
Location: Courthouse lawn, US 31-W, Bowling Green

Description: Established by Legislature, 1796, as the 24th county of Kentucky. Formed from part of Logan County. Parts of Barren, Allen, Edmonson, and Simpson counties later taken from original Warren boundaries. Named for Maj. Gen. Joseph Warren who died at Bunker Hill in 1775. Two earlier courthouses, the first log and second brick, 1812, were built in present Fountain Square.

(Reverse) Portage Railroad - Built 1832, by company organized by J. Rumsey Skiles, early Bowling Green industrialist, was one of earliest railroads in Ky. It ran from this site to Barren River, over a mile. Its iron tramcars were pulled by mules. In 1836 a depot on this site and an elevator and warehouse on river bank were built. L & N bought Portage R. R., 1855. Part of it still used. Over.

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Courthouses | Railroads)

Warren County's Chief USA Civil War Officers
(Marker Number: 1201)

County: Warren
Location: Courthouse lawn, US 31-W, Bowling Green

Description: Brig. Gen. William E. Hobson, lst Brig., 2nd Div., 23rd Corps
Col. Benj. C. Grider, 9th Ky. Inf.
Col. J. H. Grider, 52nd Ky. Inf.
Col. P. B. Hawkins, 11th Ky. Inf.
Col. Atwood G. Hobson, 13th Ky. Inf.
Col. E. L. Mottley, 11th Ky. Inf.

(Reverse) Warren County's Awards-Confederate Medals of Honour

Conferred by President Davis on enlisted man selected by company at the first dress parade after "every signal victory."

Sgt. Wm. E. Kinman, Co. H, 9th Ky. Inf. at Stone's River, 1863.
Pvt. Benjamin F. Parker, Co. A, 2nd Ky. Inf. at Chickamauga, 1863.
Over.

(Subjects: Civil War | Confederate Army | Davis, Jefferson | Medal of Honor Winners)

William Taylor Runner Roadside Park
(Marker Number: 1401)

County: Warren
Location: US 31-W, 3 mi. S. of Bowling Green

Description: Runner (1890-1969) planned this, first roadside park in area, 1948. Officer U.S. Army, Mexican Campaign and World War I. Employed by Highway Department in 1930; Superintendent of Roadside Improvement for this District (1947-1960). Dedicated worker in the cause of highway beautification.

(Subjects: Roads | World War I)