View of Bowling Green, Warren County, K.Y., 1871 / drawn & published by A. Ruger.
This panoramic print of Bowling Green, Kentucky was drawn by Albert Ruger and published by Chicago Lith. Co. in 1871. Bowling Green was established in the late 1700's as an agricultural business center in close proximity to the slack-water navigation of the Big Barren River. The community raised and exported tobacco, wheat, corn and pork.
In 1859, Bowling Green was linked with markets, north and south, by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, which maintained extensive railroad machine shops in town.
During the American Civil War, Bowling Green was occupied by the Confederate troops and was named capital of Kentucky’s Confederate government. After reported captures of nearby forts and strongholds by Union forces, Confederate soldiers sacked, burned and abandoned Bowling Green, as fears of its falling into Union hands rose.
Following the war Bowling Green experienced much rebuilding. A new ornate court house was constructed in 1868-9 at a cost of $125,000. Business and industry began to take prominence over agriculture as the city moved forward.
The image, looking north, includes labeled streets, buildings and railroad routes. It features an inset illustration of the Court House.
Features numbered references to the following locations:
- Court House.
- County Jail.
- Market House.
- School Houses.
- Water Works.
- Gas Works.
- L. N. R. R. Depot.
- Cemetery.
- Baptist Church.
- Episcopal Church.
- Methodist Church.
- Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
- First Presbyterian Church.
- Christian Church.
- R. Catholic Church.
- Colored Methodist Church.
