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History of Bowling Green

Founded in 1798, on the 30-plus acres of land donated by Robert Moore, Bowling Green is now the fourth most populated city in the state of Kentucky. In the 1800s Bowling Green experienced rapid urbanization due to in large part to the growth in its steamboat commerce and the building of railroads which connected Bowling Green to both northern and southern markets. This urbanization made Bowling Green a coveted city among fighting Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War. Eventually the Confederate army occupied the city and along with it control of the river and railroad. Although the Confederate troops destroyed parts of the city after their defeat at the hands of the Union army, the Bowling Green's business district began to prosper as the county rebuilt and entered the Industrial Revolution.

In 1906, Henry Hardin Cherry, president and owner of the Southern Normal School, donated his beloved school to the state of Kentucky. This institution still stands today and is now known as Western Kentucky University. As industries began to profit and the popularity of the university increased, the city began to feel the strain of the increased traffic. In 1949, U.S. Route 31W Bypass was built in an effort to reduce traffic problems, and in turn became a hot spot for new businesses. As one 1954 advertisement read, "Your business can grow in the direction Bowling Green is growing-to the 31-W-By-Pass." The 1960s and 1970s saw the completion of both Interstate 65 and the Green River Parkway, which is now referred to as the William H. Natcher Parkway. The completion of these roads helped the city to welcome new industries including General Motors' Chevrolet Corvette assembly plant in 1981. Bowling Green is now home to many industries, including GM, Fruit of the Loom, International Paper (formerly Weyerhauser), and Houchens Industries, Inc.

In 2008, Bowling Green appeared in the 12th spot on Forbes Magazine's of the "Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers," and was ranked 33rd by the Milken Institute on their list of the top 124 of small cities in their "Best Performance Cities Index 2008." Along with its increased recognition as a hub of business venture and growth, the city of Bowling Green offers tourist and citizens a wide arrange of activities including numerous parks, museums, caves, cultural events and sporting venues. This coincides with the city's efforts to preserve and restore the historical downtown district, thus allowing for the modern conveniences of a large city with the traditional feel of a small town.