Due to Bowling Green's strategic location along the Barren River, and its regional economic and industrial power, it was a coveted city by both the Confederates and the Union.

[1] The soldiers fortified hills on the edge of downtown, and spent a great deal of time ensuring the city would not fall to Union invaders.

Soldiers even converted Hobson Grove, a mansion at the edge of downtown, into a fort with a large storage of ammunition, weapons, and munitions for troops.

[1] Businesses, such as taverns, restaurants, and even brothels catered to the occupying forces, who spent their wages on food, drink, and comfort in these downtown establishments.

After the aforementioned destruction of industry, such as the railroad tracks, buildings of potential military relevance, and munitions storages, downtown Bowling Green needed to rebuild.

Residents came together, and in conjunction with the industrial revolution that swept the United States, quickly rebuilt and expanded upon the economy and infrastructure of downtown.

Formerly known as the Southern Normal School, Western Kentucky University was donated to the state and renamed to its current moniker in 1906 by its president, Henry Hardin Cherry.