The actions of L&N President James Gutherie resulted in a contentious relationship with the U.S. War Department, after the Battle of Perryville sealed Kentucky's alliance, but saved the L&N's future.

[3] When the Confederates were forced to retreat from the city in February 1862, they burned downtown and all the supplies they could not carry, as well as the depot and trains.

Bowling Green's station was the first place they could leave the train, but enormous bonfires were built in order to deter infection.

In retaliation, Milton Smith moved the railroad operations to Paris, TN, causing economic hardships for Bowling Green.

With the signing the Transportation Act in 1957 to create a national interstate road system and the burgeoning popularity of air travel, passenger service began to decline in the 1960s.

[6][8] Left abandoned for many years and ownership passing through the hand of several private owners, the depot was saved from the wrecking ball by a group of concerned citizens.

The Depot Development Authority (DDA) was organized by the local government to oversee the twelve year, five phase, renovation process.

joined the City offices, and the Friends of L&N Depot (formerly the Historic Rail Committee) opened its museum and retail operations.

The Friends of L&N Depot, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, manages the building operations through an agreement with the Warren Fiscal Court and City of Bowling Green, KY.

Museum docents provide behind the scenes guided tours of the railcars, including several very rare railroad equipment.