History of Bowling Green

Geological factors resulting from several glacial movements in the area played a major part in the timing of the development of this region of Northwest Ohio. The Great Black Swamp encompassed most of the land hereabouts. Thus, settlements were confined to ridges and low sand hills created from glacier deposits until such time as comprehensive drainage work took place, shortly before the Civil War.

Local historians cite an incident in 1832, when settler Elisha Martindale traveled to the area by means of an old aboriginal trail. He claimed 40 areas of land near the site of the current Conneaut School on Haskins Rd. The first season he arrived, he camped on the land and was able to cut and stack two ricks of prairie hay. Returning to his claim the following spring to build a cabin, Martindale found his hay burned by the natives (in this area members of the Wyandot, Miami, Ottawa, and Pottawatomie Tribes).

During the next decade, more settlers arrived and built dwellings (the first school building in 1835 and the first store in 1846) on higher ground near present-day Napoleon Rd. and South Main St., calling the settlement Mount Ararat. Incoming residents eventually settled slightly to the North of these early settlements, and a tavern/inn/blacksmith's shop operated by John Hannon was built at the intersection of today's North Main St. and Poe Rd. The name of the settlement, Hannon's Corners, was taken from that business's proprietor.

Commerce consisted of farming, fur trading and lumbering during those early years. The discovery of oil in nearby North Baltimore in 1886 brought an influx of people and money to this area. Several of the grand homes built with revenue from oil money still house the community's residents today. Free gas attracted five glass-making companies towards the end of the 19th Century, resulting in the temporary moniker Crystal City.

Present-day Bowling Green received its name in 1834 from early postal carrier, Joseph Gordon, who previously lived and worked in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The current downtown commercial center originated in 1846 when L. C. Locke purchased land (today's 139 S. Main St.) to establish his home and a store, and he also built the area's first factory, an ashery. Other merchants open establishments nearby to create the early business district. In 1855 the settlement was officially incorporated as a village. Presiding over this colonized region, John C. Wooster, was elected its first mayor in 1856. In the mid-1870's, the community received the sought-after designation of county seat for Wood County after a prolonged battle with neighboring Perrysburg. With the dawn of the new 20th Century, Bowling Green officially received city status in 1901.

The community gained prominence as an educational center when the state legislature's established the State Normal College (now Bowling Green State University) in 1910. Today's thriving community that prides itself on a high quality-of-life for its residents reflects the dreams of early pioneers who recognized its potential and worked hard to bring it to fruition.