Bowling Green, Virginia

Town in Virginia, United States

Bowling Green, Virginia

Town

Main Street, Bowling Green

Seal

Location in Virginia

Bowling Green

Location in Virginia

Show map of Virginia

Bowling Green

Location in the contiguous United States

Show map of the United States

Coordinates: 38°3′12″N 77°20′51″W﻿ / ﻿38.05333°N 77.34750°W﻿ / 38.05333; -77.34750
Country| United States
State|  Virginia
County| Caroline
Founded| 1837
Government

• Mayor| Jason Satterwhite
Area

[1]

• Total| 1.63 sq mi (4.22 km2)
• Land| 1.60 sq mi (4.15 km2)
• Water| 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation

| 226 ft (69 m)
Population

(2010)

• Total| 1,111
• Estimate

(2019)[2]

| 1,175
• Density| 732.54/sq mi (282.81/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes|

22427-22428

Area code| 804
FIPS code| 51-08888[3]
GNIS feature ID| 1498454[4]
Website| Official website

Bowling Green is an incorporated town in Caroline County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,111 at the 2010 census.

The county seat of Caroline County[5] since 1803, Bowling Green is best known as the "cradle of American horse racing", the home of the second oldest Virginia Masonic Lodge, and the current location of the oldest continuously inhabited residence in Virginia.

## History[edit]

The town of Bowling Green was earlier known as New Hope. One of the earliest stage roads in the colony ran through the area from Richmond to the Potomac River, where a ferry crossing was operated to Charles County, Maryland. One of the first stage lines in America to maintain a regular schedule operated along this road. New Hope Tavern was built along the road in the 18th century and the area around it became known as New Hope.[6]

The town was renamed for "The Bowling Green" which was the plantation of town founder, Major John Thomas Hoomes,[7] who donated the land and funds for a new courthouse when the community became the county seat in 1803. The origin of the plantation's name is not definitive but may be based on the 2-acre (8,100 m2) green sward in front of the plantation house itself. The Bowling Green Estate was the site of one of the first tracks built to race horses in America.[8] The plantation house, pre-Georgian tidewater colonial in style, was built circa 1741. A prominent colonial landmark, it is one of the oldest houses in original condition in Virginia[6] and is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.[8]

The present Caroline County Court House was built in 1835 and Bowling Green was incorporated as a town about 2 years later, in 1837. The town is best known as the "cradle of American horse racing" and as the home of the second-oldest Masonic Lodge in Virginia, Kilwinning Crosse, No. 2-237 .

The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (chartered in 1834) was built through nearby Milford (just west of town) and reached Fredericksburg by 1837. This important rail link between several major northern railroads at Washington, DC and other major southern railroads at Richmond was long partially owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and became part of CSX Transportation in the 1990s. It is a major freight railroad line for north–south traffic and the corridor also hosts many Amtrak trains. Although the closest Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter passenger rail service to Northern Virginia is currently accessed at Fredericksburg, future VRE extensions southward may include service at Milford which would be very convenient for Bowling Green and the surrounding area.

In 1855, a gazetteer described the town as having "2 churches, 3 stores, 2 mills, and about 300 inhabitants".[9]

Today, Bowling Green is located along Virginia State Route 2, one of the two earlier highways between Richmond and Fredericksburg. In later years, U.S. Route 301 was built through the area, connecting Richmond with Baltimore, Maryland with what was effectively an eastern bypass of the Washington, DC area for north–south traffic along the U.S. east coast. A new road, Virginia State Route 207 was established from Bowling Green west to Carmel Church, where it intersects Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, major north–south highways. The musician Jason Manns is from Bowling Green.

In 1941, the United States government acquired 77,000 acres (310 km2) of Caroline County to the north and east of Bowling Green and established the A.P. Hill Military Reservation. Now known as Fort Walker, it was originally named for a Virginia military hero, U.S. Army and later Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill, who was killed just prior to the end of the War in 1865. The installation's name was changed in 2023 to honor Mary Edwards Walker, an American abolitionist, prohibitionist, prisoner of war, and surgeon. She is the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor. At the massive complex, thousands of regular military and reserve troops undergo training each year. It has also been the site of national Jamboree gatherings of the Boy Scouts of America.[10]

In addition to "The Bowling Green," Auburn, the Bowling Green Historic District, Caroline County Courthouse, and Green Falls are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[11]

## Geography[edit]

Bowling Green is located at 38°3′12″N 77°20′51″W﻿ / ﻿38.05333°N 77.34750°W﻿ / 38.05333; -77.34750 (38.053428, −77.347404).[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km2), of which 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (1.24%) is water.

## Demographics[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1850| 377| | —
1860| 237| | −37.1%
1870| 395| | 66.7%
1880| 426| | 7.8%
1890| 511| | 20.0%
1900| 458| | −10.4%
1910| 433| | −5.5%
1920| 463| | 6.9%
1930| 422| | −8.9%
1940| 541| | 28.2%
1950| 616| | 13.9%
1960| 528| | −14.3%
1970| 528| | 0.0%
1980| 665| | 25.9%
1990| 727| | 9.3%
2000| 936| | 28.7%
2010| 1,111| | 18.7%
2019 (est.)| 1,175| [2]| 5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 936 people, 387 households, and 212 families residing in the town. The population density was 587.1 people per square mile (227.3/km2). There were 425 housing units at an average density of 266.6 per square mile (103.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 80.13% White, 18.38% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.32% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.92% of the population.

There were 387 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.0% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 32.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 69.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,250, and the median income for a family was $49,792. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $25,341 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,223. About 8.5% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 22.6% of those age 65 or over.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. ^ a b History Archived August 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
7. ^ Dyson, Cathy (July 20, 2003). "History and legend unlock origins of unusual names". The Free Lance-Star. pp. A7. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
8. ^ a b Acknowledgment For Codification Archived November 12, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ Edwards, Richard (1855). Statistical Gazetteer of the State of Virginia. Richmond, Virginia: Richard Edwards. p. 183.
10. ^ Fort AP Hill, Va • History Archived April 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
12. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bowling Green, Virginia.

* Town of Bowling Green, VA official website

* v
* t
* e

Towns in Virginia

* Abingdon
* Accomac
* Alberta
* Altavista
* Amherst
* Appalachia
* Appomattox
* Ashland
* Bedford
* Belle Haven
* Berryville
* Big Stone Gap
* Blacksburg
* Blackstone
* Bloxom
* Bluefield
* Boones Mill
* Bowling Green
* Boyce
* Boydton
* Boykins
* Branchville
* Bridgewater
* Broadway
* Brodnax
* Brookneal
* Buchanan
* Burkeville
* Cape Charles
* Capron
* Cedar Bluff
* Charlotte Court House
* Chase City
* Chatham
* Cheriton
* Chilhowie
* Chincoteague
* Christiansburg
* Claremont
* Clarksville
* Cleveland
* Clifton
* Clifton Forge
* Clinchco
* Clinchport
* Clintwood
* Coeburn
* Colonial Beach
* Courtland
* Craigsville
* Crewe
* Culpeper
* Damascus
* Dayton
* Dendron
* Dillwyn
* Drakes Branch
* Dublin
* Duffield
* Dumfries
* Dungannon
* Eastville
* Edinburg
* Elkton
* Exmore
* Farmville
* Fincastle
* Floyd
* Fries
* Front Royal
* Gate City
* Glade Spring
* Glasgow
* Glen Lyn
* Gordonsville
* Goshen
* Gretna
* Grottoes
* Grundy
* Halifax
* Hallwood
* Hamilton
* Haymarket
* Haysi
* Herndon
* Hillsboro
* Hillsville
* Honaker
* Hurt
* Independence
* Iron Gate
* Irvington
* Ivor
* Jarratt
* Jonesville
* Keller
* Kenbridge
* Keysville
* Kilmarnock
* La Crosse
* Lawrenceville
* Lebanon
* Leesburg
* Louisa
* Lovettsville
* Luray
* Madison
* Marion
* McKenney
* Melfa
* Middleburg
* Middletown
* Mineral
* Monterey
* Montross
* Mount Crawford
* Mount Jackson
* Narrows
* Nassawadox
* New Castle
* New Market
* Newsoms
* Nickelsville
* Occoquan
* Onancock
* Onley
* Orange
* Painter
* Pamplin City
* Parksley
* Pearisburg
* Pembroke
* Pennington Gap
* Phenix
* Pocahontas
* Port Royal
* Pound
* Pulaski
* Purcellville
* Quantico
* Remington
* Rich Creek
* Richlands
* Ridgeway
* Rocky Mount
* Round Hill
* Rural Retreat
* St. Paul
* Saltville
* Saxis
* Scottsburg
* Scottsville
* Shenandoah
* Smithfield
* South Boston
* South Hill
* Stanardsville
* Stanley
* Stephens City
* Stony Creek
* Strasburg
* Stuart
* Surry
* Tangier
* Tappahannock
* Tazewell
* The Plains
* Timberville
* Toms Brook
* Troutdale
* Troutville
* Urbanna
* Victoria
* Vienna
* Vinton
* Virgilina
* Wachapreague
* Wakefield
* Warrenton
* Warsaw
* Washington
* Waverly
* Weber City
* West Point
* White Stone
* Windsor
* Wise
* Woodstock
* Wytheville

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Caroline County, Virginia, United States

County seat: Bowling Green

Towns|

* Bowling Green
* Port Royal

Map of Virginia highlighting Caroline County

CDPs|

* Lake Caroline
* Lake Land'Or

Unincorporated
communities|

* Athens
* Bagby
* Bagdad
* Balty
* Baylortown
* Blantons
* Brandywine
* Broaddus
* Butlers Fork
* Caroline Pines
* Cedar Fork
* Cedon
* Central Point
* Chilesburg
* Christopher Fork
* Claiborne
* Corbin
* Daltons
* Dawn
* DeJarnette
* Delos
* Doggetts Fork
* Edgar
* Elevon
* Etta
* Featherstone Fork
* Frog Level
* Gether
* Golansville
* Guinea
* Haymount
* Hickory Fork
* Kidds Fork
* Ladysmith
* Lauraville
* Lent
* Liberty
* Liberty Fork
* Long Branch
* Lorne
* Loving Fork
* Maryton
* McDuff
* Mica
* Milford
* Moss Neck
* Nancy Wrights Corner
* Naulakla
* New London
* Oak Corner
* Paige
* Penola
* Poplar
* Port Royal Cross Roads
* Portobago
* Rappahannock Academy
* Raymonds Fork
* Rixey
* Ruther Glen
* Shumansville
* Smoots
* Sorrell
* Sparta
* Tignor
* Travis Mill
* Upper Zion
* Villboro
* Waverly
* Welchs
* Woodford
* Wrights Fork
* Wrightsville

* Virginia portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

County seats and independent cities of Virginia

County seats of Virginia

* Abingdon
* Accomac
* Amelia
* Amherst
* Appomattox
* Arlington
* Bedford
* Berryville
* Bland
* Bowling Green
* Boydton
* Buckingham
* Charles City
* Charlotte Court House
* Charlottesville
* Chatham
* Chesterfield
* Christiansburg
* Clintwood
* Courtland
* Covington
* Culpeper
* Cumberland
* Dinwiddie
* Eastville
* Emporia
* Fairfax
* Farmville
* Fincastle
* Floyd
* Front Royal
* Gate City
* Gloucester
* Goochland
* Grundy
* Halifax
* Hanover
* Harrisonburg
* Heathsville
* Hillsville
* Independence
* Isle of Wight
* Jonesville
* King and Queen Court House
* King George
* King William
* Lancaster
* Laurel
* Lawrenceville
* Lebanon
* Leesburg
* Lexington
* Louisa
* Lovingston
* Lunenburg
* Luray
* Madison
* Manassas
* Marion
* Martinsville
* Mathews
* Monterey
* Montross
* New Castle
* New Kent
* Nottoway
* Orange
* Palmyra
* Pearisburg
* Powhatan
* Prince George
* Pulaski
* Rocky Mount
* Rustburg
* Salem
* Saluda
* Spotsylvania Courthouse
* Stafford
* Stanardsville
* Staunton
* Stuart
* Surry
* Sussex
* Tappahannock
* Tazewell
* Warm Springs
* Warrenton
* Warsaw
* Washington
* Williamsburg
* Winchester
* Wise
* Woodstock
* Wytheville
* Yorktown

Independent cities of Virginia

* Alexandria
* Bristol
* Buena Vista
* Charlottesville
* Chesapeake
* Colonial Heights
* Covington
* Danville
* Emporia
* Fairfax
* Falls Church
* Franklin
* Fredericksburg
* Galax
* Hampton
* Harrisonburg
* Hopewell
* Lexington
* Lynchburg
* Manassas
* Manassas Park
* Martinsville
* Newport News
* Norfolk
* Norton
* Petersburg
* Poquoson
* Portsmouth
* Radford
* Richmond
* Roanoke
* Salem
* Staunton
* Suffolk
* Virginia Beach
* Waynesboro
* Williamsburg
* Winchester

Authority control databases

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* NARA

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template