Civil War Discovery Trail

Click here to download a printable pdf of the brochure.

Kentucky was of such great strategic importance, that Abraham Lincoln stated in an 1861 letter, “I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game.” With Kentuckians divided between North and South, the state adopted a policy of neutrality at the beginning of the Civil War. The status ended in early September 1861, when Confederate troops under General Gideon Pillow seized the Mississippi River town of Columbus, Kentucky. The Union army under General Ulysses S. Grant responded by taking the cities of Paducah and Smithland, Kentucky. Fully realizing its importance to the Southern cause, Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner led approximately 4000 troops to occupy Bowling Green on 18 September 1861.

Both sides wanted control over Bowling Green and Warren County. The county’s productive farms and its ample quantities of fresh water promised plentiful supplies for an army. The center of a reliable and defensible transportation network made Bowling Green one of the state’s most strategic cities. The Louisville-Nashville Railroad, a system of roadways, and the Big Barren River could be relied upon to move men and supplies quickly and efficiently. Guns placed on the fortified hills around the city could easily defend these transportation routes. Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the Confederate defenses between the Appalachian Mountains and the Indian Territory, chose Bowling Green as his headquarters. A pro-Confederate state government formed in Russellville, the county seat of neighboring Logan County, in November 1861. It declared Kentucky to be a “free and independent state” and made Bowling Green the Capital of the Confederate State of Kentucky. By late 1861, Bowling Green became the heart of the Confederacy’s efforts in Kentucky.

The new year brought serious concern to the Confederate occupation force. A Union victory at Mill Springs, in Eastern Kentucky, on 19 January 1862, and General Grant’s victories at Forts Henry and Donelson to the west, made Bowling Green untenable for the Confederates. Union General Don Carlos Buell advanced his Army of the Ohio southward from the Green River. Under the command of General Ormsby Mitchel, Bowling Green was bombarded from across the Barren River. The Confederate army evacuated the city, and by mid-February 1862, the city fell into Union hands. Federal troops controlled Bowling Green and Kentucky for the rest of the war.

By 1864, there was a vigorous effort by the federal government to recruit and enlist slaves in Kentucky. Bowling Green and seven other military camps were designated to receive and protect those recruits.

1. Lost River Cave & Valley
2818 Nashville Road (US 31W)

Lost River Cave and Valley served as a camp for both Union and Confederate troops in this area. Lost River offered a natural water supply and the beauty of the cave provided a diversion from the ugliness of war. On one of his “lightning raids” into Kentucky, John Hunt Morgan allegedly hid in the cave when escaping from pursuing troops. There is an admission fee to tour Lost River Cave. For more information call 270 393-0077 or visit www.lostrivercave.com.

From I-65, take exit #22, US231, heading north.
0.7 miles turn left at intersection # 9 on Cave Mill Rd./Dishman Lane
3 miles turn right on US31W North
0.1 miles turn right into visitor parking at Lost River Cave

GPS Points: 36 57.209N/ 86 28.423W

Also visit Octagon Hall, about ten miles south of Lost River cave on US 31W. http://octagonhall.topcities.com/index.htm

2. " Jonesville” Historical Marker

This marker denotes the original site of Jonesville, an African American community that was founded in 1867 by Charles L. Jones, an emancipated slave. It is unknown how a black man, immediately after the war, would have had the resources to own so much land. The property may have been purchased with funds saved from his war service. This reconstruction era settlement grew to include several hundred residents, an elementary school, businesses, and two churches.

Turn right on US 31W North/Nashville Road
1.8 miles turn left on BUS 231/University Blvd.
0.5 miles continue straight at Hwy 68/80/Big Red Way intersection
The marker is just ahead on the right and permitted parking on the left. There is room for a short-term pull-off.

GPS Points: 36 58.979N/ 86 27.732W

3. The Kentucky Building & “Confederate State Capital of Kentucky” Historical Marker, US 68

The Kentucky Building houses the Kentucky Library, the Kentucky Museum and the Center for the Study of the Civil War, which have tremendous resources for Civil War research, including manuscripts, books, newspapers and artifacts. A small admission fee is charged at the Museum. The marker, located at the opposite corner of the building from the parking area, identifies Bowling Green as the State Capital. For more information, call 270-745-2592 or visit www.wku.edu/Library/kylm/.

Continue on Hwy 68/80/Big Red Way intersection
0.7 miles, on right side

GPS Points: 36 59.339N/ 86 27.253N

4. Fort Lytle, Western Kentucky University

Also known as Fort Albert Sidney Johnston, this fort is located at the summit of the hill on Western Kentucky University’s campus. The Confederate army began construction of this fort during its occupation of Bowling Green, but it was completed by Union forces. There is no readily available parking on weekdays.

Leaving the Kentucky Building turn right on Kentucky St.;
0.1 miles, turn right on 14th St.;
0.2 miles turn right on College St.; turn right on College Hill Heights;
stay left to enter hilltop campus at Gordon Wilson Hall;
0.1 miles take the first left, just past Van Meter Hall, to reach hilltop
parking lot.

GPS Points: 36 59.243N/ 86 27.153W

5. Grider House Private Residence
1320 Park Street

This antebellum home owned by a Union sympathizer, was captured by the Confederate Army. A garrison of soldiers was stationed to protect this house, which served as Kentucky’s Confederate Capitol Building. It was the residence of the Confederate Governor, and provisional government meetings took place there as well. This hill also contained a “lunette fort” and mounted three cannon.

0.2 miles follow one-way lane down from hilltop; turn left on Normal/ State St.
0.1 miles turn right on 14th St.
0.1 miles turn left at Park St.
Go 1/2 block, 1320 Park St. on right

GPS Points: 36 59.157N/ 86 26.669W

6. “College Hill” Historical Marker,
Main & Park Streets at entrance to Reservoir Park

Fort C.F. Smith was located south of town on College Hill, now referred to as Reservoir or Hospital Hill. Some of the limestone blocks used to build its walls and foundation are still visible, as well as earthworks constructed under the command of Colonel Benjamin Harrison, who later became President. This was the largest and most elaborate fort in Bowling Green’s defensive system. It was described as a large “bastion fort” and may have mounted up to 25 cannon. A highway marker is located at the corner of Main and Park Streets and a “John Hunt Morgan Trail” interpretive panel is located to the right of the picnic pavilion.

0.4 miles turn right at 4th stop sign onto Main St.
0.2 miles around reservoir to picnic pavilion at Fort C.F. Smith

GPS Points: 36 59.327N/ 86 26.227W

7. "Civil War Occupations” Historical Marker,
Main Street in Fountain Square Park

The marker describes the occupation of this area by both Confederate and Union troops. There is also a stone monument in Fountain Square Park that recognizes Bowling Green as the Confederate Capital of Kentucky. The Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected the monument on 10 December 1949.

Turn around and return down Main St. to Fountain Square Park and “Circle the Square”
0.5 miles to marker on Park Row side of Park

GPS Points: 36 59.581N/ 86 26.481W

8. “Warren County’s Chief USA Civil War Officers” Historical Marker,
Warren County Courthouse
429 10th Ave. East

This marker recognizes Warren County’s Chief Union Civil War Officers and lists those who received the Confederate Medals of Honor in 1863.

From the square, walk one block south on College Street to the Warren County Courthouse at the corner of College and 10th Streets.

GPS Points: 36 59.563N/ 86 26.567W

9. “Baker Hill” Historical Marker,
US 31W, Private Property

Fort Baker stood on a hill north of the city on Barren River to defend Bowling Green against the troops coming from the north and east. It was from here that Union General Ormsby Mitchel launched his bombardment of Bowling Green while the Confederate army evacuated the city. Sadly, this hill was partially leveled to develop the four-lane highway, US 31W.

From the square, turn left at Old Louisville Rd./State St.
1.5 miles to Fort Baker on left

GPS Points: 37 00.324N/ 85 25.235W

10. “A Civil War Defense Line” Historical Marker
1st Avenue

This general area of Bowling Green was used as a defensive line by both Confederate and Union Troops.

Return on Old Louisville Road/State Street
0.7 miles turn right on US 31W / Riverview Drive
Make an immediate right into the Mitch McConnell River Walk Park

GPS Points: 37 00.062N / 86 25.842W

11. Riverview at Hobson Grove Historic House Museum & “Hobson House” Historical Marker
1100 West Main Street

Construction of Riverview began in 1857 but was not completed until after the Civil War. During the occupation by both Confederate and Union troops, the house’s foundation and four walls were used as a fort, while the basement was used as an ammunition depot for the entire fortification system of Bowling Green. Today this house is fully restored and open to the public for a small admission fee. For more information call 270-843-5565. www.bgky.org/riverview

Leaving the park turn right on US 31W/ Riverview Drive
0.6 miles turn right on US 31W/Riverview Drive
Take first left, College Street
0.7 miles turn right at Main Street
1.1 miles turn left at Jackson Street
Take an immediate right and enter “Hobson Grove Park”

GPS Points: 37 00.694N/ 86 27.597W

12. James R. Hines Boatlanding Park
Boatlanding Road

The Big Barren River was a major contributing factor to making Bowling Green a strategic location for both armies. The river offered a plentiful supply of fresh water for the troops and it was an ideal way to move men and supplies quickly and efficiently. This area was protected by the guns of Fort Baker. Nearby was one of several military hospitals located in the Bowling Green area. This small park beside the river offers opportunities for fishing, boating and picnics.

Return to Jackson St. and turn left
0.2 miles turn left on Church St.
0.3 miles turn right on Power St.
0.5 miles turn left on Boatlanding Rd.
0.2 miles turn left at Boatlanding Park

GPS Points: 37 00.968N/ 86 26.577W

13. Fort Webb Park & “Fort Webb” Historical Marker
Beech Bend Road & Country Club Drive

Now located in a city park, this fort has retained its original configuration since the time it was constructed by the Confederate army. A historical marker explains its unusual earthworks which were described as a “lunette fort with embankments” and three mounted cannon. This marker also includes a map of Civil War fortifications in Bowling Green.

Turn left on Boatlanding Road
0.1 miles turn left on Hwy 185/Richardsville Rd.
0.2 miles turn right on Garvin Lane (or turn left here to see a restored one-lane bridge)
1.7 miles turn right on Beech Bend Road (or turn left here to see Beech Bend Park)
0.8 miles turn right at Country Club Drive (not a private drive)
0.1 miles to Fort Webb on the left

GPS Points: 37 00.778N/ 86 25.975W

14. Confederate Monument & “Home of Thomas Hines” Historical Marker
1209 Fairview Avenue

The Confederate Monument, located in Fairview Cemetery’s older section, was dedicated in 1876 before a crowd of 12,000. Several hundred bodies, moved to this site, are believed to be buried in concentric circles around the obelisk carved from local limestone. Outside the cemetery gates, a historical marker identifies Thomas Henry Hines, a Butler County native and Confederate spy who was known as the most dangerous man of the Confederacy.

Return on Country Club Drive to Beech Bend Road; turn right.
0.8 miles turn right on College Street
0.5 miles turn left on Hwy 234/Seventh Street
1.1 miles turn left into Fairview Cemetery

GPS Points: 36 59.524N/ 86 25.175W

15. Mt. Moriah Cemetery, St. Joseph’s Lane

Mt. Moriah Cemetery is an African-American graveyard established in the late 1870s. It includes several graves of Union soldiers. To locate the graves of Civil War soldiers, look for rectangular monuments with the inscription in a carved “shield.” Common abbreviations are “C. Inf.” for Colored Infantry, “Col” or “Col’d” for Colored, “USCC” for U.S. Colored Calvary, “USCHA” for U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery, “USCI” for U.S. Colored Infantry and “USCT” for Colored Troops. Charcoal or other types of “rubbings” of monuments causes deterioration of old stone. Instead, please use photographs as your souvenir.

Continue through the cemetery keeping to the right.
0.1 miles leave the cemetery at rear entrance on right and take an immediate left into the entrance for Mt. Moriah.

GPS Points: 36 59.784N/ 86 25.197W