State Street fire uncovers history of structure

BOWLING GREEN Ky. – The building that was destroyed by a fire in downtown on Friday has historical significance, but not necessarily in the ways that might be most obvious.

A great deal of the materials used in its original construction have become somewhat of a rarity in the Bowling Green community. Specifically, the existence of Warren County limestone, a material that was used throughout the nation at in the latter part of the 19th and early 20th century. The brick used in its construction also has a similar origin and rarity, having been produced locally at the time the structure was built.

“We’re looking at the remains of a building that, you’ve got hand carved limestone, you’ve got bricks that are more likely than not were made in Warren county and those types of materials simply do not exist in new buildings. That alone makes it architecturally significant in my opinion,” Nick Rabold of the BG Landmark Association said.