Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/19/2003
NRHP Listing Date 05/22/2003
NRHP Reference Number 03000439
The Bowling Green Historic District in Caroline County includes the heart of one of the largest of Virginia’s picturesque courthouse towns. It was named for Bowling Green, a plantation whose main house, known as Old Mansion, still exists within the southern edge of this district. For more than two centuries, the district has served as the county seat, centered around its handsome courthouse built in the style of Thomas Jefferson, and by builders he personally trained. The town’s buildings demonstrate a variety of architectural styles including Federal, Gothic and Greek Revivals, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival. At some points, farm lands come right to the edges of the Bowling Green Historic District, and several residences sit on large parcels of land. The commercial area has suffered two fires, but has been rebuilt in a scale and massing that happily are well-suited to the historic district. Bowling Green is a town of great variety, yet quite harmonious, being unified by many fine trees.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: April 20, 2023
