Bowling Green, Missouri  

The name was given to this city by families who  came here from Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Four hundred feet above the Mississippi and 12 miles distant from it, the site of Bowling Green was selected because of a big spring; the only ready source of water in the area.  The city is located at the beginning of the prairie.  Open land lies to the west and south hills and valleys to the north and east. 

The first settler was John Walter Basye, a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, who first moved to Louisiana, Missouri, but purchased land in the Bowling Green Area on December 23, 1818, only ten days after Pike county was formed.  As more and more settlers came to the area, the city began to grow and the first school was organized in 1825 by Edmond Basye.

In 1923, a centennial celebration was held with festivities and events.  In 1973, the town celebrated the sesquicentennial birthday.

The city is fortunate to have good transportation facilities.  U.S. Hwy. 61 and a part of the "Avenue of the Saints", carries traffic north and south.  U.S. Hwy 54 carries east and west traffic with one railroad, Gateway Western, running east and west.

A number of well-known families have lived in the area.  Most well-known and famous of all of them was the Champ Clark family.  Champ Clark lived in Bowling Green from 1880 until his death in 1921.  He was elected to Congress in 1893 in which, except for the 1895-97 term, he served continuously until 1921.  He was elected Speaker of the House in 1911 and served there until 1919; the only Missourian to serve in this position.  During the 1912 Democratic Convention he came within a few votes of being nominated for President.  Following his father into public service was Bennett Champ Clark who was a two-term United States Senator for Missouri.  He was elected in 1932 and 1938.  He was one of the founders of the American Legion.

An organization formed by Judge William L. Hungate restored the old Champ Clark Home which has been declared a National Historic Landmark and is known as Honey Shuck.

The present courthouse was built in 1917; a fine structure that is well worth the visit.  A statue of Champ Clark graces the south lawn; an attractive war memorial of unusual design dedicated on November 11, 1991 is also on the lawn.

Bowling Green is recognized for its triple-A rated school system with excellent administrative staff and teachers.  The city is fortunate to have many fine churches of various denominations, as well as, several lighted ball diamonds, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, well-maintained city park and two reservoirs where picnicking and fishing are permitted.

Bowling Green is an agriculture center with many agriculture-related businesses.