The Hobson Family

The Hobson Family. . , The Hobson Home , Situated beside the Barren River and atop a hill, Atwood and Juliette Hobson's lovely Italianate style house captured the breeze as well as people's attention. Started before the Civil War, the conflict prevented the house from being finished until 1872., Atwood Hobson's Many Interests , Riverview Farm at Hobson Grove was prosperous due to the talents of its owner, a banker and former Circuit Court Clerk. Hobson was known to breed, train and sell thoroughbred horses, import horticultural specimens from other states, and drill for natural gas on his property. After the elder Hobson's death, his children continued as active participants in Bowling Green's social life., A Trapeze in the Cupola , Hobson's Grove hosted the circus when it arrived by rail in the early 1900s. Rich memories of Bowling Green's citizens document the fun-filled times associated with the circus parade and its performers. Young George Anna requested a trapeze after she watched the circus. The cupola, which is situated on top of the house to catch the breeze and cool the house, hold her trapeze., Skating, Boating, Shooting Trap , Family photographs of the extended Hobson family illustrate an avid interest in athletics and the outdoors as the family swam and boated on the river. Shooting trap was a favorite activity among the Hobson children. Granddaughter George Anna won the Women's Amateur Clay Target Championship on North American in 1924 at the age of sixteen. Youngest son George even competed and became a champion ice skater when he attended business school in New York., Saving the Hobson Home , The Hobson House deteriorated over time. Its future became precarious after fires damaged the interior, leaving it unsafe to occupy. The City purchased it in 1965 and worked with the Hobson House Association to preserve the structure and interpret the history of the Hobson family., [Captions:] , Atwood Hobson and his daughters sit in front of flower pots filled with specimens. Hobson, and avid horticulturist, died in 1898., A Hobson family outing on the Barren River, ca 1920., George Atwood Hobson skating in Ithaca, New York, Clockwise from the top: George Anna Hobson with her father George Atwood Hobson shooting skeet at Riverview; George Anna Hobson; George Anna Hobson and a young companion discuss shooting in Nashville., The Hobson House Association worked to save Riverview from destruction in 1966. The organization still donates time and money to interpret the Hobson family's history and care for the house., William Hobson served in the Union army. He was one of the youngest men to attain the rank of colonel during the Civil War. You can learn more about William and Hobson family when you visit Riverview.