Bowling Green in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Echoes Of The Past: Prospect & Wooster
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 21, 2024
1. Echoes Of The Past: Prospect & Wooster Marker
Methodist Churches
From 1872 until 1968, the northwest corner of E. Wooster and N. Prospect Streets was the home of two Methodist church buildings. Although Methodism in Bowling Green dates back to the late 1830's, the early congregation initially met in a log schoolhouse and later in a small church which they shared with other denominations on northwest corner of S. Main and W. Washington Streets.
Wanting a church building of their own, the Bowling Green Methodists purchased property at the northwest corner of E. Wooster and N. Prospect Streets for a new church. Construction on the red brick structure was started in 1869 but not completed until 1872. The church spire was not added until a few years later. The church had a seating capacity of 250 and cost $6200 to construct.
By the mid-1890's it became apparent that the red brick church was not adequate for the growing congregation. In 1897 and it was decided to spend $24,000 on the new church which would be constructed of stone. The old brick church was razed in June 1898 and construction was begun on the new stone church. The beautiful new church was dedicated on
this page online
In addition to serving the congregation, the church also served as the first library for the new Bowling Green Normal School (now BGSU) until their new library (now the McFall Center) could be built on campus.
By the mid 1960's the needs of the congregation had changed. Lack of parking was an issue as well as the maintenance of the older building. In 1968, a new Methodist church was constructed at 1526 E. Wooster St. The beautiful stone church was demolished and the land was sold to become a gas station and convenience store.
Russell House & Ross Hotel
For almost 110 years, hotels were located on the northeast corner of E. Wooster and N. Prospect Streets. The first was the Russell House, a wood frame hotel built in 1870 by Larry Burns. Stable services were provided for the guests. In 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Russell sold the hotel to Charles and Rebecca Ross, who had previously managed the Lease House at the Four Corners. The name was then changed to the Ross Hotel.
In April 1922, the wooden structure was replaced by a modern brick hotel. It contained 40 rooms and opened on November 30 of that year. It was also
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 21, 2024
2. Echoes Of The Past: Prospect & Wooster Marker
The Ross continued to be used as a hotel until December 12, 1979, when it was destroyed by fire.
For over 74 years, three generations of the Ross family operated hotels in Bowling Green, In addition to operating the Ross Hotel, the family also previously operated the former Lease House at the southeast corner of E. Wooster and S. Main Streets and the "New Ross Hotel" in the Brown Block on the southeast corner of E. Court and N. Main Streets.
After the fire, the hotel was razed and the site of the former Ross Hotel sat empty for nearly 35 years. Then in 2015 a local developer converted the vacant lot into a strip of commercial establishments and apartments.
Erected 2024 by Bowling Green, OH Historic Preservation Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1922.
Location. 41° 22.489′ N, 83° 38.917′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Ohio, in Wood County. It is at the intersection of East Wooster Street and South Prospect Street, on the right when traveling east on East Wooster Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 E Wooster St, Bowling Green OH 43402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp, in the Till Plains, and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vanished Gathering Places (a few steps from this marker); Court Street Connections (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bowling Green's Interurban & Rail Line (about 500 feet away); Commerce & Finance In Old Bowling Green (about 500 feet away); Wood County WWI & WWII Memorial (about 500 feet away); Wood County In The Civil War (about 500 feet away); Wood County Congressional Medal Of Honor Recipients (about 500 feet away); The Four Corners (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.
Other markers no longer nearby. Wood County Flag Monument (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Wood County World War I & II Veterans Memorial (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
