Bowling Green in Warren County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Nahm Building

Photographed by Shane Oliver, April 24, 2021

1. The Nahm Building Marker

Inscription.

The Nahm Building. . ~~History~~ . The Nahm Building was constructed in 1888 by Emanuel Nahm for the E. Nahm and Co. Clothing, Hats and Shoes store. It enjoyed a prime location on Main Street in Fountain Square. During the latter part of the nineteenth century, Fountain Square had become the business, government and social center of the region.

Emanuel Nahm was one of four brothers who immigrated to the United States from Bavaria several years before the Civil War. After arriving in New Orleans, the Nahm brothers eventually settled in Bowling Green establishing some of the most successful businesses in the area. The E. Nahm and Company store served the community in this building from 1888 until 1930 becoming “the largest clothing and gents furnishing house in Southern Kentucky.” Just a few doors down the street at 440 Main, Moses and Benjamin Nahm owned the Nahm Brothers Dry Goods store, another brother Samuel, sold wholesale products a block east on State Street. After being in business for 69 years, the E. Nahm and Company store closed in 1930 with “the most drastic sale of modern age.” The Nahms continued in business opening the Nahm Brothers Insurance Agency in this building.

The Nahm Building retains its architectural integrity and character. The limestone façade with the original decorative cornice with the sunburst motifs and Italianate brackets, inset windows and cast iron columns and pilaster all contribute to it being one of the most significant building in downtown Bowling Green. The building was rehabilitate using the historic preservation tax credits in the 1980s.

~~Hearsay~~~ . At his death 1958, Max Nahm, Emanuel Nahm’s only son, was considered southern Kentucky’s wealthiest citizen with an estate worth over two million dollars. His daughter, Emanie (Nahm) Sachs Arling Phillips (1883-1981) moved to New York City in the “roaring twenties” and became the author of several novels based on people and sites in Bowling Green, including Talk, published in 1924, which describes Fountain Square under a fictional name.

~~National Register~~~ . The Nahm Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Heritage Walk Bowling Green

~~History~~
The Nahm Building was constructed in 1888 by Emanuel Nahm for the E. Nahm & Co. Clothing, Hats & Shoes store. It enjoyed a prime location on Main Street in Fountain Square. During the latter part of the nineteenth century, Fountain Square had become the business, government and social center of the region.

Emanuel Nahm was one of four brothers who immigrated to the United States from Bavaria several years before the Civil War. After arriving in New Orleans, the Nahm brothers eventually settled in Bowling Green establishing some of the most successful businesses in the area. The E. Nahm & Company store served the community in this building from 1888 until 1930 becoming “the largest clothing and gents furnishing house in Southern Kentucky.” Just a few doors down the street at 440 Main, Moses and Benjamin Nahm owned the Nahm Brothers Dry Goods store, another brother Samuel, sold wholesale products a block east on State Street. After being in business for 69 years, the E. Nahm & Company store closed in 1930 with “the most drastic sale of modern age.” The Nahms continued in business opening the Nahm Brothers Insurance Agency in this building.

The Nahm Building retains its architectural integrity and character. The limestone façade with the original decorative cornice

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with the sunburst motifs and Italianate brackets, inset windows and cast iron columns and pilaster all contribute to it being one of the most significant building in downtown Bowling Green. The building was rehabilitate using the historic preservation tax credits in the 1980s.

~~Hearsay~~~
At his death 1958, Max Nahm, Emanuel Nahm’s only son, was considered southern Kentucky’s wealthiest citizen with an estate worth over two million dollars. His daughter, Emanie (Nahm) Sachs Arling Phillips (1883-1981) moved to New York City in the “roaring twenties” and became the author of several novels based on people and sites in Bowling Green, including Talk, published in 1924, which describes Fountain Square under a fictional name.

~~National Register~~~
The Nahm Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Heritage Walk Bowling Green

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky, Bowling Green Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 36° 59.608′ N, 86° 26.46′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in Warren County. It is on 422 E. Main Street. Marker is on the side of the Nahm Building (that is next to the theater, and

The Nahm Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 24, 2011

2. The Nahm Building

alley way). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowling Green KY 42101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Pennyroyal Region.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fountain Square (a few steps from this marker); Princess Theatre (a few steps from this marker); Morris Jewelry (within shouting distance of this marker); Getty Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 422 1/2 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Barr Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Occupations (within shouting distance of this marker); Gerard Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.

Also see . . .
1. Samuel, Emanuel, Moses, Benjamin Nahm. Findagrave links the Six brothers to their father Simon Nahm (Submitted on September 28, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. Downtown Heritage Walk. (Submitted on September 8, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 24, 2011

3. The Nahm Building

Photographed by Tom Bosse

4. The Nahm Building

Nahm Building as seen from the Lampkin Gate at Fountain Square Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, April 24, 2021

5. Nahm Building as seen from the Lampkin Gate at Fountain Square Park

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 5. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.