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

Ernest Hogan

Photographed By Chad Comer

1. Ernest Hogan Marker (reverse)

Inscription. Born Reuben Crowdus on April 17, 1865 in Bowling Green, Ky. He left home at age 12 to sing in minstrel shows. He became prominent as a songwriter in the 1890s. In 1895, he wrote “La Pas Ma La” & promoted it as first published ragtime song. Many regarded him as the “Father of Ragtime,” a new genre of music, from which many other types of music developed.

(Reverse):
A pioneer in black entertainment, he was one of the best-known and highest-paid performers of early ragtime era. He starred in major minstrels, vaudeville, and musical comedy. In 1898, Hogan had the starring role in the first black show to play in major Broadway theatre. He died on May 20, 1909 and is buried in the Mt. Moriah cemetery.

Erected 2008 by Skip Bond & The Fugitives, Kentucky Department of Highways, Kentucky Historical Society. (Marker Number 2282.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1862.

Location. 36° 59.987′ N, 86° 26.24′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in Warren County. Marker is

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on 401 Kentucky Street (U.S. 68), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowling Green KY 42101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); A Civil War Defense Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Rifle Trench (within shouting distance of this marker); Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); College Street Commercial Development (approx. ¼ mile away); Residential Architecture (approx. ¼ mile away); An African American Neighborhood (approx. ¼ mile away); Standard Filling Station No. 1 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.

Ernest Hogan Marker Opposite Side of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 24, 2011

2. Ernest Hogan Marker Opposite Side of Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 977 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. 2. submitted on September 26, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.