History

The Williams Building, constructed circa 1880, is an archetypal nineteenth century "two-part" commercial block building. Its importance rests not in its individual distinction, but more in the quiet contribution it makes to the architectural fabric of Fountain Square. The street level storefront accommodated public uses, such as retail or banking, while the upper level housed more private uses such as offices and meeting halls.

One of the most noteworthy occupants of the second floor was the Bowling Green City Council who used the space for the council chambers and city offices until a new city hall building was constructed on the corner of State and 10th Avenue circa 1898. After the city council vacated the space, the local YMCA used the upper quarters for games, physical training, bible classes and prayer meetings for young men. The name of the building salutes J. Mott Williams who operated a Men's Clothing Store in the storefront space from 1911 to 1940 and it is apparent from historic photographs that the name "Williams" appeared in the elaborate Victorian pediment that once decorated the cornice. At one time, The Kentucky-Tennessee Light & Power Company and United Way of Southern Kentucky had offices in the building and in the early 1950s, the popular WKU quartet, the Hilltoppers, sang in the Moose



Hall when it was located at this address. More recently, the building accommodated a sewing machine shop, financial institutions and law offices.

Hearsay
A deed search of the property revealed multiple transactions involving the ancestors of local attorney Frank Hampton Moore, Jr. who has fond memories of an annual family tradition of watching the Christmas Parade from the second floor windows.

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