The Bowling Green Historic District in Caroline County includes the heart of one of the largest and most picturesque of Virginia’s courthouse towns. It was named for Bowling Green, a plantation whose main house, known as Old Mansion, still exists within the southern edge of this district. For more than two centuries, the town has served as the county seat, centered around its handsome courthouse built in the style of Thomas Jefferson, and by builders he personally trained. The town’s buildings demonstrate a variety of architectural styles including Federal, Gothic and Greek Revivals, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival. At some points, farm lands come right to the edges of the Bowling Green Historic District, and several residences sit on large parcels of land. The commercial area has suffered two fires, but has been rebuilt in a scale and massing that happily are well-suited to the historic district. Bowling Green is a town of great variety, yet quite harmonious, being unified by many fine trees.