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Hotels | Restaurants | Entertainment

The inns and taverns of pioneering days had long since been replaced in Bowling Green by hotels. The two featured in the DEMOCRAT article, below, were the ones which aspired to compete, however modestly, with the grand hotels of big cities. Like them, they also featured well-appointed dining rooms which provided meals to local citizens as well as to guests. Restaurants described not only their delicious meals, but also the cleanliness and wholesome atmosphere they wanted to promote, assuring customers of refined taste that Bowling Green could compete with the best that large cities had to offer. Taverns and saloons were exclusively men's domains, where social bonds were forged.

 Hotels

 Hotel Millikin, C. L. Stough, Prop.

The success of a hotel depends upon its reputation with the traveling public, and this is only gained through the ability of the management to meet the demands of the guests in every particular. Such has been the good fortune of the Hotel Millikin under the management of Mr. C. L. Stough, and it stands to-day with as popular reputation as any hotel in the state of Ohio. This hotel was completed by Mr. W. H. Millikin, the owner, in January 1897, and is a magnificent three-story brick structure, having
a large number of well furnished rooms for guests, large and bright dining room, a spacious office and the best arranged sample rooms. Throughout the Hotel Millikin is elegantly furnished, supplied with an elevator and bath rooms, lighted by electricity, heated by steam, and most orderly kept at all times. To all this, with a superior and excellent culinary department, is largely due to the popularity of the house.
	Mr. Stough is one of the most able hotel men in the country, having had experience in New York state and at St. Louis, Mo., and by energetic and courteous methods he has made himself and "The Millikin" general favorites with the traveling public. The traveling
men swear by The Millikin and under such favorable management the Hotel will doubtless continue to have the cream of public patronage. It speaks well for the city to have such as elegant and modern hotel and Mr. W. H. Millikin has by investing his money so liberally shown that he has faith in Bowling Green's future growth and prosperity. Mr. Millikin is a leading oil producer and prominent citizen, and always being enterprising and progressive, he has won a well merited success, and the esteem of all who know him. --Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900

 Russell House, Mrs. C. C. Ross, Prop.

The first question that confronts the traveler is, "Where can I get good and comfortable accommodations for a reasonable amount of money." The majority of travelers to-day are not possessed of too large a surplus of money and this question is most important to them. When Mrs. Ross succeeded Mrs. Russell here five years ago, she had this fact in mind and she has always served the populace in a satisfactory manner at liberal prices.

The hotel at the corner of Wooster and Prospect streets has nice sleeping apartments, a large dining room and a comfortable office, and throughout is so well regulated that here the traveler and the boarder can find a most pleasant home.

Mrs. Ross is fully competent to conduct a hotel in a first class manner, and it is the wish of her friends and THE DEMOCRAT that success may continue to crown her efforts.

--Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900

 Restaurants

 Ireland's Restaurant, M. A. Ireland, Prop.

No matter how substantial a meal may be, you want it carefully prepared and served. This is why so many particular people eat at Ireland's Restaurant at No. 8 North Main street. It is a most popular resort and is open day and night for serving patrons with the most excellent meals and lunches, consisting of select meats, choice vegetables and the very best coffee. A specialty is made of short orders, and all the delicacies of the market are kept in season. Cigars and candies of the choicest and freshest kind can also be had here.

Mr. Ireland is one of the most competent restaurant men in this part of the state, and appreciating what the people require, he makes it a point to give it to them. Too much cannot be said regarding Mr. Ireland's ability in this line, and all who have become acquainted with his place in the eight years that he has conducted it, will bear me out in saying that it is one of the neatest, cleanest and best managed eating houses in Ohio. The people in general appreciate this fact, and Mr. Ireland has built up a patronage which reflects his popularity and enterprise.

--Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900

 Model Restaurant, Jameson & Carter, Props.

There is an establishment of high character, and the proprietors, Messrs. G. N. Jameson and A. G. Carter, are in a position to cater to a first-class trade. They took charge of this old established stand eight months ago, and located at No. 13 North Main street, opposite the post office. It is handsomely furnished, well arranged and nicely kept.

Their meals and short orders are in great demand because of their wholesome and appetizing character, and Messrs. Jameson & Carter are demonstrating that they are capable of supplying the requirements of a fastidious trade. Only the best meats, vegetables, coffees and pastry goods are served at "The Model," and those who appreciate first-class meals eat there.

A nice line of candies, cigars and tobaccos is also carried, and a rapidly increasing list of patrons shows that Messrs. Jameson & Carter's efforts are receiving the recognition that they deserve.

--Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900

 Senate Cafe, McKenzie & Smith, Props.

"There are five reasons why men drink:
Good wine, a friend, because I'm dry,
Or any other reason why."

And when you want the best, and the best served in the best manner, go to the Senate Café on North Main street. Here Messrs McKenzie & Smith make it a point to serve their patrons with the best goods and to treat them in the best manner possible. They have all the leading brands of "wet good" and serve the most tempting lunches, and "there is no reason why" you can't get just what you want here.

Messrs. McKenzie & Smith are the kind of men who believe in treating everybody right, and in the 15 months that they have been in business as above, they have won a measure of public confidence and esteem that is hard to beat.

--Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900

 Entertainment

 C. R. Cook, Livery & Bowling Alley

In the rear of the Hotel Brown on Court street, Mr. Cook conducts a well stocked and equipped livery, feed and sale stable, while his bowling alley is one of the best in the state. His stable is well arranged and stocked and besides furnishing the most handsome turnouts, he makes a specialty of feeding teams for farmers and others. His horses are stylish and reliable, his vehicles the best, and services are guaranteed to be in every way satisfactory, while prices are reasonable.

The bowling alley, conducted in connection, is of the best make and regulation size, and here those enjoying this most popular of indoor manly sports will find their wants carefully attended to.

Mr. Cook has been in this business here for the past seven months, and has conducted it with such energy and ability, and is so popular with the people, that he enjoys a well merited patronage and is very successful.

--Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900

 Diamond Saloon

One of the coziest and neatest resorts in this part of the state is "The Diamond" which was opened by Mr. W. H. Hefflemier three years ago and it has justly become a favorite with the public. Mr. Hefflemier makes it a point to carry in stock such goods as are pure and free from all suspicions of adulterations, and at "The Diamond" No. 11 North Main street, you will find the choicest of wines, whiskies, ales, beers and cigars. He can furnish you with most any kind of drink that you may want, and it will be served in a most appetizing manner, too.

These are points that have made "The Diamond" a popular resort, and Mr. Hefflemier is a highly esteemed citizen, who has the good will of the public and is doing a good business.

--Wood County Democrat, February 16, 1900