The 1917 Pike County Courthouse anchors the town square in the centre of Bowling Green, and it is a handsome example of the civic architecture that small Missouri counties built during the early 20th century. The square around it holds a three-part war memorial that honours the approximately 1,300 Pike County residents who served in conflicts from the World Wars through to Desert Storm — a striking number for such a small county, and a testament to how thoroughly these conflicts touched every corner of rural America.
The statue of Champ Clark at the courthouse's south entrance is the town's most photographed landmark. The square itself is the practical centre of Bowling Green life, lined with small businesses and a good place to get a sense of the town before heading out to the Amish community or the Mississippi River.