The
History Of Brickyard Cafe
Welcome to the Brickyard Cafe, a
new addition to the rich History of Bowling Green. A lot on which the Brickyard
stands has been a part of Bowling Green longer than Chestnut Street. Originally
the lot faced Elm Street, which is located in the back behind the parking
lot. In the second half of the 19th century, a brickmason owned and operated
a brickyard on the property. Over time, the property has served as a brickyard,
a private family residence, a parsonage and most recently the restaurant.
One of Bowling Green's foremost
brick masons, Harrison Barner purchased the lot in 1854. He is known for
his work on many public and private residences in the area. Notable buildings
attributed to Harrison Barner include Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville
(1849), the Warren County Court House (1867-69) and Odeon Hall (1855.)
Much of the information about Harrison
Barner and the house at 1026 Chestnut would be lost if not for research
of Joseph S. Hays, a descendent. Around 1857, Harrison Barner built his
home on the lot and moved the Brickyard to a new location. The construction
date is estimated from a rare mention in Barner's Account book where he
calculate the measurements of his house for plastering in 1857. He and
his wife Catherine Allen Barner lived in the home until 1880 leaving a
landmark that has withstood the test of time. Today the building is home
of the Brickyard Cafe.
The brick core of the house is easily
visible in the dining rooms, bar and front hall. The house is a classic
I-house, two stories high, with a single story rear 'L". One of the more
astonishing features of the house is the solid brick walls which span a
foot in width. Diners will notice the thick walls in the window settings
and doorways. The mantel, the moldings and the front door hardware
are consistent with the style popular at the time the house was built.
Visitors to the restaurant will
be charmed by the recent adaptations made to the building. The mural on
the wall is the north coast of former Yugoslavia, a region heavily inflicted
by Italian cuisine. The owners of the Brickyard, Zeljko Simic and Robert
Stupar have brought a taste of the Adriatic Sea to Kentucky. The brickwork
in the bar, the tiled tables and the shake roofs were made by hand. The
Brickyard Cafe is a fine dining experience rich in tradition and it is
part of the vibrant history of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
