Self-Guided Visit
Dine at the Getty Building
Dinner and bar service in one of Bowling Green's oldest commercial structures. The Getty Building was constructed in 1871; the marker describes an unnamed female apparition.
- Age:
- All Ages
No photograph
on file
Est. 1871on file
HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena, as catalogued
- 01Objects Moved Without Explanation
- 02Unexplained Sounds
- 03Sense of Presence
Haunted Dining / Bar
440 Main Restaurant (Getty Building)
An 1871 Bowling Green landmark where WBKO recounts 'Mary' as a dancer who fell, with balcony or stairs unclear; the historic marker separately mentions an unnamed female apparition.
440 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 2 sources
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$
Restaurant pricing; no cover for paranormal experience
Access
Wheelchair OK
Downtown ground-floor restaurant; paved sidewalks
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1871 · One of Bowling Green's Oldest Commercial Buildings · Heritage Walk Historic Plaque · Post-Civil War Warren County Architecture
The Getty Building rose in 1871 during Bowling Green's post-Civil War commercial rebuild, making it among the oldest standing structures in Warren County. Its brick facade along East Main Avenue has weathered multiple tenants over more than 150 years. The building takes its name from the Getty family, who owned it in its early decades. A Heritage Walk historic plaque installed on the exterior documents both the building's architectural significance and the resident legend attached to it.
The second floor long served as a residential apartment above the commercial ground floor — a common arrangement in 19th-century downtown buildings. A WBKO report recounts a woman called Mary who fell while dancing; whether she fell from a balcony or stairs is unclear. The marker separately mentions an unnamed female apparition.
440 Main restaurant now occupies the ground floor, and staff have described unexplained activity in a back closet where books are reportedly moved without explanation. A 2025 WBKO report covered the building's haunted reputation with interviews of current staff.
Sources
- https://www.wbko.com/2025/10/18/hometown-hauntings-exploring-haunting-440-main/
- https://www.hauntjaunts.net/the-haunted-places-of-bowling-green-kentucky/
Objects Moved Without ExplanationUnexplained SoundsSense of Presence
The Heritage Walk marker describes an unnamed female apparition; WBKO separately recounts Mary as a dancer who fell, with balcony or stairs unclear. Staff interviewed by WBKO in 2025 described the closet disturbances as consistent and unexplained.
The WBKO account does not resolve whether Mary fell from a balcony or stairs. The reported phenomena are mild by dark tourism standards: moved objects, occasional unexplained sounds, and a presence described as unsettling rather than violent. The building's age and the plaque's acknowledgment make 440 Main a credible inclusion in Bowling Green's documented haunted geography.
Notable Entities
Mary (WBKO fall account, identity unknown)
Media Appearances
- Hometown Hauntings: Exploring the Haunting at 440 Main (television news, 2025)
Plan Your Visit
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 440 Main Restaurant (Getty Building) family-friendly?
Working restaurant; ghost story is mild and documented through historic signage rather than theatrical presentation. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit 440 Main Restaurant (Getty Building)?
Restaurant pricing; no cover for paranormal experience
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is 440 Main Restaurant (Getty Building) wheelchair accessible?
Yes, 440 Main Restaurant (Getty Building) is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Downtown ground-floor restaurant; paved sidewalks.