Bloomington, the county seat of McLean County, Illinois, was founded in 1830. About midway between Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri, it is located next to Normal (north). Originally known as Keg Grove, the property was renamed Blooming Grove due to the abundance of wildflowers in the region when it was inhabited in 1822. Bloomington was renamed in 1831 when the town was built out and established. A plaque marks the location where Abraham Lincoln gave his "lost speech" against slavery at a Republican Party conference in Illinois in 1856. Farming (especially maize and soybeans), cattle husbandry, and the production of farm seeds are the city's primary sources of income, although insurance and the manufacturing of confectionery and vacuum cleaners are also significant.
First two decades of the 20th century saw Bloomington grow even more than it did before. Farming, the construction of highways and railroads, and the growth of the insurance business (mostly State Farm Insurance) all played a role in the growth of Bloomington and its downtown area over time. The downtown area became a place where people from other counties came to shop. They got stronger.
In 1977, Ray and Irene Denbesten established Denbesten Real Estate in Bloomington, Illinois. Their daughter, Cathy Denbesten, now runs the business. Call them right now at (309) 6662-4228 if you need assistance purchasing or selling a house.
The city had a population of 76,610 people and a total of 30,454 homes in the 2010 census. 2,814.8 people per square mile (1,099.5/km2) was the population density. At an average density of 1,261.5 units per square mile (492.8/km2), there were 34,339 dwelling units. There were 77.5 percent White residents, 10.1% African Americans, 0.3 percent Native Americans, 7.0% Asian, 1.42 percent other races, and 2.9% people who identified as two or more races in the city as a whole. 5.6 percent of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
City: The median income for a family in the city was $81,166. This is how it worked out: Males made $56,597 on average compared to $38,190 on average for women. There was $32,672 in per capita income in the city. Families: 5.7 percent of families and 11.0 percent of the population were living below the poverty line. This included 12.6 percent of people under 18 and 6.3 percent of people who were 65 or older.
The Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department operates the 200' by 85' full-size ice sheet at the Bloomington Ice Center (formerly the Pepsi Ice Center). There are skating classes, public skating sessions, a hockey program, learn-to-curl programs, and a concessions stand at the facility.
1976: People who want to build a new public library start a group called "Followers of the Library." They want voters to let bonds be sold that will raise money for the library. The campaign worked, and the library reopened in 1977 at 205 East Olive Street as "Bloomington Public Library." Public programs are still available at the library. One of them is a Bookmobile, which was first called "Library on Wheels" in 1926. It delivers books to people in their own neighborhood.
6:00am to 10:00pm: Parks are open from 6:00am to 10:00pm. Alcoholic drinks and smoking are not allowed, and pets are allowed in all parks on a leash. These parks often have water spray parks, elaborate playgrounds, miniature golf, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, cricket grounds, and lighted tennis courts, among other things. The Evergreen Racket Club has indoor courts for tennis. O'Neil Park (to the west) and Holiday Park (to the east) both have outdoor public swimming pools (east). The YMCA, YWCA, and private health clubs all have indoor swimming pools.
East of Towanda-Barnes Road, the east–west axis meets the north axis at the Normal City Hall Annex. Beginning at Commerce Drive and ending at the Old Farm Lakes Subdivision, the Liberty Branch is Lincoln Street is the starting point of the Freedom Branch, which finishes at Route 9 West. There are many adjacent parking lots in the vicinity where you may park. Walking, running, in-line skating, skateboarding, and other non-motorized modes of mobility are permitted on the path. As long as the weather permits, it's open to skiers throughout the winter months.
One of the oldest community theaters, the Community Players Theater, is situated on Robinhood Lane off of Towanda Avenue and is entirely operated by volunteers. The theater, which first opened its doors in 1923, just celebrated its 88th season.
In 1916, Balaban & Katz, the original creators of the traditional cinema palace, built the Castle Theatre with a 1,000-seat capacity. The property has long been regarded as a top tourist attraction in the region. A $1.5 million makeover has brought the Castle back to its former splendour. Live music, corporate, public, and private events may be found at the Castle nowadays.
At least 200 music majors and a few hundred other IWU students use the Westbrook Auditorium each year. During each semester, there are a lot of musical performances of all kinds, and most concerts are free and open to the public.
USA Ballet is an international ballet company that turned 21 in 2011. USA Ballet has workshops for kids and does outreach programs. They perform at Illinois Wesleyan University's McPherson Theater three times a year.
The 92nd season of American Passion Play is the country's longest continually staged Passion Play. The Passion Play, which takes place each spring at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, is situated in Palestine and depicts the full life of Jesus Christ.
An open-air Elizabethan theatre at historic Ewing Manor hosts the Illinois Shakespeare Festival every summer. Pre-show entertainment includes strolling Madrigals, jesters, and other performers, as well as a Green Show.
Every July in Downtown Bloomington, the Lincoln's Bloomington Festival comprises Civil War reenactments, traditional craft displays, children's activities, musical performances, presentations, and tours.
The McLean County Fair is billed as the '"Home of the World's Largest County 4-H Fair" taking place each August at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington. 4-H activities include: livestock shows, a film festival, and exhibits around food, nutrition & health, plant science, engineering & technology, and environment & natural resources. Evening Grandstand Entertainment has tractor pulls and different musical acts.
Architect Phil Hooten built Ewing Manor in Bloomington, and he used the Channel-Norman style that was popular with the rich in the post-Victorian era to make it. Jens Jensen, a well-known landscape architect who also designed Springfield's Lincoln Memorial Gardens, made the gardens around the statue. In the summer, the theater on the grounds hosts the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
The McLean County Museum of History traces its roots back to 1892, the year the McLean County Historical Society was founded. Housed inside the old McLean County Courthouse, the museum features permanent and rotating exhibits that explore the history of Central Illinois. This location is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is a pavilion in Miller Park
In 1977, the Miller Park Pavilion & War Memorial was repaired, and in May 1988, it was re-dedicated. Red walkways surround the black granite monument, which display the names of Central Illinois people killed or missing in action during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
A Bell Sea Cobra, a Huey helicopter, and an F-14 Tomcat are among the restored aircraft on exhibit at the Prairie Aviation Museum.
When the old Montefiore synagogue was destroyed, the building that used to be there is one of the few Moorish revival buildings in Illinois. It is also one of the oldest synagogue buildings in the United States.
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts offers Behind the Curtain Tours led by a group of specially trained docents. The tours showcase the neo-Classical interior design of the building and explain all of the building's updates and renovations.
Both groups and individuals may take a tour of Judge David Davis's 36-room mansion at the David Davis Mansion. Visitors may learn more about the history of the American West by examining items and tales related to the Davis family. Family history (with an emphasis on children), servant life, domestic life and technology at the beginning of the industrial revolution, and Victorian architecture are some of the specific topics covered.
It is available on CD from the McLean County Museum of History. It features President Abraham Lincoln as a returning visitor, discussing his travels and their significance. The audio tour includes: Jesse Fell's law office; Asahel Gridley's home; the Miller-Davis Building; and 14 other sites.
The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau runs Twin City Tours of Bloomington and Normal every month. The McLean County Museum of History is where the tours start and end.
Eastland Mall is the main shopping center in Bloomington. This is where most people go to buy things. Eastland Mall has stores like Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Applebee's, Buckle, Finish Line, Limited, Old Navy, Rogers & Hollands, Talbot's, and more, as well as a lot of fun things to do. As a result, the mall has been going downhill in the last few years. This is in line with the general decline of shopping malls in the United States, though.
Beer Nuts Brand Snacks are solely produced in Bloomington, Illinois. It is possible to take a video tour of the Beer Nuts Brand Snacks facility in Bloomington, as well as learn more about its history.
Some of Bloomington's private schools are also there, like Central Catholic High School, Corpus Christi Catholic School, Epiphany Elm./Jr. School, St. Mary's Catholic School, St. Mary's Catholic School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Cornerstone Christian Academy Bloomington students can also go to Metcalf Elm./Jr. School and University High School, which are both lab schools at Illinois State University.
The magnificent dome of the McLean County Museum of History serves as a landmark to identify the city's historic centre. The courthouse plaza is flanked by turn-of-the-century buildings, many of which have unique histories. Museums, banks, a legal and governmental center, residential living, a large artists' community, as well as a variety of specialty retail businesses and supportive services are all available to visitors. There are many restaurants to choose from, as well as a vibrant nightlife.