Bloomington, Illinois

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During the early 1800s, the Kickapoo people lived in a large grove near the Bloomington area. Before the first European settlers came to the area, the Kickapoo lived there. On December 25, 1830, when McLean County was formed, Bloomington was chosen as the county seat. It came from the settlement of Keg Grove, which later became Blooming Grove.

Even Abraham Lincoln, a lawyer in neighboring Springfield, Illinois, came to trade and transact business at the town's core, which is now called Downtown Bloomington. John W. Fell, founder of the Bloomington Pantagraph and major local real estate developer, proposed the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1854 and urged Lincoln to run for President.

The old city hall and the police station were still there, but there was a fire in a laundry across the street from them in 1900. There was a fire and he called the fire department. Most of the downtown was destroyed, especially the areas north and east of the courthouse. George Miller and Paul O. Moratz, two architects who live in the area, quickly rebuilt the area that had been burned down with their designs.

Ray and Irene Denbesten founded Denbesten Real Estate in 1977 in Bloomington, IL. Their daughter, Cathy Denbesten, now runs it. You may reach them at (309) 6662-4228 for assistance.

People lived in the city as of the 2010 census. There were 76,610 people and 30,454 homes in the city. It had a population density of 2,814.8 people per square mile (1,099.5 people per km2). Average density was 1,261.5 units per square mile (492.8 units per km2). There were 34,339 housing units. People in the city were 77.5 percent white, 10.2 percent African American, 0.3 percent Native American, 7.0 percent Asian, 1.42 percent from other races, and 2.9 percent from two or more races, according to a study. There were 5.6 percent of the people in the United States who were Hispanic or Latino.

One of Illinois' fastest-growing urban areas is Bloomington and McLean County. Between 1990 and 2006, the population of the region increased by 28%. Bloomington's population grew by 15.7 percent in less than six years, according to a special census performed by the U.S. Census Bureau in February 2006.

The city's median household income was $58,662, while the family's median income was $81,166. Males had a median income of $56,597, while females had a median income of $39,190. The city's per capita income was $32,672. Around 5.7 percent of households and 11.0 percent of the population were poor, with 12.6 percent of those under 18 and 6.3 percent of those 65 and over falling into this category.

The Bloomington Ice Center (Formerly Pepsi Ice Center) is an indoor public ice skating rink managed by the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department, with a full-size ice sheet of 200' by 85'. Ice skating classes, public skating sessions, a complete hockey program, learn to curl and curling leagues, skate rental, and a snack stand are all available at the facility.

The Ladies' Library Association, which had been created in 1856, originally opened the Bloomington Public Library in 1857. Book contributions and membership fees were the primary sources of funding for the modest library. Moving to 105 West North Street in 1871 was the library's first move (which is now West Monroe Street.) Local citizens donated $1,100 to revive the library in 1880, after it was forced to close owing to a lack of money. On property provided by Mrs. Sarah B. Withers, the library relocated to a new two-story structure at the intersection of East and Washington streets in 1888. Withers Library" was renamed in recognition of the donor.

To gather funds for a new public library, Citizens for a New Public Library forms the Friends of the Library organisation in 1976. When the campaign was successful in 1977, "Bloomington Public Library." reopened in its present location at 205 East Olive Street. Public services offered by the library include a Bookmobile that distributes to nearby areas and was initially introduced in 1926 under the name "Library on Wheels."

Alcoholic drinks and smoking are forbidden in all parks, however dogs are permitted on a leash in all of them. Water spray parks, extensive playgrounds, miniature golf, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, cricket grounds, and illuminated tennis courts are common features of these facilities. Indoor tennis courts may be found at the Evergreen Racket Club in Everett, Washington. At O'Neil Park (to the west) and Holiday Park (to the east), there are two public swimming pools (east). Indoor pools are available in YMCA, YWCA, and private fitness clubs.

Running, walking, bicycling and rollerblading are just some of the activities that may be done on the Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail. When crossing the main streets, bridges and tunnels are utilized to segregate the route from traffic. Kerrick Road in Normal to Grove Street in Bloomington are two points on the north–south leg of the path.

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.

For the 150th anniversary of Illinois State University, the Ewing Cultural Center dedicated the Genevieve Green Gardens in 2007. The gardens were designed by a number of architects and landscape designers, including the late Bruce V. Green, an ardent gardener who generously donated $5.2 million to get the project off the ground. An expanded pathway and more flora have been included in the grounds, which feature a formal plaza that leads guests to the manor's main entrance, grass terrace, and theater walk.

Heartland Community College's campus in Bloomington and Illinois State University's in Normal are two of the state's oldest colleges. The American Passion Play is an annual spring event. David Davis's house, built in 1872, is a state historic monument. Bloomington is home to museums dedicated to history and aviation, zoos, and a Shakespeare festival. Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson (1893–97) and his grandson Adlai E. Stevenson II (1899–2002), Governor of Illinois and two-time Democratic Party presidential contender, are buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Shirley, southwest of the city, is a gem and mineral museum. 1839, Inc. Bloomington-population Normal's has grown from 64,808 in 2000 to 76,601 in 2010.

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra presents five Masterworks performances, two Pops concerts, and three Chamber Orchestra concerts each year at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts in Bloomington, Illinois.

Balaban & Katz, the original creators of the traditional cinema palace, built the 1,000-seat Castle Theatre in 1916. The property was a long-time favorite of locals and visitors alike. A $1.5 million makeover just brought the Castle back to its former grandeur. Today, the Castle hosts corporate, public, and private events.

At McPherson Hall, the Illinois Wesleyan University School of Theatre Arts has a theater called the Jerome Mirza Theater. During the year, there are four main stage plays that are shown. They are chosen from a playbill that includes everything from Shakespeare to musicals. IWU's 10th president, Harry W. McPherson, was the name of the building that was finished in 1963. It has a 300-seat theater, a scene shop, classrooms and other things.

Miller Park

The David Davis Mansion offers a glimpse into the life friend and mentor to Abraham Lincoln, David Davis, who served as a United States Supreme Court Justice and was a key component during Lincoln's bid for the 1860 presidential nomination. The Davis Mansion, completed in 1872, combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste. His Bloomington home, which remained in the Davis family for three succeeding generations, contains the most modern conveniences of that era: a coal-burning stove, gas lighting and indoor plumbing. The David Davis Mansion is a historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

The former Montefiore synagogue building is one of Illinois' rare Moorish Revival structures, as well as one of the country's oldest synagogues.

Bloomington, Illinois

The mansion is a precursor of the modern homes and comfort systems that we take for granted today, and is a reminder of the role Illinois played in the nation's history when Abraham Lincoln was President. Arrangements can also be made for a special Tea Ladies Inc. program at the mansion.

The McLean County Museum of History has an audio tour called Lincoln's Bloomington and Normal, Illinois. You can listen to it while you drive. In this CD-based audio tour, President Abraham Lincoln talks about the places he visited and what they meant to him. It was written by James Keeran and narrated by him. It includes Kersey Fell's law office, where Jesse Fell told Lincoln to run for president; the home of Asahel Gridley, Lincoln's friend and client in a slander case; the Miller-Davis Building, where Lincoln practiced law; and 14 other places.

Twin City Tours are offered by the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau on a monthly basis. The McLean County Museum of History is the starting point for tours.

Bloomington's primary retail district is Eastland Mall. With a range of shops and restaurants including Aeropostale and American Eagle Outfitters as well as a number of amusement options, Eastland Mall is a one-stop destination for all of your retail and entertainment needs. Although the mall has been in decline in recent years, it is consistent with the overall fall of retail malls in the United States.

There are two public school districts in Bloomington, and they serve the city. Bloomington Public Schools District 87 runs one high school, Bloomington High School, one junior high school, Bloomington Junior High School, six elementary schools, and a pre-school, Sarah Raymond Preschool (named for the first female superintendent for Bloomington).

McLean County Unit District No. 5 now encompasses most of the city due to its rapid expansion. Unit Five used to solely serve students from Bloomington and the surrounding suburbs, but today the bulk of its students come from the city. Schools in Unit Five include two high schools, four junior high schools, and a number of elementary and middle school options. As of 2010, Unit Five was building its fourth junior high school, George Evans Junior High School, or EJHS for short. A new high school is expected to be needed in Bloomington by 2020, and two new primary schools have already been built.

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.

There are government buildings in downtown Bloomington, including those for the City of Bloomington and McLean County. There are also a lot of great specialty stores, bars, restaurants, and art galleries in downtown Bloomington.