Bloomington, IL

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Bloomington is a city in central Illinois, United States, that serves as the seat of McLean county (1830). It is roughly midway between Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri, and is close to Normal (north). The region was called as Keg Grove and then as Blooming Grove because of the area's wildflowers when it was first colonized in 1822. Bloomington was called in 1831, when the town was set out. During a conference to form the Republican Party in Illinois in 1856, Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "lost speech" against slavery at Major's Hall in Bloomington; a plaque marks the location. The city is located in a fertile agricultural area, and its economy is mostly focused on agriculture (primarily maize and soybeans), cattle keeping, and the production of farm seeds; insurance, confectionery, and vacuum cleaner manufacturing are also significant.

People from all around, including Abraham Lincoln, who was practicing law in Springfield, Illinois, flocked to the town's heart, now known as Downtown Bloomington, to trade and transact business. For Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1854, Jesse W. Fell, who created the Bloomington Pantagraph and was a major Bloomington real estate developer, was a key figure in the campaign.

Bloomington grew rapidly over the first two decades of the twentieth century. Growing up in Bloomington, IA was impacted by agriculture, highway and railroad construction, and insurance (primarily State Farm Insurance). In addition, the downtown area became a regional retail destination. Unions strengthened.

A Bloomington, IL real estate company called Denbesten Real Estate was started in 1977 by Ray and Irene Denbesten. Today, Cathy Denbesten is running it. They can help you buy or sell your house: (309) 6662-4228. They can also help you find a home.

In 2010, the city had 76,610 residents and 30,454 homes. The density was 2,814.8/sq mile (1,099.5/km2). 34,339 dwelling units at 1,261.5/sq mile (492.8/km2). The city's racial composition was 77.5 percent white, 10.1 percent black, 0.3 percent Native American, 7.0 percent Asian, 1.42 percent other, and 2.9 percent mixed. Latinos of any race made up 5.6% of the population.

Illinois' fastest growing metropolis is Bloomington-McLean County. Between 1990 and 2006, the area's population increased 28%. According to a special census performed in Bloomington in February 2006, the city's population increased by 15.7% to 74,975.

This is how it worked in 2010: There were 34,339 households, and 28.8% had kids under 18. 46.7 percent of them were married couples living together, 9.1% were female householders who didn't have any husbands, and 41.1 percent were single people living alone. More than a third of all households were made up of just one person, and 9.2% had someone who was 65 or older living alone. The average size of a household was 2.41, and the average size of a family was 3.12

The city had a median income of $58,662, and the median income for a family was $81,166. Compared to women, males had a median income of $56,597, while women had a median income of $38,191. There was $32,672 in per capita income for the city. 1.1% of the population was living below the poverty line, including 12.6% of people under 18 and 6.3% over 65.

This ice skating rink is called the Bloomington Ice Center, but it was previously called the Pepsi Ice Center. It is an indoor public skating rink that is run by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. It has a full-size sheet of ice: 200' x 85' The facility has ice skating lessons, public skating sessions, a full hockey program, learn to curl and curling leagues, skate rental, and a concession stand where people can buy food and drink.

Citizens for a New Public Library establishes a Friends of the Library organization in 1976 in order to generate funds for a new public library via bond issues. This campaign began in 1977. The effort was a success, and the library reopened as "Bloomington Public Library." in 1977 at 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 as the Library on Wheels.

Alcoholic drinks, smoking, and dogs are all forbidden in the parks, which are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Water spray parks, extensive playgrounds, miniature golf, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, cricket grounds, and illuminated tennis courts are all common features of these facilities. Indoor tennis courts are available at the Evergreen Racket Club. O'Neil Park (west) and Holiday Park both include free, open-to-the-public swimming pools (east). Indoor pools are available in YMCA, YWCA, and private fitness clubs.

There's a 24-mile (39-km) running, walking, cycling, and rollerblading route in Bloomington-Normal. Crossing busy streets requires bridges and tunnels to keep the route safe from traffic flow. The path runs north–south from Kerrick Road in Normal to Grove Street in Bloomington, following the abandoned Illinois Central Gulf railroad.

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 Castle Theatre debuted in 1916 as a 1,000-seat cinema palace built by famed theater architects Balaban & Katz. The property was a popular attraction for decades. A $1.5 million makeover just brought the Castle back to life. It now hosts corporate, public and private events.

In McPherson Hall's Jerome Mirza Theatre, the Illinois Wesleyan University School of Theatre Arts showcases its skills. Every year, four main stage plays are chosen from a playbill that includes anything from Shakespeare to musicals, and they are produced here. McPherson Hall, was opened in 1963 and is named after IWU's 10th President, Harry W. McPherson, has a 300-seat theater, a scene shop, classrooms, and other amenities.

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.

The Lincoln's Bloomington Festival is held each July in Downtown Bloomington and features Civil War reenactments, traditional craft demonstrations, children's activities, musical performances, talks and tours.

Located in Bloomington, the McLean County Fair is billed as the "Home of the World's Largest County 4-H Fair" Animal shows, a film festival, and exhibits on food, nutrition, and health are just a few of the 4-H offerings. Evening Grandstand Entertainment includes tractor pulls and music.

Bloomington architect Phil Hooten created Ewing Manor in the Channel-Norman style popular among the wealthy in the post-Victorian era. Famous landscape architect Jens Jensen developed the surrounding grounds, which include the Lincoln Memorial Gardens in Springfield. Every summer, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival is held at the on-site theater.

The McLean County Historical Society created the McLean County Museum of History in 1892. The museum contains permanent and changing exhibits that examine Central Illinois history. This site is on the NRHP.

In 1977, the Miller Park Pavilion and War Memorial was repaired and reopened. It was reopened in May of 1988. Among the red sidewalks are the names of Central Illinois residents who died or were missing in action in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The black granite memorial is surrounded by red sidewalks.

An F-14 Tomcat and Bell Sea Cobra are on display at the Prairie Aviation Museum.

People who were important in Bloomington-Normal are buried there, including members of the Stevenson family. Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, also known as the Evergreen Cemetery, is the burial place for many of these people. Both Adlai E. Stevenson I, Grover Cleveland's vice president, and Adlai E. Stevenson II, governor of Illinois, ambassador to the United Nations, and two times Democratic candidate for president of the United States, are buried in the same place. People who are also buried there are Letitia Green Stevenson's husband and Julia Green Scott. Letitia was the second President-General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Julia is her sister, the seventh President-General, and both are buried there. Other historical figures who are buried there include David Davis, a friend and mentor of Abraham Lincoln; Charles Radbourn, one of the best pitchers in 19th-century baseball; and Dorothy Gage, the niece of author L. Frank Baum and the inspiration for the main character in the Wizard of Oz.

The David Davis Mansion gives visitors a glimpse into the life of Abraham Lincoln's friend and mentor, David Davis, who was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court and played a big role in Lincoln's bid for the 1860 presidential nomination. The Davis Mansion, which was finished in 1872, has a mix of Italianate and Second Empire architectural features. It is a good example of what was popular in the middle of the 19th century. His Bloomington home, which has been in the Davis family for three generations, has all the modern conveniences of the time: a coal-burning stove, gas lights, and indoor plumbing. The David Davis Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of places that are important to history.

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The house is a forerunner of today's contemporary residences and comfort systems, and it serves as a reminder of Illinois' significance in American history during Abraham Lincoln's presidency. A customized Tea Ladies Inc. event may also be organized at the estate.

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 conducts Twin City Excursions, which are monthly tours of Bloomington and Normal. The McLean County Museum of History is the starting point for tours.

Bloomington's primary retail mall is Eastland Mall. Eastland Mall offers dining, shopping, and entertainment, as well as a range of recreational activities. Stores include Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Applebee's, Buckle, Finish Line, Limited, Old Navy, Rogers & Hollands, Talbot's, and more. The mall, however, has been in decline in recent years, in accordance with the overall downturn of retail malls throughout America.

At the heart of Bloomington's cultural district is a plethora of art galleries and museums as well as a number of banks and other financial institutions. As a result, there are several restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. A variety of activities, including as the Tour de Chocolat, Farmers' Market, Tour de Metro, Pub Crawl, and Once Upon a Holiday, allow visitors to get a taste of the neighborhood. Bloomington's downtown area is home to the city's and McLean County's government buildings, as well as a slew of clubs, restaurants, and art galleries.

Growth has taken the city well into the boundaries of a second district, McLean County Unit District No. 5. Although Unit Five originally served only suburban areas, including Normal, the majority of its students now are from Bloomington itself. Unit Five operates two high schools (Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School), four junior high schools, and numerous elementary schools. As of 2010, Unit Five was constructing its fourth junior high school which is called George Evans Junior High School more commonly known as EJHS. The construction was finished in 2011 Unit 5 was also making two new elementary schools in Bloomington, and is projecting the need for another high school.

Several private schools exist in Bloomington, including Central Catholic High School, Corpus Christi Catholic School, Epiphany Catholic School, St. Mary's Catholic School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Cornerstone Christian Academy Students from Bloomington can also attend Illinois State University's Metcalf Elm/Jr. School and University High School.

There are 2,100 students at Illinois Wesleyan University, which was founded in 1850. It is a private residential university with a student/faculty ratio of 12 to 1. It has been linked to the United Methodist Church for a long time. 17 academic departments are in the College of Liberal Arts. There are also schools of art, music, theater, and nursing at the University; these schools are called the College of Fine Arts. Ames Library: Illinois Wesleyan has added the five-story library, the Center for Natural Science, and the Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation in the last ten years, among other things. If you want to learn how to do pivot point hair sculpture and hair design, Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology, Inc. is the place to go. It also teaches you how to work in a salon and how to deal with customers and staff members.