Blono
Wiki Article
Illinois' McLean County is home to Bloomington, a city and the county seat. Bloomington-Normal is the second-largest city in the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan region and is located next door to Normal. 135 miles southwest of Chicago and 162 miles northeast of St. Louis, Bloomington is the second-largest city in Illinois. The city's population was estimated at 78,680 people in the 2020 Census, making it Illinois' 13th most populous city and the state's fifth most populous city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Around 130,000 people live in the twin cities of Bloomington and Normal together. Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University are located in the Bloomington region. State Farm Insurance and Country Financial both have their headquarters here, making it a convenient location for both.
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.
People from all over came to the town's center, which is now called Downtown Bloomington, to trade and do business. Abraham Lincoln, who was working as a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, was one of the people who came to the town center. A well-known Bloomington resident, Jesse W. Fell, came up with the idea for Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1854 and played a big part in getting Lincoln to run for President.
A Bloomington, IL real estate company called Denbesten Real Estate was started in 1977 by Ray and Irene Denbesten. Today, Cathy Denbesten is in charge. They can help you buy or sell your house: (309) 6662-4228. They can also help you with that.
The city has a population of 76,610 at the 2010 census, with 30,454 homes. 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. 7.75% White; 10.1% African American; 0.3 % Native American; 7.0 % Asian; 1.42 % other races; 2.9% two or more races; and 2.9 percent from two or more races. 5.6 percent of the population was of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Bloomington and McLean County are the fastest-growing urban areas in the state of Illinois. Between 1990 and 2006, the population of the region increased by 28%. Bloomington has had the most rapid expansion, with a population of 74,975 in February 2006, a 15.7 percent rise in less than six years, according to a special census performed by the United States Census Bureau.
At the Bloomington Ice Center (formerly known as Pepsi Ice Center), the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department operates an indoor public skating rink, which is 200 feet wide by 85 feet long. Skate rentals and concessions are available, as are instruction and public skating sessions. There is also a hockey program and leagues for anyone interested in learning the sport of curling.
A previous home of the Central Hockey League's PrairieThunder and Blaze, the Grossinger Motors Arena (originally the U.S. Cellular Coliseum) opened in 2006 near southwest downtown Bloomington. As of 2014, it also hosts games for the Illinois State University club hockey team and area youth hockey programs. The Coliseum has a fixed seating capacity of 7,000 but can accommodate over 8,000 for special events. The venue may also be used as a theatre with a retractable curtain, seating 2,500-5,000 people. Since its inception, the Coliseum has staged concerts, family performances, ice shows, racing, and tradeshows.
It has four parts: Parks, Recreation, Golf, and the Miller Park Zoo. 44 parks and three golf courses make up the Department's 1,100 acres (4.5 km2) of land. They include: Airport Park, Atwood Wayside, Angler's Lake Nature Preserve, Bittner Park and Brookridge Park. They also include: Ewing Park 1, Ewing Park 2, EwingPark 3 and Fell AvenuePark. The Department also runs Lincoln Leisure Center and the Lincoln Recreation Center.
There are several exhibits at Miller Park Zoo, as well as chances for visitors to interact with zookeepers. Among the animals you'll see in the San Diego Zoo are a Sumatran tiger, an otter, a Galapagos tortoise, an Amur leopard, a sun bear, reindeer, a sea lion, and red pandas. ZooLab, Children's Zoo, Asia's Animals, and The Katthoefer Animal Building are just a few of the numerous attractions available to visitors. Tropical America Rainforest is the Zoo's newest exhibit.
Normal City Hall Annex is where the east–west segment meets the north segment. It goes east to Towanda-Barnes Road. A branch called the Liberty Branch starts on Commerce Drive and ends at the Old Farm Lakes Subdivision, which is near there. The Freedom Branch starts at Lincoln Street and ends at Route 9 West. This is where the branch goes. Parking is available in nearby parking lots all over the area. Walkers and runners, as well as skateboarders and cyclists, are welcome on the trail. Wheelchair users, in-line skaters, skateboarders, and other people who don't use motorized vehicles are also welcome. Skiers can go there if the weather is good enough.
Bloomington is home to Illinois Wesleyan University (1850) and a Heartland Community College (1990) campus, whereas Normal is home to Illinois State University (1857). The performance of the American Passion Play is a springtime tradition. Bloomington is home to state historic sites like as the residence (1872) of Supreme Court associate judge David Davis, as well as museums dedicated to history and aviation, a zoo, and a summer Shakespeare festival. Adlai E. Stevenson, US vice president (1893–97), and his grandson, Illinois governor and two-time Democratic presidential contender Adlai E. Stevenson II, are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Shirley, southwest of the city, is a gem and mineral museum. 1839, Inc. (2000) 64,808 people; 150,433 people in the Bloomington-Normal metro area; (2010) 76,601 people; 169,572 people in the Bloomington-Normal metro area.
In 2011, USA Ballet celebrates its 21st year as an international ballet company. USA Ballet presents three times a year at Illinois Wesleyan University's McPherson Theatre for children's workshops and outreach events.
All summer long, there is an event called Lincoln's Bloomington Festival that takes place in Downtown Bloomington. It includes Civil War reenactments and traditional craft demonstrations as well as kids' activities, children's musical performances, tours, and talks.
When the McLean County Fair is held in Bloomington each August, it is known as the "Home of the World's Largest County 4-H Fair" 4-H events include livestock shows, a film festival, and displays about food, nutrition, and health, plant science, engineering, and technology, and the environment and natural resources, among other things. In the evening, the Grandstand has tractor pulls and a variety of musical acts.
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.
A Bell Sea Cobra, a Huey helicopter, and an F-14 Tomcat are among the restored aircraft on exhibit at the Prairie Aviation Museum.
The David Davis Mansion depicts the life of Abraham Lincoln's friend and mentor, David Davis, a United States Supreme Court Justice who was instrumental in Lincoln's 1860 presidential campaign. The Davis Mansion, built in 1872, is a paragon of mid-Victorian elegance and taste. His Bloomington house, which has been in the Davis family for three generations, has a coal-burning furnace, gas lights, and indoor plumbing. The David Davis Mansion is a National Historic Landmark.
Specially qualified docents provide Behind the Curtain Tours at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. The building's neo-Classical interior architecture is highlighted in the tours, which also describe the building's repairs and modifications.
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.
Bloomington's primary retail mall is Eastland Mall. Eastland Mall has a range of businesses and restaurants, as well as leisure activities. In recent years, the mall has declined along with other retail malls throughout America.
Downtown Bloomington has museums, banks, a legal and governmental center, residential living, a large artist community, specialty retail stores, and supportive services. Many restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Special events like the Tour de Chocolat and Once Upon a Holiday give visitors a chance to explore the neighborhood. Downtown Bloomington is home to City of Bloomington and McLean County government offices, as well as major employers such as State Farm Insurance, specialty stores, bars, restaurants, and art galleries.
Bloomington, Illinois is the only town where Beer Nuts Brand Snacks are made. There are two Beer Nuts Company Stores in Bloomington, each offering a video tour of the Bloomington plant and history of Beer Nuts Brand Snacks.
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.
There are 2,100 students at Illinois Wesleyan University, which was established in 1850. The student/faculty ratio is 12 to 1. For a long time, it was a part of the United Methodist Church. The College of Liberal Arts has 17 academic departments; the College of Fine Arts has professional schools of art, music, and theatre; and the School of Nursing is part of the university. The College of Liberal Arts is divided into three divisions. The five-story Ames Library, the Center for Natural Science, and the Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation have all been added at Illinois Wesleyan in the last decade. There have been more than 100 athletes from Illinois Wesleyan University elected to the Academic All-American team since 1970. Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology offers classes in pivot point hair sculpture, hair design and long hair design, hair texture, hair color, people skills and salon management training.
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 the area.
Report this wiki page