Area Information
Live, Work & Play In
Bloomington Indiana
Monroe County was created in 1818, and its present boundaries were established by 1836. Bloomington first became a settlement about 1816 when President James Monroe selected the site for a seminary. In 1818 the settlement was surveyed and lots were sold to create the town.
In 1820 the state confirmed Bloomington as
the site of Indiana University, at that time called Indiana Seminary. The site was then near the center of population of the state, and the university has had a major influence upon the growth and development of the town.
There are many legends surrounding the naming of Bloomington. One maintains that the name was suggested when a group of early settlers, gazing from a hill overlooking the site, were impressed by the flowers
and foliage which were in bloom. Another legend suggests that the name honors an early settler, William Bloom.
Bloomington's annual rainfall averages 44.2 inches, with around 19 inches of snow. January temperatures average 36 degrees, with July temperatures averaging 86 degrees. Relative humidity is generally high throughout the year.
Area festivals include the Arts Fair on the Square, Bloomington Early Music Festival, Chocolate Festival, EastFest, Fall Festival on Fairfax, the Fourth Street Arts and Crafts Festival, Indiana Heritage Quilt Show, Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, Taste of Bloomington, Third and High Festival and others.
Bloomington is also home to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, which is a renovated 616-seat vaudeville and movie house built in 1922. Bloomington has a rich theater culture, and is home to several professional
theater companies, including Broadway Entertainment Company and Cardinal Stage Company. Bloomington also has several community and amateur theaters, which include Monroe County Civic Theater, the Bloomington Playwrights Project, John Waldron Arts Center, and the Indiana University Department of Theatrical Arts.
Area elementary schools include Arlington Elementary, Bloomington Montessori School, Childs Elementary, Clear Creek, Fairview, Grandview, Harmony School, Highland Park, Lakeview, Marlin, Rogers-Binford,
St. Charles Catholic School, Summit, Templeton, Unionville and University
Elementary School. Middle and high schools include Batchelor Middle School, Harmony School, Jackson Creek, St. Charles Catholic School, Tri-North Middle School, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Harmony School, Hoosier Hills Career Center and Indiana University High School.
Colleges and universities in and near Bloomington include Indiana University-Bloomington, Depauw University, the University of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech State College-Central Indiana, Indiana
University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Butler University, Ivy Tech State College-Wabash Valley and Indiana State University.
Hospitals and medical centers in Bloomington include Bloomington Hospital and Healthcare system, Meadows Hospital and Select
Specialty Hospital-Bloomington.
Situated in a popular vacation zone, Bloomington is surrounded by state parks, 2 state forests and boating and fishing facilities. Monroe County has several lakes including Lake Monroe (Monroe Reservoir), Griffy Lake and Lake Lemon. Twenty parks provide Bloomington with 1,902 acres for picnicking and recreation purposes, 3 public swimming pools, baseball and softball diamonds, play areas, more.
Cedar Bluff Nature Preserve features a spectacular 75-foot high limestone bluff, cliffside red cedars and much more. The Fairfax State Recreation Area features a swimming beach, boat ramp and picnic areas. Hardin Ridge Recreation Area is in the Hoosier National Forest,
which is a 200,000-acre facility that encompasses 9 counties. It offers 230+ miles of hiking, horseback and mountain biking trails, hunting and more.
Cascades Golf Course rests on 200 acres of beautiful rolling hills with native trees and natural topography. The Quarry Course dates back to 1928, and is a par-35 course. Pine Course, constructed in 1931, is a par-36. Ridge Course, the newest course, opened in 2000 and is a par-36 course.
We could go on and on about Bloomington and Monroe County, but seeing is believing. Come and visit our area soon and stop by our United Country office for a visit. Let us show you more of the many properties and opportunities our region offers. If you have a dream, you can
dream it here.
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