Inns and Taverns Cater to New Travelers

Inns and Taverns Cater to New Travelers. . Inns and taverns were some of Bloomington's earliest businesses. Temperance House was the first hotel, built in 1836 by the Orchard Brothers as a stopping point along their stage coach line which connected Indianapolis and Louisville. , The Railroad Makes It Possible , Connecting to larger cities and markets was crucial to Bloomington's growth. The Orchard Brothers stage line struggled to remain a stopping point along the Indianapolis-Louisville route. It was only when the Louisville, New Albany and Salem Railroad arrived that Bloomington was able to become a player in the region's growiung markets. , The Bundy European Hotel , The Bundy European Hotel was built shortly after the railroad opened in 1853. The hotel served travelers and boarding house tenants. The ground floor housed a tavern, and even at one time, a nickelodeon theater., This photo was taken from the corner of Kirkwood and College Avenues, and show the location of the Bundy European Hotel, one block west of the courthouse square. , Train Depot. The Bundy Hotel capitalized on its proximity to the railroad tracks. With the Louisville, New Albany and Salem Railroad depot built just south of the hotel, the Bundy Hotel and tavern provided a convenient resting point for travelers. , Other Early Hotels , Graham Hotel The Graham Hotel, located opposite the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square, is visible from the B-Line Trail crossing at 6th Street. It was erected in 1929 on the site of the old Bowles Hotel, formerly the Gentry Hotel, built in the late 1800s. , The Bowles Hotel was located on 6th and College prior to the Graham Hotel. , Located on the southeast corner of 6th and Walnut Streets, the Faulkner Hotel was built in 1847 and is the oldest building on the Courthouse Square.