Benjaminville was founded in the 1850's by Quaker farmers looking for rich prairie soil on which to grow their wheat. The Friends Meeting House, built in 1874, has changed little since then. The adjacent burial ground is divided into two . . . — — Map (db m157153) HM
Married Letitia Green Dec. 26, 1866
Member of the 44th US Congress 1875-1877 and the 46th US Congress 1879-1881. Under President Grover Cleveland he was appointed first Assistant Postmaster General 1885-1889. Was elected Vice President of . . . — — Map (db m160458) HM
Twice made unsuccessful bid for the office of US President on the democratic ticket in 1952 and 1956. Named US Ambassador to the United Nations by President John F. Kennedy serving in London, England until his death. — — Map (db m160459) HM
Married Ward Hill Lamon Mar. 17, 1850
The 8th circuit court and the members including the Honorable Judge David Davis and Abraham Lincoln, future president of the United States of America gathered here at the burial site of Angeline Turner . . . — — Map (db m160308) HM
"My line of defense is going to be that your tongue is no slanderer...that the people generally know you to be, impulsive and say things that you do not mean, and they do not consider what you say as slander," was Lincoln's defense of . . . — — Map (db m57379) HM
702 E. Grove St.
Augustus & Jennie
Elbe House
Built c. 1882
Queen Anne Architectural Style
Elbe was a German born jeweler.
The house cost $4500 to build. — — Map (db m183770) HM
The Bloomington Fire Department was established by City Council ordinance on December 27, 1855 as a result of a devastating fire that destroyed much of a downtown city block. The city's first fire apparatus - a hand pumper known as Prairie Bird - . . . — — Map (db m163422) HM
Bloomington Fire Fighters organized as an original number of the International Association Fire Fighters on February 28th, 1918 as Local #49
In 1921 Local #49 was disbanded due to the depression era antilabor sentiments in city governments . . . — — Map (db m163421) HM
In the era before movies, television, and the internet, it was the circus that
entertained us. Traveling shows exposed circus goers throughout the U.S. and
the world to different cultures and countries, as well as acrobatic and aerial
feats. For . . . — — Map (db m253496) HM
(front:)
Route 66, the Mother Road, is an American icon that symbolizes romance and freedom of the open road. Born in 1926, Route 66 was one of the first numbered U.S. highways, journeying 2,500 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, . . . — — Map (db m158214) HM
This park is named in honor of Bob McGraw who served the City of Bloomington as Mayor from 1957 - 1969. It was Mayor McGraw who championed the need for a Parks and Recreation Department. His vision continues today through development of parks such . . . — — Map (db m276575) HM
Located on this site until 1969, the Booker T. Washington Home was a refuge for
orphaned African American children. Its roots go back to 1918 as the McLean
County Home for Colored Children. At that time, Bloomington-Normal chose to
segregate and . . . — — Map (db m253502) HM
First brick pavement in the United States
Innovation to modern highways
Installed 1877 by Napoleon B. Heafer
This plaque set in original paving brick and presented to the City of Bloomington May 11, 1968, by Bloomington Junior High School . . . — — Map (db m57840) HM
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1940, Charles pitched professionally for 11 years in the National League and the Players League.
In those 11 years he won 310 games and lost 191 for a winning percentage of .619.
In 1884 he won 62 . . . — — Map (db m160304) HM
David Davis swapped for the farm just east of here with Normal's founder Jesse Fell. Davis forgiving Fell's debts. Judge Davis was a friend of attorney Abraham Lincoln and the two of them rode the 8th Judicial circuit together, holding court from . . . — — Map (db m57560) HM
Founded in 1925, Country Financial began as a provider of fire and crop insurance for farmers. Over the decades, it grew into a reliable provider of auto, home, life, and business insurance, as well as retirement and investment services. Rooted . . . — — Map (db m295336) HM
Country Financial traces its origins to the Illinois Agricultural Association (IAA), organized in 1916 and commonly known today as the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB). As one of the nation's largest farm bureaus, IFB has advocated for farmers, . . . — — Map (db m293657) HM
This Victorian Mansion was the home of Judge David Davis, an associate of Abraham Lincoln's.
Construction began in 1870 and was completed in 1872. The house is built of yellow hard-burned face brick with stone quoins in the corners. It is 64 . . . — — Map (db m12249) HM
On the morning of June 19, 1900, within a brief space of eight hours of time, the fair city of Bloomington, Illinois, lost the most attractive part of the business portion of the city, destroying over two million dollars worth of real estate and . . . — — Map (db m162811) HM
Little Dorothy was born to Sophie Jewell and Thomas C. Gage, five months later the family was devastated by her death. Shortly after this, Thomas and Sophie left Bloomington for Aberdeen S.D. Dorothy's uncle, L. Frank Baum, named the main character . . . — — Map (db m160313) HM
409 E. Grove St.
Edward & Ora
Gridley House
Built c. 1885 Queen Anne Style
George Miller, Architect
This house was preserved by Alice Light McTurnan,
whose family lived here from 1904-1996.
Edward Gridley was the son of . . . — — Map (db m183812) HM
709 E. Taylor St.
Eliel & Malinda
Barber Cottage
Built c. 1852
Vertical Plank Construction
Eliel built the first half of the
Vrooman Mansion for his wife.
Author Harold Sinclair resided here when
he wrote The Horse . . . — — Map (db m183832) HM
507 E. Grove St.
Eugene and Mary
Funk House
Eastlake Victorian Architectural Style, 1895
Paul Moratz, Architect; C. L. Hutchinson, Builder
The Conover Female Seminary was located here and was demolished in 1894.
It was the second . . . — — Map (db m183817) HM
418 E. Grove St.
Ezra & Barbara
Prince House
Built c. 1855
Victorian Cottage
Ezra was a friend of Abraham Lincoln, and was a
co-founder of the McLean County Historical Society.
Pulitzer Prize winning brothers Paul and
Edgar . . . — — Map (db m183779) HM
The first woman elected to the Illinois Senate, Florence Fifer Bohrer served two terms from 1925 to 1933. She chaired the Senate committee to visit charitable institutions, led efforts to revamp Illinois' child welfare laws, and sponsored . . . — — Map (db m55616) HM
703 E. Washington St.
Formerly Clare House
Built c. 1901
Late Victorian Style
Tina Sipula operated Clare House, a shelter
and later food pantry from 1978-2015.
This house, the third structure on this lot,
was built . . . — — Map (db m270545) HM
Franklin Square contains the homes of former Vice President Adlai Stevenson I and Governor Joseph Fifer. Franklin Park, the centerpiece of the district, was the starting point for partisan torchlight parades in the late nineteenth century. The park, . . . — — Map (db m156963) HM
516 S. Clayton St.
Freedom and Henry C.
Johnson House
Italianate Architectural
Style, 1880
Henry C. Johnson was a Civil War veteran.
Eugenia Johnson, one of their five daughters, was born
in the house and remained here until . . . — — Map (db m183829) HM
701 E. Grove St.
George H. and Clara
Bruner Cox House
George Miller, Architect
Queen Anne Architectural Style, 1886
George Cox ran the Hungarian Roller Mills.
Clara grew up in the neighborhood.
Dr. Jane Marie Lee restored the . . . — — Map (db m183825) HM
Family Patriarch
Asahel Gridley
04/21/1810 - 01/20/1881
Banker, lawyer, politician, merchant, and first millionaire in McLean County.
The town of Gridley is named for him.
Gridley was once sued for slander and hired Abraham Lincoln . . . — — Map (db m160311) HM
(Growmark, Inc. itself was established through consolidation of Illinois Grain Corporation and FS Service, Inc. in 1980) Established in 1927, the Growmark system is an agricultural cooperative serving farmers and member co-ops across the U.S. and . . . — — Map (db m295333) HM
Wife, mother, and registered nurse.
A driving force behind the merging of the Bloomington City Cemetery and Bloomington Cemetery.
It was with great dedication that she served Evergreen Memorial Cemetery first as an advocate then as a . . . — — Map (db m160445) HM
This was the home of Adlai E. Stevenson I, Vice-President of the United States, 1893-1897. Stevenson was born in Kentucky in 1835 and came to Bloomington in 1852. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and Centre College in . . . — — Map (db m55614) HM
This was the home of Joseph W. Fifer, Republican Governor of Illinois, 1889-1893. Fifer was born in Virginia in 1840 and came to Illinois in 1857. During the Civil War he served in the 33rd Illinois Infantry Regiment. He graduated from Illinois . . . — — Map (db m55615) HM
414-416 E. Grove St.
Horace and Nora
McCurdy House
Italianate Architectural Style, 1877
Richter and Harris, Architects
Horace McCurdy owned a hardware business
at 110 W. Front St.
Built as a single-family residence, it was . . . — — Map (db m183784) HM
Founded in 1951, the IAA Credit Union was created to serve the financial needs of employees within the Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies. As a member-owned cooperative, it provides savings, loans, and financial services to members, their . . . — — Map (db m295332) HM
Established in 1987, the IAA Foundation was formed with the mission to fund education, and charitable activities that benefit Illinois farm families and agriculture. They serve as the primary fundraiser for Illinois Agricultural in the Classroom, . . . — — Map (db m295339) HM
"I am now free to make an engagement for the road; and if you think fit you may 'count me in,'" wrote Lincoln to Illinois Central Railroad attorney Mason Brayman in October 1853. In 1851, the Illinois Central Railroad charter had . . . — — Map (db m57561) HM
Founded in 1916 as the Illinois Agricultural Association, the Illinois Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting farms, food, and families across the state. Through advocacy, education, and innovation, IFB has advanced . . . — — Map (db m295334) HM
706 E. Grove St.
John & Matilda
Heffernan House
Built c. 1892
Queen Anne Architectural Style
Col. Heffernan was a successful businessman
and leader of the local Irish community.
No automobiles were allowed on the property . . . — — Map (db m183750) HM
421 E. Grove St.
John and Caroline
Roush House
Italianate Architectural
Style, 1870
Built on a Joliet stone foundation with local brick for
John Roush, a wholesale grocer. The Neo-classical porch was
added in 1907. The house . . . — — Map (db m183815) HM
This is the site of the home of Judge Scott who was a member of the Illinois Supreme Court from 1870 to 1888, and a leading philanthropist of McLean County.
Judge Scott was also one of the founders and the first President of the McLean County . . . — — Map (db m156964) HM
John served as judge to the 8th Judicial Circuit in Illinois 1862-1870
Elected to the Illinois Supreme Court 1870-1888
One of the founders of the McLean County Historical Society in 1892
John considered Sarah his equal and life . . . — — Map (db m160306) HM
407 E. Grove St.
Lawrence and Mary Jane
Weldon House
Italianate Architectural Style, 1870
by Pennington and Coultas
A US Court of Claims judge, Weldon was a friend of
Abraham Lincoln and hosted U.S. Grant here in 1880.
The . . . — — Map (db m183805) HM
(left plaque:)
On the right is a reproduction of a plaque attached to the original Lincoln Oak Tree. Under that oak, it is said Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas gave speeches between 1855 and 1860. The original oak died and was cut . . . — — Map (db m156965) HM
A rustic on his first visit to the circus is how John W. Baddeley, an English immigrant farmer described Abraham Lincoln on his first visit to the McLean County Courthouse as a young attorney in the summer of 1837. Lincoln was wearing . . . — — Map (db m12362) HM
From 1837 to 1860, Abraham Lincoln practiced law in a courthouse on this site.
Its front wall is marked by the brass bar below. — — Map (db m294193) HM
"His love of wealth was very weak....he said he had no capacity whatever for speculation and never attempted it." So said attorney friend Joseph Gillespie who once asked Lincoln how much land he owned and why he had never speculated in . . . — — Map (db m57559) HM
604 E. Grove St.
Lucius T. and Arabella
Bruner Wilcox House
Queen Anne
Architectural Style, 1894
Lucius, a dry goods merchant, was his own contractor and
built this house for $5500.
Arabella grew up in the neighborhood and her . . . — — Map (db m183771) HM
Major's Hall Erected 1852 by William Trabue Major Razed 1959
Illinois Republican Party born in Major's Hall I have supposed myself since the organization of the Republican Party at Bloomington, in May 1856, . . . — — Map (db m221641) HM
701 E. Taylor St.
Matthew and Julia
Scott House
Italianate/Romanesque Architectural Style, 1869/1900
GW Bunting/Arthur Pillsbury, Architects
The Scotts' daughter, Julia, a lifelong resident from 1876-1981,
lived here with her . . . — — Map (db m183831) HM
Five generations of the McCormick family are buried here in the Big Circle.
Family Patriarch
Henry W. McCormick, Ph. D.
Irish immigrant, farm laborer, teacher, college professor.
For his contribution to the university, McCormick Gym, at . . . — — Map (db m160456) HM
Korean War
1950-1953
1Lt Wayne Eugene Boyles (MIA) PFC Charles G Conley Pvt Edward Joseph Hartzold PFC Jerry Joe Kerns PFC Melvin E Lipscomb PFC Roger Leon Morgan (MIA) Sgt Carl R Mosson Cpl Kenneth A Nylander Cpl Louis . . . — — Map (db m253499) WM
Vietnam War
1955-1975
Bloomington
PFC Gary Cecil Baize Cpl Richard Dean Buckles SP4 Timothy Lee White Cpl William Reinhart Buff SSg George Elmer Burchett PFC Terry Lee Thorton 2Lt Irving S Chenoweth III SP4 Bernard James . . . — — Map (db m253501) WM
In 1908, the park board established racially segregated beaches and bathing facilities at Miller Park. Whites had exclusive use of the lake's larger beach and cleaner waters, while the "colored" beach was located in the park's smaller lagoon - a . . . — — Map (db m156962) HM
A National Register of Historic Places SiteHere, in the 1840s attorneys of the old Eighth Judicial Circuit would gather. In the upper rooms Abraham Lincoln, David Davis, Asahel Gridley and others forged their ideals which fifteen years later were . . . — — Map (db m57453) HM
"...If they believe...Vandeventer pointed the gun at Swartz and advanced upon him, merely to intimidate Swartz.... so that he could get to kill the dog, and with no intention of him, or otherwise hurting him with the gun, that was no assault . . . — — Map (db m57454) HM
The frame house (left) that once stood on the site of this Victorian mansion was the home of Abraham Lincolns trusted friend, legal associate, and political manager, David Davis (1815-1886). The two-story structure closely resembled Lincolns . . . — — Map (db m12263) HM
The original monument stood at the center of Bloomington's
first public park, Franklin Square, across town. The 49-foot
memorial bearing the inscriptions of the 700 Civil War dead
bore the words McLean County's Honored Sons, Fallen but
Not . . . — — Map (db m253459) HM WM
611 E. Washington St.
Omar and Ethyl
Rawson House
Craftsman Architectural Style, 1904
Arthur Pillsbury, Architect
Mr. Rawson was the manager of the McGregor Brick Co.
and married the owner's daughter, which is why . . . — — Map (db m270522) HM
402 E. Grove St.
Oscar and Sara
Mandel House
Queen Anne Architectural Style,
1894 George Miller, Architect
Moved here in 2004 from 507 E. Washington, restored by
Diana Krieg, and awarded Best Curb Appeal by This Old House
in . . . — — Map (db m183794) HM
609/11 E. Grove St.
Phillip & Sophia
Young House
West Half Built c. 1855
Greek Revival Architectural Style
East side addition by architect Arthur Pillsbury was built
in 1904 to provide income for widow Anna Perrigo.
Phillip . . . — — Map (db m183823) HM
On May 31, 1948, a group of citizens gathered at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery's Civil War Veteran's enclosure to honor those who had given to our great nation through their military service. During the ceremony, a WWII trainer plane flown by James A. . . . — — Map (db m160452) HM
Founded in 1938, Prairie Farms Dairy is a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to producing high quality dairy products. Headquartered in Edwardsville, Illinois, it represents over 600 family farms and maintains a distribution network that spans over . . . — — Map (db m295337) HM
These mill stones were used at the Rhodes Mill in McLean County in 1825; donated to the public by Victoria Ames and Clara McNamara — — Map (db m163010) HM
Illinois Route 66 was dangerous. Curves, crossroads, and bridge abutments doomed many speeding motorists, giving rise to the nickname, "Bloody 66." After World War II, curves were straightened, towns bypassed, and four lanes built to improve . . . — — Map (db m57555) HM
510 E. Grove St.
Ruben & Laura
Benjamin House
Built by John Routt in 1853
Italianate Architectural Style
Ruben Benjamin was examined by Abraham Lincoln
to qualify for a license to practice law.
John Routt was elected governor . . . — — Map (db m183772) HM
612 E. Grove St.
Sain & Gertrude
Welty House
Built c. 1888
Queen Anne Architecture
Only 8% of Queen Anne houses are brick and the
3 story square tower is uncommon.
Judge Welty was City Attorney from 1885 to 18(obscured) . . . — — Map (db m183747) HM
603 E. Grove St.
Samuel & Electa
Bishop House
Built c. 1857
Italianate Architectural Style
One of George Bruner's many neighborhood properties in
the 1860's. Bruner also owned a lumber yard on the corner
of Evans and Grove. . . . — — Map (db m183822) HM
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall was brought to this site in August of 2016. It was through the hard work and dedication of many volunteers that made this event possible. The black granite monument to commemorate the Honor, . . . — — Map (db m160455) HM WM
In 1913, Bloomington native Sigmund Livingston founded the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Chicago. Livingston came to Bloomington in 1881 at the age of nine with his parents from Germany. After attending public schools, he graduated from law school . . . — — Map (db m162812) HM
[The circular memorial features four smaller circles of stone benches. Many of the stone benches have text engraved on them describing Bloomington-Normal's sister cities or the Sister City program itself. However, many have eroded due to age and . . . — — Map (db m277199) HM
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places 1983
Located on the third floor of the Crothers and Chew Building was a facility known as Center Hall, where on April 6, Lincoln gave his address "Inventions and Discoveries." Hoping to . . . — — Map (db m162816) HM
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places 1983
The Dewenter's building has been the site of commercial and professional activity since 1856. Dewenter's, a men's clothing store, was in business here from 1870 to 1988. The building . . . — — Map (db m162819) HM
It was here
that the Great Fire of
June 19th 1900 started
The efforts of a generation were
gone in an instant but from the
gray ashes was heroically builded
a bigger and better Bloomington — — Map (db m270532) HM
The home of Julia Green Scott, (Mrs. Matthew T. Scott) seventh President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution 1909–1913
Later home of her daughter, Julia & son-in-law, Carl Vrooman — — Map (db m57838) HM
"I look upon that enactment not as a 'law,' but as 'violence' from the beginning. It was conceived in violence, passed in violence, is maintained in violence, and is being executed in violence. I say it was 'conceived' in violence, because . . . — — Map (db m57456) HM
Horace Greeley's New York Tribune reported on the Bloomington convention for its national readership: "It was most emphatically a convention of the people, where all classes, opinions and shades of belief were represented---but all inspired . . . — — Map (db m57458) HM
"Why if that one is named Democrat, I will name this one Whig," Lincoln said to John Ewing the proprietor. Such was Lincoln's affection for the family of John Ewing, who ran the hotel in the 1840's. John had nicknamed one of his sons . . . — — Map (db m57550) HM
"Herewith is a little sketch...there is not much of it...I suppose, that there is not much of me." Lincoln thus fulfilled Jesse Fell's 1858 request for an autobiography. Catching Lincoln as he emerged from the courthouse, Fell invited . . . — — Map (db m57553) HM
"While I am writing speakers are addressing the people from the portico of the Pike House." Thus wrote the correspondent of the Chicago Democrat Press on the morning of May 29, 1856. The Anti-Nebraska Convention was scheduled to . . . — — Map (db m57556) HM
The Rounds Block was built in 1857 by brickmaker S.D. Rounds. Rudolph Richter who was employed by Rounds, is believed to be the architect for the building. Richter was a trained architect who had immigrated to America from Prussia.The Rounds Block . . . — — Map (db m57552) HM
Daily this whistle echoed from atop the Chicago & Alton Railroad shops on Bloomington's west side. This monument is dedicated to the thousands that labored there.
Labor Day 1982 — — Map (db m163005) HM
The Trotters, immigrants of the Great Potato Famine in Ireland, were prominent
Bloomington businessmen and philanthropists. John was a three-term mayor, and
with his sister, Georgina, ran a thriving lumber, coal, and grain business on West
Market . . . — — Map (db m253461) HM
"I am in a little trouble here---I am trying to get a decree for our 'Billy the Barber' for the conveyance of certain town lots sold to him by Allin Gridley and Prickett...." Lincoln explained that "Billy will blame me, if I do not . . . — — Map (db m57558) HM
The pillars forming the basis of this sesquicentennial gateway are from Hedding College, Abingdon, Illinois, which merged with Illinois Wesleyan University in 1930. The Reverend Henry M. Bloomer, president of Hedding's board of trustees, . . . — — Map (db m276274) HM
[Engraved on the left pillar of the campus entrance:]
In memory of the founders of Illinois Wesleyan University
1850
James Allin J.E. McClun Linus Graves Thomas O. Rogers H.H. Fell Ezekiel Thomas W.H. Allin Isaac Funk John . . . — — Map (db m276273) HM
Most early roads were not paved. As a result, after it rained they became almost impossible to drive on. This 1926 section of road is a good example of what was called the "Good Roads Movement." This piece of Route 66 was only 16 feet wide, but . . . — — Map (db m294087) HM
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