Blog Post by Randi Richardson Bill Griffy, the watchman at the engine house on the northeast corner of the square, sat outside as he often did on hot summer nights catching what little breeze he could. It was Wednesday, June 14, 1899, a few minutes after 1 AM. Other than an attack by a hungry
Blog post by Randi Richardson For many years, in many homes and restaurants, tins of Winterlein lard and other Winterlein meat products were a common sight. Bloomington Packing Company, manufacturer of Winterlein merchandise, was founded in 1922 by Ernest Reuter, Elzie L. Baldwin and Fred G. Baierlein, all former residents of Muncie. Winterlein was created
On Monday morning, February 26, [1838], about half past four in the morning, the citizens of Bloomington were roused from their sleep by the ringing of bells and cries of fire. It was soon ascertained that the fire was in the frame buildings owned by G. R. Johnson and occupied by Mr. Jonathan Legg as
Blog post by Randi Richardson On the afternoon of September 27, 1951, the Airport Roller Skating Rink and a small residential home utilized by the rink for storage were completely destroyed by fire fanned by a brisk wind. The rink, which measured about 110×60 feet, was located two miles west of Bloomington. It was owned
Blog post by Randi Richardson The First Methodist Church, dedicated in 1909, was destroyed by a $250,000 fire discovered on the morning of Wednesday, April 7, 1937. Also destroyed by the fire was a $30,000 organ and great sheets of valuable, imported art glass. Located at 4th and Washington streets, the First Methodist Church was
Blog post by Randi Richardson On Tuesday morning of last week, at about two o’clock, an alarm of fire was sounded and people hurried from their beds to find the Orchard Block, which extended from College Avenue to Railroad Street and was bounded by 5th Street and an alley running east and west, to be
How Samuel Orchard Helped Put Bloomington on the Map
Blog post by Randi Richardson Several of the events that helped put Bloomington and Monroe County on the map at an early day were related to efforts put forth by Samuel M. and John Orchard, brothers and natives of Bourbon County, Kentucky. The two men came north to Indiana with their parents, Isaac and Margery
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