The Bloomington, Illinois, area was first established by the Kickapoo Indians. The original community was known as Keg Grove. Keg Grove was named because early fur traders to the area found a large amount of alcohol that belonged to the Kickapoo. A second community was formed named Blooming Grove. The name was changed to show that Blooming Grove was a safe place to live. James Allin donated 60 acres in Decemer 25, 1830, for the forming of the new community named Bloomington. The community is the county seat of McLean County and is located next to Normal, Illinois. The first lots in Bloomington were sold at public auction on July 4, 1831. For the next 25 years, many businesses flourished in the area. For businesses flourishing there today, check out the Bloomington, IL business directory. It became a great trading area frequented by many from the surrounding areas. On May 29, 1865, Abraham Lincoln gave an anti-slavery speech at the Anti-Nebraska convention held in Bloomington. The speech known as the Lost Speech was so impressive that seasoned reporters did not take notes, relying on their memories to write about it while others believe the speech was simply too controversial for the reporters. The speech resulted in the formation of the Illinois Republican Party.
An important early Bloomington resident was David Davis, who was a U.S. Senator, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, largest landowner in Illinois, and campaign manager for Abraham Lincoln. Bloomington, Illinois, is the home of Illinois Wesleyan University. One of its earliest professors was Major John Wesley Powell who went on to establish the U.S. Geological Society and the Bureau of Ethnology for the Smithsonian. Many people have had much success after graduating from Wesleyan, including Senator Scott Lucas, Idaho Governor H. Clarence Baldridge, Wyoming Governor Lester Hunt, NBA player Jack Sikma, Grammy winner Dawn Upshaw, scientist Sandra Steingraber, actor Carlos Bernard, actress Judith Ivey, actress Laurie Metcalf, and actress Jane Lynch. Politician Adlai Ewing Stevenson grew up in Bloomington before running twice for President, serving as Governor of Illinois, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. George Lincoln Rockwell founded the American Nazi Party here. In 1900, the community almost burnt totally down. Important architects George Miller, Paul O. Moratz, and Chris Farley were all instrumental in the rebuilding. On June 7, 1922, the first insurance company to offer insurance, especially for farmers, was started in Bloomington. The company, known as State Farm Insurance, is the largest auto and home insurer in North America. In 1937, Beer Nuts was founded in Bloomington. In 1958, the McLean County Bank offered the first credit card to ever be issued known as VISA. For more information, consult the Bloomington, IL yellow pages.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
