History of Bloomington, Indiana
Timeline
Go back
- 1820
Indiana University was founded as the Indiana Seminary School. It was later named Indiana College, then finally
settled as Indiana University in 1838.
- Late 1800s
- Popular bar Crazy Horse was formerly used as a brothel, and is currently considered to possibly be haunted.
- 1922
- The Buskirk-Chumley Theater building was built, originally as the Indiana Theatre. It was later renamed to
the Buskirk-Chumley in 1999.
- Yogi's Sports Bar opened, and was named after baseball player "Yogi Berra", Yogi the Bear, and the
owner's cat: Yogi.
- 1950
- A Strongman competition took place in Bloomington. Richard Bonesettis was announced as the winner.
- 1960
- Memorial Stadium was built, and opened on October 8th. It used natural grass until 1986, switching to Astroturf.
It just recently switched back to natural grass.
- 1961
Famous bike race, Little 500, began in Indiana. It was depicted in the famous movie, Breaking Away.
- 1972
- Bear's Place opened up, and has had the longest running one night comdedy show in the country.
- Janko's Little Zagreb restaurant opened, initially as Choo-Choo Cafe.
- 1976
- The annual 4th Street Art Festival first started. It is held every year on Labor Day Weekend.
- 1979
- Famous Bloomington film, Breaking Away, was completed and released.
- Construction on the Arboretum started.
- 1980
- Yet another strongman competition, the winner being Cheryl Young:
- 1981
- The Taste of Bloomington first began. It almost ended in the earlier 90s, but fortunately,
non-profit sponsors helped to continue its existence.
- 1982
Irish Lion opened up, where, originally, a bar and brothel was. The establishment was built in 1882.
- 1987
- The Sample Gates were constructed, made out of Indiana Limestone.
