Bloomfield, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Bloomfield is a city in Davis County
, Iowa
, United States
. The population was 2,601 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Davis County.
border.
Bloomfield's longitude and latitude coordinates
in decimal form are 40.751122, -92.417007.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which 2.3 square miles (6 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (1.30%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,601 people, 1,123 households, and 668 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,145.0 people per square mile (442.4/km²). There were 1,228 housing units at an average density of 540.6 per square mile (208.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.54% White, 0.12% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.38% of the population.
There were 1,123 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 26.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,471, and the median income for a family was $44,073. Males had a median income of $25,260 versus $23,686 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,962. About 3.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
The week-long Davis County Country & Old Time Music Festival is held every September at the fairgrounds.
, of Fort Wayne Indiana and is situated on the Bloomfield townsquare. In November 1876, the center of the square was cleared of trees and the following June, Larkworthy & Menke, of Quincy, Illinois, was awarded the contract to supply stone. The bell was made by the Meneely & Kimberly Bell Company of Troy, New York. The clock was made by the Seth Thomas Company and still resides within the clock tower. The building was completed in 1879. A chain surrounding the courthouse was added in 1879 and an iron fence, by the Cleveland Wrought Iron Fence Company, was added in 1881.
On August 27, 1924, Henry "Dare-Devil" Roland, "The Human Fly," attempted to climb the northwest corner of the courthouse. He fell to the ground from about 25 feet, breaking his hip. He was hospitalized in Bloomfield for six weeks, before returning east with his wife and daughter. On June 28, 1932, Roland made a return trip to Bloomfield to remove the blot from his record of successful climbs. This time, in just eleven minutes, he was sitting perched astride the statue of Blind Justice. Roland died October 7, 1937, as a result of a trapeze fall at Ottway, Tennessee.
The Davis County Court House was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on May 3, 1974. The courthouse was photographed by Bob Thall
as part of the Bicentennial project commissioned by Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. to document more than 1,100 American courthouses. One of the results of this project was the 1978 book Court House, edited by Richard Pare. Thall's photo was part of the project's traveling exhibition and also appeared in The New York Times Book Review
, American Heritage
and Newsweek
magazines.
The Bloomfield Square Historic District, which surrounds the courthouse, was added to the National Register's listings on November 7, 1976.
The Davis County Courthouse Preservation Fund was incorporated in November 2005.
Davis County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,753 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,600 housing units, of which 3,201 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,601 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Davis County.
Geography
Bloomfield is located in the southeastern part of Iowa near the MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
border.
Bloomfield's longitude and latitude coordinates
in decimal form are 40.751122, -92.417007.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which 2.3 square miles (6 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (1.30%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,601 people, 1,123 households, and 668 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,145.0 people per square mile (442.4/km²). There were 1,228 housing units at an average density of 540.6 per square mile (208.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.54% White, 0.12% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.38% of the population.
There were 1,123 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 26.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,471, and the median income for a family was $44,073. Males had a median income of $25,260 versus $23,686 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,962. About 3.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Annual events
The Davis County Fair is held in July every year at the fairgrounds, west of Bloomfield.The week-long Davis County Country & Old Time Music Festival is held every September at the fairgrounds.
Davis County Courthouse
The Davis County Courthouse was designed by Thomas J. Tolan & Son, ArchitectsThomas J. Tolan
Thomas J. Tolan was an American architect.Born in Carrollton, Ohio to James and Elizabeth Crabbs Tolan. Like his father, he began working as a marble cutter in Delphos, Ohio. He married Harriett Todd Skinner on October 24, 1853. At some point in his life he made the jump from being a marble...
, of Fort Wayne Indiana and is situated on the Bloomfield townsquare. In November 1876, the center of the square was cleared of trees and the following June, Larkworthy & Menke, of Quincy, Illinois, was awarded the contract to supply stone. The bell was made by the Meneely & Kimberly Bell Company of Troy, New York. The clock was made by the Seth Thomas Company and still resides within the clock tower. The building was completed in 1879. A chain surrounding the courthouse was added in 1879 and an iron fence, by the Cleveland Wrought Iron Fence Company, was added in 1881.
On August 27, 1924, Henry "Dare-Devil" Roland, "The Human Fly," attempted to climb the northwest corner of the courthouse. He fell to the ground from about 25 feet, breaking his hip. He was hospitalized in Bloomfield for six weeks, before returning east with his wife and daughter. On June 28, 1932, Roland made a return trip to Bloomfield to remove the blot from his record of successful climbs. This time, in just eleven minutes, he was sitting perched astride the statue of Blind Justice. Roland died October 7, 1937, as a result of a trapeze fall at Ottway, Tennessee.
The Davis County Court House was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on May 3, 1974. The courthouse was photographed by Bob Thall
Bob Thall
Bob Thall is a Chicago photographer specializing in street scenes. He is Chair of the Photography Department at Columbia College Chicago. His photographs, of gritty urban street scenes, have been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Modern Art in New York...
as part of the Bicentennial project commissioned by Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. to document more than 1,100 American courthouses. One of the results of this project was the 1978 book Court House, edited by Richard Pare. Thall's photo was part of the project's traveling exhibition and also appeared in The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review is a weekly paper-magazine supplement to The New York Times in which current non-fiction and fiction books are reviewed. It is one of the most influential and widely read book review publications in the industry. The offices are located near Times Square in New York...
, American Heritage
American Heritage (magazine)
American Heritage is a quarterly magazine dedicated to covering the history of the United States for a mainstream readership. Until 2007, the magazine was published by Forbes. Since that time, Edwin S...
and Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazines.
The Bloomfield Square Historic District, which surrounds the courthouse, was added to the National Register's listings on November 7, 1976.
The Davis County Courthouse Preservation Fund was incorporated in November 2005.
Notable people
- Curt BaderCurt BaderCurt Bader is an American sprint canoer who competed from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s. He was eliminated in the semifinals of the K-4 1000 m event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Eight years later in Atlanta, Bader was eliminated in the semifinals of the same event.-References:*...
- member of the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Kayak teams - Clem BeauchampClem BeauchampClement Hoyt "Clem" Beauchamp , also known as Jerry Drew in his 20s and early 30s acting career, first worked as a second unit director in 1935, netting the Academy Award for Best Assistant Director for his work on The Lives of a Bengal Lancer...
- early motion picture actor, assistant director, production manager; Academy Award winner - Smith Wildman Brookhart- U.S. Senator
- Cyrus BusseyCyrus BusseyCyrus Bussey was an American soldier and politician, serving as a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
- Civil War Major General (Breveted); Assistant Secretary of the Interior - Beryl F. CarrollBeryl F. CarrollBeryl Franklin Carroll was the 20th Governor of Iowa from 1909 to 1913.-Biography:Carroll was born in Davis County, Iowa; he graduated from the Missouri State Normal School in 1884. He worked as a livestock dealer, teacher, and newspaper publisher...
- Governor of Iowa - George W. ClarkeGeorge W. ClarkeGeorge Washington Clarke served two terms as the 21st Governor of Iowa from 1913-17.-Biography:...
- Governor of Iowa - Samuel O. DunnSamuel Grace DunnSamuel Orace Dunn was an American transportation specialist.-Biography:He was born in Bloomfield, Iowa. He began to set type at the age of 12...
- journalist; transportation specialist - L.D. Hotchkiss- former editor-in-chief, The Los Angeles Times
- John A. Hull- Major General; Judge Advocate General of the Army (1924–1928); Associate Justice Supreme Court of the PhilippinesSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
(1934–1936) - John A.T. Hull- editor Davis County Republican; Iowa Secretary of State, Lt. Governor of Iowa, U.S. Representative
- Augustin Reed HumphreyAugustin Reed HumphreyAugustin Reed Humphrey was a Nebraska Republican politician.Born in 1859 near Madison, Indiana, he moved with his parents to Drakesville, Iowa, in 1864. Graduated from the Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield in 1881 and the law department of the University of Iowa in 1882, passing the bar...
- U.S. Representative from Nebraska - John Henry KylJohn Henry KylJohn Henry Kyl , was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa. He was the father of Jon Kyl, a Senator from Arizona, the current Senate Minority Whip....
- U.S. Representative - Jon KylJon KylJon Llewellyn Kyl is the junior U.S. Senator from Arizona and the Senate Minority Whip, the second-highest position in the Republican Senate leadership. In 2010 he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his persuasive role in the Senate.The son...
- U.S. Senator from Arizona and currently is the Senate Minority WhipWhip (politics)A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy... - Irvin S. PepperIrvin S. PepperIrvin St. Clair Pepper was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district. Pepper died at age 37, in the middle of his second term in Congress....
- U.S. Representative - Bertha Eaton RaffettoBertha RaffettoBertha Raffetto is best known for her song, "Home Means Nevada", which is the official state song for Nevada....
- composer of Home Means NevadaHome Means Nevada"Home Means Nevada" is the official state song of the state of Nevada. It was written by Bertha Rafetto in 1932 and officially adopted by the Nevada Legislature in 1933. Listen to .Way out in the land of the setting sun,...
, the state song of Nevada - C. William RamseyerC. William RamseyerChristian William Ramseyer was a nine-term Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa's 6th congressional district....
- U.S. Representative - Johnny RawlingsJohnny RawlingsJohn William Rawlings [Red] was a second baseman and shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for six different teams between the and seasons. Listed at 5'8", 158 lb., he batted and threw right-handed....
- major league baseball player (1914–1926); later coach for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueAll-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueThe All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:... - Jack RenoJack RenoJack Reno was an American country singer.-Career:Born in Bloomfield, Iowa, Reno appeared at the Grand Ole Opry in the 1960s and played with Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton...
- American country singer, song writer and disc jockey - Kevin RitzKevin RitzKevin D. Ritz is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Ritz grew up in Bloomfield, Iowa. He is an alumnus of William Penn University and Indian Hills Community College....
- former major league pitcher, Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... - Walter A. SheafferWalter A. SheafferWalter A. Sheaffer was an American inventor and businessman who developed the first commercially successful lever-filling fountain pen and founded the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company....
- founder of the SheafferSheafferSheaffer is a pen company that manufactures writing instruments including ballpoint, fountain and rollerball pens and mechanical pencils. It is famous for its “school” lineup of fountain pens, as well as calligraphy sets....
Pen Company - Erastus J. TurnerErastus J. TurnerErastus Johnson Turner was a U.S. Representative from Kansas.Born in Lockport, Pennsylvania, Turner attended college in Henry, Illinois, in 1859 and 1860.He moved to Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1860....
- U.S. Representative from Kansas - James Weaver- U.S. Representative; twice third-party presidential candidate, 1880 Greenback Party and 1892 Populist Party
External links
- Official City Website
- Bloomfield Main Street
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Bloomfield