Historic Photos

Photo of the Week, 61: Courthouse Square 1930

April 3rd, 2014

Seen here is an early Great Depression view of the McLean County Courthouse, looking northeast from the corner of Center and Washington streets. This was the fourth courthouse in the county's history, having replaced the third one gutted in the Bloomington Fire of June 19, 1900. This American Renaissance-style beauty opened in 1903, and today serves as the home of the McLean County Museum of History. Accordingly, the old Courthouse Square is now commonly referred to as the Museum Square. Note the two Ford Model Ts whizzing west down Washington Street. And if you look really close, the sign attached to the pole on the lower right reads, “Parking Limit ONE HOUR."

Bill Kemp

Librarian

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