Bloomington, Franklin County Nebraska
Stop #3
Population: 129-130

Notable Bloomington items:
New Water system
Nice community center
Demo Derby races
4th of July fireworks display
The Lamplighter Inn
Celebrated 125th Anniversary in 1996
Jail made out of native rock

LAWRENCE WARING
Post Master/Chairman of the Village Board
"Population now is around 129-130- somewhere in that neighborhood. Quite a few elderly people. Some newer people now. We got a bar, post office, and old webber house body shop."

"I've lived here all my life. Born on a farm 2 miles west of town...Great place to raise your kids."

"There's a lot of history here... there's a story about some guy who jumped off a passenger train and he had some gold and he buried it down by the railroad somewhere and there's been people with metal detectors that have dug up that area but I don't think they've found anything put pop tops." (laughs)

RENA DONOVAN
County Historian
"I've studied history for 25 years. I've read everything at least twice. I find it very interesting. I love to do it."

"It began in 1872 and Bloomington got the county seat by the vote of the people. It was well known they would get the land office and then Bloomington boomed overnight and thrived. From 16 counties they had to come here and register their homestead records."

"A murder took place at the Tremont Hotel around 1880. It was a gambling town with high rollers coming here to gamble. Bloomington had a sod school and then graduated to a lumber type school or plank type school then brick. We have lost our schools now."

"It was a tough way of life for the early settlers. People had to be strong when they came here to homestead and so many heartaches, diseases and I like to reflect on hardships and sometimes it's just so sad... families loosing up to 5 children in 2 weeks. Bloomington had it's glory days. A big mansion... chauffer that drove the occupants around. "

WAYNE VOLK
Abe Lincoln Look-A-Like

"In the last 10 years, people started saying something about me looking like Abe. Then waitresses down in Smith Center said something and it kept going from there. I got the outfit and for 6 years I've been going around. 2 years ago I went down to Lincoln Kansas for their celebration. I've been to the senior center, Holdrege museum, Elma senior center."

"I haven't shaved since 1970's centennial."