Bloomfield, Washington County, Ohio facts for kids
Bloomfield is a small place in the U.S. state of Ohio. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or a village. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Washington County. People in unincorporated communities rely on the county for services like roads and police.
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History of Bloomfield
Bloomfield was first planned and settled around the year 1840. When a community is "laid out," it means people decided where streets and buildings would go. This was a common way for new settlements to begin in the 1800s.
Early Businesses in Bloomfield
In its early days, Bloomfield was a busy little center for the people living nearby. It had important businesses that helped the community grow.
The Gristmill
One key business was a gristmill. A gristmill is a place where grain, like corn or wheat, is ground into flour or meal. Farmers would bring their crops to the mill. The mill used large grinding stones, often powered by water, to turn the grain into food. This was very important for making bread and other foods for the community.
The Sawmill
Bloomfield also had a sawmill. A sawmill cuts logs into lumber, which is wood used for building. With a sawmill, people could easily get wood to build houses, barns, and other structures. This helped the community expand and develop.
The Brewery
Another business in early Bloomfield was a brewery. A brewery makes drinks like beer. In the 1800s, breweries were often local businesses. They provided beverages for the people living in and around the community.
Life in 19th Century Bloomfield
Life in Bloomfield in the 1840s would have been very different from today. Most people worked in farming or in the local businesses like the mills. The community would have been a central spot for farmers to sell their goods and get supplies. These early businesses were vital for the people living in the area. They helped Bloomfield become a small hub for trade and daily life in Washington County.
