Bloomington, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bloomington, Missouri
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 Bloomington, Missouri
Location in Missouri
Bloomington, Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Macon |
| Elevation | 823 ft (251 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 660 |
| GNIS feature ID | 740681 |
Bloomington is a small, quiet place in Macon County, Missouri, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it is a settlement that does not have its own local government. Instead, it is managed by the county. Bloomington is located about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of the town of Bevier.
Bloomington: A Historic Missouri Community
Bloomington has a very interesting past. It was founded in 1837, making it the oldest community in Macon County. For many years, it was a very important place.
The Story of Bloomington
When Bloomington was first established, it had a different name: Box Ankle. It quickly became the "county seat" of Macon County. A county seat is like the main town or capital of a county. It's where the county government offices are located. People would go there for important meetings and to take care of official business.
Bloomington served as the county seat until 1863. During the American Civil War, the town faced big challenges. It was a place where many people supported the state's side in the conflict. When soldiers from the Union army arrived, the town's future changed.
To avoid the town being destroyed, the people of Bloomington made an agreement with the Union soldiers. They agreed to elect new leaders who supported the Union. However, even after the election, the town was still significantly damaged. The county seat was then moved to the city of Macon.
Bloomington Today
After these events, Bloomington never fully recovered its former importance. Over time, many people moved away. Today, Bloomington is often called a ghost town. This means it is a place where most of the buildings are empty, and very few people live there. It stands as a reminder of its long and dramatic history.
