Video Transcript: The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to present this audio adaptation of the interpretive sign located on the B-Line Trail at its intersection with 7th Street in Bloomington, Indiana.
(Image) blue City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department logo
Railroads and Industry
The arrival of railroad transportation brought the mechanism for moving large quantities of goods in and out of the city. Early industries sprang up along the tracks and railroad stations.
John R. Figg Building and Bloomington Wholesale Foods
(Image) Black and white image of the Tom Taylor Foods building courtesy of CFC Properties.
The John R. Figg building was built in 1920 as Bloomington Wholesale Foods warehouse and distribution center. Tom Taylor Foods used the building until it was purchased by CFC Properties in 1988. Its location next to the B-Line Trail, formerly the Louisville, New Albany and Salem/Monon Railroad, permitted easy loading onto rail cars. Initially built as a warehouse, the building was adapted for retail uses in 1988.
Sign transcript: Railroads and Industry
The arrival of railroad transportation brought the mechanism for moving large quantities of goods in and out of the city. Early industries sprang up along the tracks and railroad stations. John R. Figg Building/Bloomington Wholesale Foods. The John R. Figg building was built in 1920 as Bloomington Wholesale Foods warehouse and distribution center. Tom Taylor Foods used the building until it was purchased by CFC Properties in 1988. Its location next to the B-Line Trail (formerly the Louisville, New Albany and Salem/Monon Railroad) permitted easy loading onto rail cars. Initially built as a warehouse, the building was adapted for retail uses in 1988.
Coal distributers dotted the rail line. Notice the Showers Building in the background. Coal distributors dotted the rail line. Notice the Showers Building in the background.
Illinois Central Freight Depot
Originally a one-story building, the depot was built in 1906 adjacent to a mill. A spur of the Illinois Central Railroad tracks passed this depot, along Railroad Street, later renamed Morton Street. A second story was added to the depot in 1922.
Can you find the depot?
Many buildings were built with one side parallel to the tracks, giving the building a polygon shape. 1927 Map of Bloomington, used with permission.
Copyright, Sandborn Fire Insurance Company. Many buildings were built
with one side parallel to the tracks, giving the building a polygon shape. Pike Lumber, located on Morton Street, formerly Railroad Street.
Pike Lumber took advantage of being close to the tracks. From Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Trustees of Indiana University.