Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

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Photos Don Toon (ABOVE) At the Woolery Stone Quarry, a derrick hoists limestone from the ledges. The limestone is loaded onto a railroad car and then trans- ported to the mill for finishing and cutting. (ABOVE LEFT) Blocks of finished stone are stacked by job in preparation for delivery. (LEFT) These limestone foundry work- ers put the final touches on the smoothly finished stone. (OPPOSITE) Bob Woolery. foundry worker, watches as a large gang saw prepares to cut two more blocks of limestone. Water is poured down through the stone as it is cut in order to keep the blades cool. 11

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Limestone forms Bloomington foundation In its heyday, Indiana limestone was the most sought-after building material in the country. Kicking off the lime- stone craze was the Monroe County Courthouse built in 1829 . It was the first building to be constructed of the light- colored stone. The birth of the industry did not occur until 1850 with the development of the railroad. Limestone as a building mate- rial was used at a growing rate until the Great Depression when the industry rose and fell with the national economy. After World War II, the use of limestone climbed steadily until 1955. At that time, limestone production leveled off at about 600,000 tons a year and began to decline in 1963. According to local authorities, the industry ' s 14-year de- cline is nearly over. Changing architectural fashions and energy conservation factors are contributing to the upswing, William McDonald, architectural services director of the Indiana Limestone In- stitute, said. In terms of conservation, limestone is good because of its ability to insulate. Stone is the best conductor of energy, Clayton Holmes, general manager of the Independent Limes- tone company, said. In a stone building, less heating or air- conditioning is needed than for a glass building of similar size, he said. Another highlight of the limestone industry is that In- diana reserves of the stone will last indefinitely. We will not run out of Indiana building stone within the life pros- pects of the human race, John Patton, state geologist of the Indiana Geological Survey, said. Monroe and Lawrence counties, Patton said, produce more limestone than any other area in the United States. Il 1 5 1 ' 1 Ml ■■ ' ■ r I V; 1 1 . « J- ' i - V 5.: Un t M M XWi ik j - . n -

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Downtown undergoes transit-tion The downtown area of a city used to be the heart of a community, a central area where residents took care of necessary business and shopping while meeti ng friends and neighbors. But our computerized and corporate society built suburban malls which often turned the hub of a community into a ghost town, and drove small merchants into un- employment lines. In 1964, Bloomington ' s downtown area was also threatened by a mall. The competition of climate-controlled indoor shopping and free parking was increased by the fact that stores in the College Mall catered to the needs and likes of the student population. Granted, Bloomington consists of more than college students, but an economic resource of 30,000-plus students can ' t be ignored. A compromise between the mall and downtown was needed in order to serve both resident and student popula- tions. Keeping Bloomington ' s downtown alive was a must, so changes were made. In addition to the old, established stores which serve all generations, there are now downtown stores which have items of particular appeal to a young population — candles, unique kitchenwares, eastern im- ports, leather goods and fashionable clothing. The mixture of new ideas in old textures is expressed in the architectural facades of the stores. Archaic, columned second and third stories top the buildings of sleek, street- level exteriors and modern window displays. A sculptured, domed courthouse contrasts with the modern stone planters on street corners, but each has its place in Bloomington cul- ture. New benches, two wooden sculptures and a fountain have made Bloomington ' s downtown area a more inviting place. What began as a threat to downtown merchants resulted in an impetus for changes beneficial to all Bloomington res- idents. More changes are expected for the future as the work of preserving the old with the new continues in downtown Bloomington. Robin Garrett (RIGHT) In a unique combination of priorities, the city of Bloomington en- couraged both specialty stores and all-purpose stores, such as this hardware store, to increase downtown shopping. (OPPOSITE, LOWER LEFT) Catering to the after-movie crowd, this soda foun- tain next to the Indiana Theatre in- creased its evening hours. Late-night shoppers also found the way to satiate the thirst of a long day ' s shopping was fountain ' s specialty — ice cream sodas. (OPPOSITE. MIDDLE LEFT) Increased alley lighting and a new wooden sculpture which doubles as monkey- bars make this alley an attractive place for parents to herd their children while shopping. (OPPOSITE. ABOVE RIGHT) Catering to the needs of older citizens — many of whom see if as their only available means of transportation — has long been an aim of the Bloomington Transit System. This lady is availing herself of one of the new Mercedes- Benz mini-buses. 12 ID Schwalm