Bloomington Historical Society banner

Bloomington History Clock Tower Summary

Panel 7 depicts a community in full bloom.

1961 - 1978

Major League and
Boom Years

Two major freeways, I-35W and I-494, brought Bloomington commercial and industrial growth. Civic organizations and libraries thrived in the prosperous community. With Metropolitan Stadium and the Metropolitan Sports Center, national attention was drawn to Bloomington as the home of major league teams - the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings and the North Stars. Two new high schools - John F. Kennedy built in 1964 and Thomas Jefferson built in 1970 - were needed to educate the large number of students.

Bloomington residents, over 82,000 strong in 1978, valued their deep roots here as shown in their pride of home, education, community, work and leisure time.

< Previous Next >

Watercolor renditions © 1996 by Elizabeth Hood Anderson, Artist. History Note Cards are a project of Bloomington Community Foundation and the Bloomington History Clock Tower Association.