Advocacy

Historic Districts

Bloomington–Normal’s historic districts are the foundation of our community’s character. From Downtown to neighborhoods like White Place and Franklin Square, these places showcase the architecture, history, and stories that shaped who we are.

Preserving them isn’t just about the past—it’s about protecting what makes our community unique today. Historic districts support vibrant neighborhoods, encourage thoughtful development, and keep our shared identity intact.

We’re here to advocate for these places. Explore the districts below and see why they matter.

Designated Historic Districts

Note: Each district below is recognized for its historic and architectural significance. Designations may include:
National Register (federal recognition) and/or Local District (city-level protection).

Cedar Crest (Normal) - National Register & Local District
North of Division Street, south of Highland Avenue, West of Constitution Trail and east of Fell Avenue. The first comprehensively designed subdivision in the town. Almost all the houses there are original to the 1914-1930 period of development are thought to be the work of architect Aaron Simmons. His designs contribute to the visual unity of the area.

Downtown Bloomington (Bloomington) - Local District
Roughly bordered by East, Center and Locust Streets and the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks. (selected individual addresses are S-4) The 100 year time span of development, 1842-1942, chronicles the changes in styles, technology, and building materials. Buildings both before and after the downtown fire of June 1900 exist in this area.

Davis-Jefferson (Bloomington) - Local District
Includes portions of 900-1100 East Jefferson Street and 202 and 204 Davis Street. Large, comfortable private residences characterize this district of late 19c and early 20c houses. East Grove Street Historic District, Bloomington Includes 400-700 East Grove Street and is bounded on the west by Gridley Street and on the east by Clinton Street. A residential area notable for houses of many individuals prominent in Bloomington's growth in mid 19c -early 20c and for its continuum of development periods, 1850s through early 20c Arts and Crafts style.

East Grove Street (Bloomington) - National Register & Local District
Bounded on the west by Gridley Street and on the east by Clinton Street, with primary addresses along the 400–700 blocks of East Grove Street. This district features homes dating from the 1850s through the early 20th century, reflecting a long continuum of residential development. It includes a mix of architectural styles, including notable Arts and Crafts influences, and was home to several individuals significant in Bloomington’s growth.

Fell Park (Normal) - Local District
Bounded by Oak, Cyprus, North Walnut, and Willow Streets. Fell Park Historic District is centered around Fell Park, a key feature of Normal’s earliest planned development. Established as part of the town’s first addition in 1857, the park was intentionally placed at the center of the neighborhood as a civic and recreational focal point—reflecting early ideas about public space and community planning.

The district includes surrounding residential streets developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with homes that reflect a range of architectural styles and periods of growth. This mix illustrates how the neighborhood evolved over time while maintaining its original street layout and central park structure.

A defining feature of the district is the historic water tower, donated by the Fell family to provide a reliable water source for the surrounding area. This contribution highlights the family’s role in the early development of Normal and the importance of local investment in infrastructure during the town’s formative years.

Franklin Square (Bloomington) - National Register & Local District
Franklin Square is centered around Franklin Park, Bloomington’s first public park, established in 1856. The park was donated to the city by David Davis, William F. Flagg, and William H. Allin with the intention that it remain a permanent public space for recreation and gathering.

The surrounding district developed over several decades, with homes built from the mid-19th through early 20th centuries. As a result, Franklin Square features a wide range of architectural styles, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Georgian Revival, and Romanesque Revival. Many of the homes were designed by notable regional architects and reflect the prosperity of Bloomington’s early civic leaders and professionals.

The neighborhood is also notable for its association with prominent Illinois figures, including former Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson I and Governor Joseph W. Fifer, who both lived in the district.

Highland (Normal) - Local District
All properties on the west side of South Fell Avenue from Glenn Avenue to Highland Avenue; the north side of Highland from South Fell to Prospect Avenue; the east side of Prospect from Highland to Virginia Avenue; the north and south sides of Virginia from South Fell to Prospect; the north side of Virginia from Prospect to Franklin Avenue; and the east side of Franklin from Virginia to Sugar Creek. An area of residences with a wide variety of styles. Many were built between 1920 and 1940 though the oldest one was built in 1889. Contains singular examples of special historic value.

​Old North Normal (Normal) - Local District
The 500 through 800 blocks of Normal Avenue on both sides of the street; the 500 through 700 blocks of School Street on both sides of the street; the 800 block of School Street on the west side of the street; 407, 409, 411, and 413 Normal Avenue; the 300 block of Gregory Street and the 300 block of Clay Street. The most recent of Normal's historic districts focuses on the patterns of northward development from the original central downtown area.

North Roosevelt Avenue (Bloomington) - Local District
Bounded by Union Street, West Empire Street, North Lee Street, and North Madison Street. Largely a working class residential area. Many residents were Irish and Hungarian immigrants who chose to live near the Chicago and Alton Railroad shops on the west side of Bloomington.

White Place (Bloomington) - National Register & Local District
The west side of Fell Avenue between University and Phoenix; the east side of Fell Avenue between Empire Street and Emerson Street; Clinton Boulevard; and White Place.

White Place is one of Bloomington’s most distinctive historic residential neighborhoods, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an upper-class subdivision. Designed with a strong sense of identity, the district was laid out with intentional planning that set it apart from surrounding development.

The neighborhood is known for its grand, architecturally significant homes that reflect popular styles of the period, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and early Prairie influences. Many residences feature detailed craftsmanship, large porches, and prominent street-facing façades that highlight the prominence of their original owners.

White Place also retains several defining landscape features that reinforce its historic character, including original brick-paved streets, stone entry gates off Empire Street, and a historic fountain. These elements contribute to a strong sense of place and continuity that remains largely intact today.