In 1835 a committee was appointed to select a spot for the county seat of Stoddard County. The spot chosen was on fifty acres donated by Absalom Bailey, after holding court in a local home, a small brick courthouse was constructed along with a log jail. In 1856, money was set aside to build a new courthouse. Bloomfield was incorporated in 1835 and quickly became one of the most important communities west of the Mississippi River (The Bloomfield Vindicator October 26, 1977).
N. Prairie St.
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Just after the turn of the century, Bloomfield began to host Chautauqua where Missouri and Viola streets intersected. Bloomfield was the hose to many special programs such as a stock show, parades, and even the occasional speaker such as William Jennings Bryan who visited Bloomfield to promote his populist ideas (Bloomfield Vindicator, October 26, 1977).
Looking north from the courthouse.
Buck store can be seen closest to the photographer on the left. The Buck Store Company was established in 1858 by Henry Miller and was later acquired by Elijah Miller and John L. Buck. Then it was owned by John L. Buck and J. E. Boyd and became Buck and Boyd until 1902 when it was changed to Buck Store Company. Upon the death of Buck, ownership fell on his sons and son-in-law. Another store in town was Ezzell-Aslin Store Company, owned by Harry L. Harty, John R. Ezzell, and Elmer A. Aslin. John H. Maupin owned a restaurant that served various steaks, vegetables, fruits, and drinks on tap or bottle.
Looking south from Missouri St. and North Prairie intersection.
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Bloomfield Vindicator Photo from October 26, 1977 issue.
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Looking north on North Prairie St.
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Shawnee and Spring St.
Looking east from the school, January 1903
