Please feel free to use the Bloomingpedia Forums for long discussions about articles.
Kirkwood Avenue
From Bloomingpedia
Kirkwood Avenue is the name for 5th Street between the Indiana University Sample Gates and Rose Hill Cemetery. With its wide array of bars, restaurants, and businesses, It serves as a popular spot for IU students and Bloomington residents. It was named after astronomer Daniel Kirkwood in 1895. Kirkwood initially ran through the Indiana University campus until 1987 when the Sample Gates were constructed. Although the street is official named Kirkwood along all of 5th Street, many people consider "Kirkwood" to only be the part between The Square and the IU campus.
In the summer of 2000, life was dramatically changed on the east part of Kirkwood when the city initiated The Big Dig to revamp the 100 year-old storm sewer system underneath Kirkwood. The dig area on Kirkwood was mostly between Dunn Street and Grant Street, although traffic was closed between Indiana Avenue and Grant Street. This affected several of the businesses in this area as it was difficult for customers to access storefronts. The project finished in October of 2000.
There is a stretch of Kirkwood/5th Street that still bears the title "5th Street". It begins at Union Street and progresses eastward for one half of a mile before dead-ending near The Bypass.
Contents |
Kirkwood Businesses
Entertainment
Restaurants
(This list is not yet complete.)
Shops
- Bicycle Garage
- The Den - located near the corner of Indiana Avenue and Kirkwood Avenue
- The Emporium - located near the Square, many locals know this as the business resting on the grave of 25th Century Five and Dime
- Fountain Square Mall plays host to many local shops and businesses
Peoples Park
Peoples Park is a long-time hangout for local skaters and other people enjoying a break. Despite remodeling in recent years and the introduction of a summer lunchtime concert series, the park remains the turf of skaters and players of hacky sack. The parking lot directly adjacent is an IU lot (A, C and limited visitor meters).
Monroe County Public Library
The MCPL is located on Kirkwood Avenue between Grant Street and Lincoln Street.

