Bloomington is three and one-half miles southwest of St.George. In 1870 a small group of settlers led by William Carpenter and Harrison Pearce separated from Price, an early settlement two miles south of St.George. They moved one mile further south, near the Virgin River, to establish their own community. Lars James Larsen built the first house, which was made of rock, and for a period of time the community was known as St. James in honor of Larsen. Shortly after, noticing and appreciating the beautiful spring flowers appearing on the hillsides two to three weeks earlier than elsewhere, the settlers named their community Bloomington. A series of alternating flashfloods and drought began in 1880 and people began moving to other areas. For all practical purposes the community was abandoned by 1930. Today as people realize the advantages and opportunities of Bloomington's milder climate it has re-developed as a vital new residential area with a community center, golf course, and beautiful homes.

John W. Van Cott