The Near West Side, Prospect Hill, Maple Heights and McDoel Gardens are close-in neighborhoods with older homes near downtown. This is where you’ll find Bloomington’s historic homes, from 1890s gabled-ell cottages to Craftsman bungalows, most of them within walking or biking distance of the square.
See how they fit with the rest of town on Bloomington’s neighborhoods at a glance.
Four neighborhoods, side by side
All four grew up around downtown in the late 1800s and early 1900s as housing for workers at the limestone mills, the railroad and the Showers furniture factory. The homes tend to be modest in size, on smaller lots with alleys, front porches and limestone retaining walls. The Near West Side runs west of downtown, north of Kirkwood. Prospect Hill sits on the hill southwest of downtown, south of Kirkwood. Maple Heights is north of the Near West Side, around Maple and Fairview Streets. McDoel Gardens is south of downtown, next to Switchyard Park and the B-Line.
The four areas at a glance
Photo to come: Prospect Hill: hilly street of older homes
Alt text: Street of older homes in Prospect Hill, Bloomington
Prospect Hill
The hilltop streets around Maple and Rogers, with some of the oldest homes in town.
Photo to come: Near West Side: a block of older homes close to downtown
Alt text: Older homes on a Near West Side street in Bloomington
Near West Side
Blocks of porches and big old trees just a few minutes from the square.
Photo to come: Maple Heights: typical street and homes
Alt text: Homes on a Maple Heights street in Bloomington
Maple Heights
Quiet streets of small cottages north of the Near West Side.
Photo to come: McDoel Gardens: bungalows near the B-Line
Alt text: Historic bungalows in McDoel Gardens, Bloomington
McDoel Gardens
Artist bungalows and cottages close to the B-Line and Switchyard Park.
Prospect Hill
Prospect Hill is a fun, quirky neighborhood and one of Bloomington’s oldest, with homes dating to the mid-1800s. You’ll find gabled-ell cottages, Queen Annes and bungalows, plus Bloomington’s last intact Gothic-style house on South Maple. It’s very walkable, and right next door is Rose Hill Cemetery: the quietest neighbors in town. The hills mean steep driveways, stone steps and a lot of on-street parking. Prospect Hill is a local historic district with its own design guidelines, so research them before you plan any exterior repairs or changes to your home.
Near West Side
The Near West Side is a National Register historic district with nearly 400 historic homes: gabled-ells, Queen Annes, foursquares and bungalows, many on small lots along alleys. Fairview Street got its name from its hilltop view of the courthouse square. Grab a coffee at Hopscotch on Madison Street, just a short walk from the square.
Maple Heights
Maple Heights was once a 160-acre family farm, divided into lots between 1889 and 1923. The homes are smaller and simpler than in Prospect Hill: cottages, shotguns and California bungalows on quiet residential streets.
McDoel Gardens
McDoel Gardens has a strong arts community, with historic bungalows and cottages close to the B-Line, Switchyard Park and downtown. Many homes on Dixie, Dodds and Wylie are mail-order Sears kit houses from the 1920s, and you’ll see limestone retaining walls all through the neighborhood. Nearby, you’ll find Cardinal Spirits for craft cocktails and Hoosier Heights for indoor climbing.
Getting downtown and to the B-Line Trail
All four neighborhoods are close enough to walk or bike to the square. The B-Line Trail runs along their east side, from Switchyard Park past McDoel Gardens, through downtown and up toward Maple Heights. It’s an easy way to get to restaurants, the farmers market and festivals without looking for parking.
Buying an older close-in home
Homes this age deserve a thorough inspection. Look closely at the foundation, wiring, plumbing, the roof and any old stone walls. Many lots are small, and parking is often on the street or off an alley. All four neighborhoods include local historic or conservation districts, which means exterior changes, additions, new construction or demolition may need approval from the City of Bloomington’s Historic Preservation Commission. Before you buy, check whether the home is in one and what that covers.
Curious about the Near West Side?
Ask me how Prospect Hill, Maple Heights, McDoel Gardens and the Near West Side compare for the home you’re after.