User:Pricepe/sandbox

BLOOMINGTON* (Washington) 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 flash floods 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. S14,T43S,R16W,SLM; 2,480'.