Need help editing articles? Start out with the new Introduction to Editing Articles Video.
Bloomingpedia:This week's featured article/2007 Week 2
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 the street. 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.
