New Bloomfield is a small but mighty town whose incorporation in 1959 paved the way for big improvements.
Location
New Bloomfield is located in Callaway County 10 miles southwest of Fulton and 10 miles north of Jefferson City, just west of U.S. Highway 54. The USGS coordinates are Latitude 38°71’09” N Longitude 92°09’71”W. The Atlas indicates that it is located in Twn 46N, Rng R10W.
Settlement
In the 1884 History of Callaway County, New Bloomfield was listed as "a station on the Missouri Division of the Chicago and Alton Railroad, twelve miles southwest of Fulton.”
The first post office in the area was listed as Round Prairie in 1828, which lay about 2 miles west southwest of modern New Bloomfield. According to the historical account, the village of New Bloomfield was laid out in 1836 by Enoch Murry on his land and had a population of approximately 100. In 1829 John Fry, the newly appointed postmaster, moved his post office from Round Prairie to his lands on the newly created State Road. In 1841, the determination was made that it was necessary to change the postal designation of the village. Murray’s plat designation as named, Bloomfield, could not be used since there was already a Bloomfield postal village in Stoddard County, Missouri. On June 16, 1841, Round Prairie Post Office officially became New Bloomfield Post Office, probably the name choice of Postmaster James D. McGary, the first Postmaster of the newly designated postal community.
Growth
Although the community of New Bloomfield was not incorporated in the early years, it was a thriving community deriving most of its’ growth and population increase because of the Chicago & Alton Railroad which was completed in 1872. As of the last decade of the 19th century, due to its’ location in the southern half of the county and its’ location on the State Road, New Bloomfield found itself in the position of being the hub for the roads in the southern half of the county. This placed New Bloomfield as the center of commerce in this area of the county. By 1884, the town supported numerous businesses including a bank; a hotel; two restaurants; hardware, feed, and grocery stores; a blacksmith shop; sale barn; and a real estate office.
In the late 1950s, a group was formed with the intent of incorporating the city so that it could avail itself of government grants and further improve services to the citizens. On Feb. 21, 1959, the city was incorporated under the guidance of Mayor Edith McClellan. It wasn’t until 1989 that a group of concerned citizens funded the construction of city hall through donations. The 2010 census listed the population as 669.
Governance
The City of New Bloomfield is governed by a Mayor and four Aldermen who are elected by the people of the City. The Mayor and two Aldermen are elected in even-numbered years, and the other two Aldermen are elected in odd-numbered years. All members of the Governing Board serve two-year terms. The Board of Alderman adopts all ordinances and resolutions and determines the general goals and policies of the City.
Infrastructure
After the city was incorporated, a city water system was completed on July 26, 1962. The city sewage system was later installed on Sept. 9, 1977. Asphalt streets, street lights and street markers also updated the town.
According to the New Bloomfield News dated April 22, 1904, long-distance telephone service was available to the people. On Nov. 8, 1962, Mid-State Telephone Company constructed a new underground dial telephone service in the area, and it was later bought by United Telephone. In 1983, direct dial service nationwide was available.
The volunteer fire department was started by the Lions Club in 1950. In 1993, it became tax-supported, and it has since expanded to a substation in Guthrie. The New Bloomfield Rural Fire Association, Inc. was formed on Nov. 23, 1976, with David W. West as president.
Economy
Over the years that followed the incorporation, many businesses popped up, including general stores, blacksmith shops and others to serve the local population.
In 1983, Highway 54 bypassed New Bloomfield. More goods and services became available in the larger cities of Fulton and Jefferson City, so small businesses that were in New Bloomfield disappeared.
Although New Bloomfield has had several banking facilities, the town went 42 years without banking service at one point. In 1973, First National Bank of Callaway County opened a branch in New Bloomfield. The bank changed owners and names over the last 50 plus years and today is a branch of Central Bank.
Inside the city limits and on the outskirts of town, you will find several automotive repair businesses, a bank, convenience store, daycare facilities, event center, golf course and country club, horse training and boarding stables, post office, storage unit business, the Sam Timbrook Home and Sunset Ranch, and much more.
The recent addition of the Dollar General store helps with sales tax revenues for the City in making improvements for the betterment of the community.
Education
A school has been located in the town since Sept. 2, 1867. The New Bloomfield R-III School is located in the city. The New Bloomfield school grew to incorporate a four-year high school and graduated classes in 1912 and 1913. As a result of a school fire, a new brick school was completed in 1917 to serve grade school and a four-year high school which graduated its’ first class in 1923.
In 1985, surveying began for a new school. This same year the school took third place in baseball in the state and for the first time, the basketball team went to state.
Several new additions were added, and the class of 1997 had its graduation in the new high school gymnasium. Presently, there is a new sports complex, current classes and programs to meet the needs of all students, updated technology programs and additional administration positions.
Religion
New Bloomfield currently has three churches, Baptist, Christian, and Methodist. A Cowboy Church is located at Sunset Ranch. The Presbyterian Church dissolution took place on April 12, 1921.
Events
From 1908 to 1915, the Callaway County Fair was held in New Bloomfield. A permanent fairground was located in the west part of town. It included a grandstand and three large barns that were erected on 15 acres of land from the Ewing Guthrie farm.
Today
The City has had its ups and downs but thanks are owed to those who volunteer their time to its improvement. New Bloomfield celebrated its 175 year anniversary in 2011. New Bloomfield continues to grow in population as people move out of the cities and into smaller communities.
A city park, with a shelter house, tennis court, basketball court and picnic area, now occupy the railroad right-of-way. Meadow Lake Acres Country Club is located 1 mile south of the city limits. It offers a swimming pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course to its members.
Two broadcasting TV stations are located in New Bloomfield; Channel 13, a CBS affiliate and Channel 25, a Christian Television Network Station.
The Lions Club is still active in the community, and the Civic Association actively participates with the Farmers Market and publishes the Newsblaster. The New Bloomfield Area Historical Society was organized in 2006 and has built a museum to preserve the history of the community. For youth, the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and New Bloomer 4-H Cruisers available.
Compiled January 2021
For more information and resources contact the Research Center.
New Bloomfield, Missouri
IMAGES OF New Bloomfield, MISSOURI
