Bloomington Yesterday: Southtown Center in 1970

In 1970, a photo was captured near what is now Huntington Bank at the intersection of Penn Avenue South and West 79th Street. This photo shows the entrance of Southtown Center, a Bloomington staple since it opened on November 3, 1960, as the city’s first regional shopping center.

Developed by Kraus-Anderson, the center initially featured a large Montgomery Ward store and later added amenities such as the AMF Bowling Center in 1963 and the Mann Theatre in 1964. At the time of the photo, the theater was showing “Song of Norway.”

Southtown Center has evolved over the years, replacing the theater with more retail space and adapting to changing trends. Today, it remains a significant and well-frequented spot for Bloomington residents.