The following has been submitted by the Logan County History Center:
By: Mary E. Mortimer
Bloomfield Township, established in 1832, is in western Logan County, bordered by the Great Miami River to the east and Shelby County to the west. Several waterways, including Muchinippi Creek, Brandywine Creek, and Rum Creek, flow through the township before joining the river. Agriculture has historically been the township’s primary industry.
Early settlers held religious meetings in their homes, and traveling ministers, known as circuit riders, visited the Rum Creek area to deliver sermons and support the spiritual needs of the community. As the population grew, a dedicated place of worship became necessary. In 1836, a Methodist meeting house was constructed west of Bloom Center. This meeting house remained in use until a new church building was completed within the village.
A second group of Methodists established the Rum Creek Methodist Episcopal Church in 1838 and rebuilt their church after a fire destroyed it in 1860. The third Rum Creek United Methodist Church was completed in 1898. It still stands and continues to serve the community at County Roads 59 and 34.
Two additional congregations, the German Reformed Church and the Muchinippi Christian Church, were founded in 1854. The present Muchinippi Church, constructed in 1898 at 12306 State Route 274, became the home of both congregations when they merged in 1926. The former Reformed Church was later used as a barn. In 1979, a tragic accident occurred when a vehicle struck the Muchinippi Church, resulting in the deaths of Perry B. Reese and David S. Wade. The collision caused the church to catch fire, which led to significant damage to the building.
Bloomfield Township once operated seven one-room schoolhouses: Fairview No. 1, Bloom Center No. 2, Muchinippi No. 3, Rum Creek No. 4, Smith No. 5, Sycamore No. 6, and Wright Special No. 7. This number of schools throughout the township ensured that children did not have to travel far to attend school.
Bloom Center, occasionally spelled Bloomcenter on historic maps, is the township’s only village. Established in 1852 at the intersection of County Roads 60 and 21, it grew steadily through the late 19th century. By 1875, the village had a general store, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, a Methodist Church, a German Reformed Church, a post office, a township house (which served as the polling place), and a local physician.
In the late 1880s, David Bayer operated a clay tile factory after working initially as a ditch digger. This factory provided essential materials for drainage throughout the township. After a period of successful operation, Bayer decided to relocate the business to Lakeview.
There was big news in 1893, when a gas well was drilled to a depth of 1,400 feet. The Bellefontaine Gazette reported this achievement, describing the well as “a real hummer,” highlighting its significance and productivity. By approximately 1913, the Sycamore Gas Company had expanded operations and was managing more than ten gas wells situated east of Bloom Center.
The Hotel Valentine was one of the largest buildings in Bloom Center. In December 1901, a devastating fire broke out, resulting in the complete destruction of the hotel. At the time, the building also housed the local telephone exchange, which was an important communication hub for the area. Unfortunately, the fire spread so rapidly that there was not enough time to use the telephone system to send out an alarm or call for assistance.
During the 1930s, after the annual oat harvest, township trustees coordinated gravel hauling for road improvements with local farmers. The farmers supplied 50–60 wagons and received $4.00 per day for a man and team. In 1936, trustees authorized the Logan County Cooperative Power and Light Association to install electric transmission and distribution lines in Bloomfield Township.
One notable business owner, Orville F. Brandt, purchased the IGA grocery store on Main Street in 1934. He also operated a huckster route to surrounding towns. With rural electrification underway, Brandt built a larger, modernized store in 1936, offering groceries, general merchandise, shoes, clothing, and Standard Oil products. The storefront featured a single Sohio gasoline pump and a large cooler stocked with assorted sodas. The store operated until Orville and Faye Brandt closed it in 1956.
Despite its small size, Bloom Center has long supported a variety of businesses. Its post office operated from 1852 to 1905. Today, Bloomfield Township has a population of approximately 417 residents.
Visit the Logan County History Center to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
