The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Arts Commission commissioned a sculptural installation for Switchyard Park per the Percentage for the Arts Program (Chapter 2.12.021 of Bloomington’s Municipal Code) The selected art pieces, “North Star” on the west side of the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad restroom building, and “Hoosier Line” on the east side of the same building, were designed and fabricated by the artistic team of Tom Fansler and Rachel Kavathe of Tiii Environments. According to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton, in his remarks at the artwork dedication on Nov. 19, 2021, “The artwork both honors the history of Bloomington as a railroad hub along a corridor where people made things, and to highlight and memorialize another important transit system: The Underground Railroad. Members of the Bloomington community participated in this path to freedom for oppressed people of color escaping slavery. The “North Star” and “Hoosier Line” artwork honors and preserves these histories, instills a sense of pride in what our community members have done as builders, makers, craftspeople, artisans and activists, and teaches us how we can improve in the future.
A designated Monroe County African American Cultural Site, “The Underground Railroad” interpretive sign located near the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad restroom building, was researched and written by Liz Mitchell and Erin Carter and developed in partnership with the Monroe County History Center.
North Star
Located on the west side of the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza spray pad building.
Hoosier Line
Located on the east side of the building.
