Living in the Limestone Capital of the World in Bedford
Surrounded by quarries, Bedford deems itself as the Limestone Capital of the World. “That’s our claim to fame,” says Joyce Shepherd, a librarian with the Lawrence County Museum of History. “They’ve been doing limestone here since the 1890s.” Limestone quarried from Bedford has gone over to build the Pentagon, the National Cathedral and the Empire State Building, as well as buildings around Bedford. While companies like Indiana Limestone and Stone City Products keep the limestone industry alive in Bedford, life here isn’t just about stone. As the biggest city in the county, Bedford offers plenty of amenities for its over 13,000 residents and others across Lawrence County.
Indiana Limestone blocks are carefully extracted from their historic quarries.
The historic limestone quarries of Bedford have supplied stone to famous sites across America.
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Bedford limestone used to build downtown's shops and restaurants
In the center of downtown, Courthouse Square offers restaurants, boutiques and shops in the historic limestone buildings. In the center, the courthouse gives the square its name, towering over the rest of the buildings in the seat of Lawrence County. Town Fair Center on the western side of town offers supermarkets, box stores and fast-food chains along James Avenue and Becky Skillman Way.
Downtown Bedford is lined with local shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
Town Fair Center has variety of retail options like Dunham's Sports.
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Golfing and swimming at Bedford's local parks
On the far eastern side of Bedford, Otis Park Golf Course features more limestone monuments alongside its golf, disc golf and soccer amenities. The big limestone bandshell hosts local concerts and people can walk over the creek on the stone bridge. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the John Lowery Municipal Pool opens at Thorton Park. The park also offers a playground and a skatepark. Cutting across the city, Milwaukee Road Transportation Trailway is a 10-mile rail trail for walking and biking.
Otis Park Golf Course comprises over 6,400 yards of rolling hills and challenging slopes.
The Bandshell near Otis Park is an impressive stone structure in Bedford.
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New and historic homes around Bedford
Bedford’s median housing price is $200,000, which is far lower than the median value for the rest of the country. Homes range from historic traditional homes and American Foursquares built at the turn of the century to more contemporary bungalows and ranch-style homes. According to FBI data, property crime and violent crime levels in Bedford are typically lower than those at the national and state level.
Bedford’s median housing price is $200,000.
Homes range from historic traditional homes and American Foursquares to Bungalows.
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Bedford's public school district shared with the county
Rated a B-minus from Niche, North Lawrence Community Schools includes five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
The student population of Bedford Middle School is 562 and the school serves 7-8.
The student population of Parkview Elementary School is 513 and the school serves PK-6.
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Celebrating Bedford's limestone history
On the last weekend of every June, the Limestone Heritage Festival is the finale of Limestone Month. Celebrations include a parade, local vendors, concerts and live limestone carvings, all ending in a fireworks show. For the first Saturday in December, Bedford Christmas Around the Square features a Christmas market in Courthouse Square with free pictures with Santa and live reindeer. Also in Courthouse Square, the Bedford Farmers Market takes place on Sunday mornings, showcasing local vendors and producers.
Getting around Bedford and Lawrence County
16th Street runs through the center of Bedford, linking people with downtown and the west side’s shopping centers. Highway 50 and Indiana Route 37 extend from Bedford, connecting the city with the rest of the county. Train tracks cut through the city, stopping at the factories and warehouses. Residents may hear the trains as they pass through. Bedford usually sees snow in the winter, so the city routinely plows and salts the roads. In the spring, the city conducts regular street cleaning to clear leftover salt.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
Photography Contributed By
Cory Cornelius
Video By
Francesco Basti
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Laura Stevens,
an experienced agent in this area.
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