In the heart of Butler County, Kansas, the Bloomington township became the home of John R. Crowley who began purchasing land to assemble one of the largest in the area in 1897.  Upon arrival to the area in 1881 as a 16 year old young man from Kentucky, he began working on the Kibbie Ranch just a few miles west of where he would later raise his family.  Over the years, the Crowley Ranch grew to total of over 2,200 acres of varying ground that included rich bottom ground for crops, rivers, creeks, natural springs ,and  native grass lands on the edge of the Flint Hills.  The 400+ acres  of ground that we continue to ranch 130+ years later, is just a small portion of that original.  One of the most historical spots in the Bloomington Township is the Freedom Post Office that was located just a few hundred feet from the FlutterBye.  Though the building that was the post office ran by Frederick Franke has been gone for many years, the hand dug limestone lined well is still there along with many frequent finds of assorted bottles and shards of broken crocks.  Also still around is the letter from the Post Master General to Mr. Franke dated 1874, a hand written note from Mr. Franke as well as the grave stone of his wife Nancy(just about 3 miles up the road from the FlutterBye).