Bolivar is named after a city in Tennessee, where two of the original founders' grandfathers lived. However, the name at the time carried implied meanings about freedom and liberation. The Tennessee city's name comes from a Latin American leader called SimÌ_n BolÌ_var. BolÌ_var helped to free Latin America from Spanish rule, and fought to liberate Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
Bolivar has a population of 10,325
Bolivar is named after a city in Tennessee, where two of the original founders' grandfathers lived. However, the name at the time carried implied meanings about freedom and liberation. The Tennessee city's name comes from a Latin American leader called SimÌ_n BolÌ_var. BolÌ_var helped to free Latin America from Spanish rule, and fought to liberate Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
Bolivar has a population of 10,325. Formally designated a city in 1835, it has been the county seat for Polk County ever since and spans around eight miles. The largest nearby city is Springfield, around a half-hour away by car. It is close to Stockton Lake and Stockton State Park and incorporates Pocomo Lake, Hominy Creek, and Horse Creek within its boundaries among other significant bodies of water.
Places to Live
If you are looking for rental properties in Bolivar, you will find plenty of housing for rent and a smaller number of apartments. Sixty percent of houses in the area are leased and there are plenty of two or three bedroom houses for rent. Rates are good wherever you are in the city, so shop around a little until you find a neighborhood that suits you. It is more difficult to find apartments on a month-to-month basis, mainly because there aren't many of these buildings in town, and no clearly defined complexes. However, when you do find one, the chances are it will be a rental. They are sprinkled all over the area, so be prepared to do some searching if you are hoping to find a condo or studio.
Bolivar offers great value for money if you want to buy a place. Some neighborhoods are a little more expensive than others, but the differences aren't too drastic. The city is relatively small, and there isn't much variety from one side of town to the other when it comes to cost. As mentioned above, finding an apartment could be tricky (especially if you are hoping to buy one), but finding a house will be much easier. If necessary, it's a good idea to rent a house and get a feel for the area and what's on the market before committing to a purchase. Commuters in particular may find they have a preference for areas near the center of town, or routes out of the city.
Bolivar isn't a particularly big place, but there are a few defined neighborhoods. Each has its merits depending on what you are looking for in a place to live. There are no specific apartment communities to consider, but there are apartment buildings in every neighborhood.
City Center: While this area is home to plenty of shops and amenities, it is also pleasantly quiet. This is a car-friendly neighborhood which offers an easy commute to work for most, as it is right on East Broadway Street (Route 32).
Humansville/Fair Play: This area is named for its close proximity to Route 13, which leads directly to neighboring Humansville. Surroundings are quite rural, but it is still only a few minutes from the city center by car.
Morrisville: Located in the southwest part of the city, Morrisville is quiet, with around ten percent of residents attending nearby Southwest Baptist University. The area is close to Route 83 and Route 13, with a lot of convenient amenities and cultural facilities nearby.
Bolivar is a very car-friendly city in close proximity to Routes 13 and 32. However, there is also public transport available at reasonable prices. Jefferson Lines runs buses throughout Bolivar and Humansville that will take you all around the state. If you would like to go a little further, or even rent a vehicle for a group trip, the Trailways bus company also services the area. The nearest airport is the Springfield-Branson National Airport, less than an hour away. You may not want to leave Bolivar, but commuting and vacations are easy to arrange when you live here.
In terms of entertainment, Bolivar is home to the B and B Theater, a family cinema business that has nonetheless kept up with the times in terms of 3-D and great movies. If live performance is more your thing, the Davis-Newport Theater (part of the Southwest Baptist University campus) is home to regular public performances. There are also great gyms dotted around the city, several bookstores, and a wonderful golf course that plays host to Bolivar's Annual Golf Tournament every April.
Is shopping your idea of great entertainment? If so, then you will love it here. The city is full of small business and hidden gems that you can explore for hours. Spend a lazy Saturday wandering around the Downtown Flea Market or the Super Flea Market to look for bargains, or pick up some handcrafted wonders at the town's numerous craft and hobby stores. Lovers of quilting, woodcraft, and antiquing will be stunned at the buried treasures in this town.
Does shopping make you hungry? Bolivar boasts some great restaurants, including El Rodeo Mexican for spicy treats and the friendly Boone's Barbeque Barn. Fans of Italian food can enjoy a feast at Kathy's Pasta, and if you like simple home-cooked dishes there is a wide range of small cafes and restaurants to satisfy any and all tastes.
Nature lovers in Bolivar will enjoy the great selection of parks, which are home to several local sports teams. These include: Keeling Park, small but full of character, Neuhart Park, home of the Plaza of the Americas and a statue of SimÌ_n BolÌ_var, and John Playter Memorial Park with its lovely walking trails and veteran's memorial. You can even enjoy annual outdoor concerts during summer, such as Music in the Park every June in Bolivar Children's Park. If you aren't a park person, there are still some great community celebrations in town. Cruise-Ins on the Bolivar Square is a perfect opportunity for fans of classic cars to get together and lift some hoods, and it is held every month during warm weather.
Whether you are a fan of culture, sport or fine dining, this city will pique your interest. Come and explore everything Bolivar has to offer.
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Bolivar is named after a city in Tennessee, where two of the original founders' grandfathers lived. However, the name at the time carried implied meanings about freedom and liberation. The Tennessee city's name comes from a Latin American leader called SimÌ_n BolÌ_var. BolÌ_var helped to free Latin America from Spanish rule, and fought to liberate Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
Bolivar has a population of 10,325
View Bolivar City Guide