Main Street cira 1906
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Here is a beautiful photo of Bluffton's Main Street sometime after 1906. We know that because the Western Ohio Railway tracks are in the center of Main Street.
There are several things to examine closely in this photo, which we would guess was taken by Will Triplett. The original photo measures 8 by 6 inches and was probably a contact print from the negative.
Now, look far to the south on Main. There stands an interurban car headed northbound (see the cowcatcher). A cart stand ready to load or unload freight. At least one automobile is on the west side of Main. The wording "Hotel" means Russell Hotel. That block burned to the ground in 1919. Citizens National Bank stands there today.
At 101 N. Main check out the barber pole at street level and on the second floor. Inside the Bluffton News building today you can see part of the barber pole paint still on the brick.
Coming toward us you'll see a bicycle leaning against the pole where two men are standing A third man is in the doorway. Our guess is that they were told to pose and stand still, or they would have been blurred for the several-second camera exposure.
As you look at the sidewalk you'll notice something that doesn't seem quite right. There are steps leading up to all the store fronts. Those steps aren't there today. That's because the street was eventually raised as it was brick and paved. The side walks that eventually replaced those in 1906 rose with the street.
Next note the wording on the canopy. It reads "The Economy" as in the Economy Store. The next canopy reads: The Bixel Jewery Music Company. Above the canopy reads: Jewelry and Pianos.
Look closely at the corner of the jewelry story. See the post? It exists today at the entrance of The Sports Warehouse. The sign in the alley reads: Motor Gasoline Sold Here.
(From the collection of Fred Steiner)
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Ticket and livestream info for Bluffton Pirates v. Patrick Henry football
- Service of thanks at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
- Pirate girls basketball beats Hornets in McDonald’s opener
- 100+ voices in Bluffton's Handel's Messiah chorus
- Pirate Worcester named top district defender
- BVHS receives Level 7 achievement in ‘Most Wired’ survey
Thursday, November 21, 2024
- McDonald’s Holiday Tournament, Thursday, November 21
- 2024 Fall Festival in pictures: At the Schumacher Homestead
- Fairy I. Parkins was postmaster of Benton Ridge
- Council committee and residents discuss ADUs, best and worst case scenarios
- BPL hosts Open Crafts and Game Space, November 26
- Women in Business meet November 21
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Nov. 13-19
- ODOT prepping for first snow of the season
- Mason named OBL 2024 Banker of the Year
- October 2024 land transfers in Bluffton school district
- November chamber meeting explores member news, Blaze plans and flag etiquette
- Bluffton EMS by the numbers: October 2024
- Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions
- Icon search function goes from 0 to 30
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Tickets and streaming information for Nov. 22 Pirate football playoff game
- Spirit Bus for November 22 football playoff in Findlay
- Tea Bag Exchange & Tasting at BPL, November 21
- Letter: University students learn about Fair Trade
- Join volunteer crew for 2024 Ream Display-Blaze of Lights setup
- Village of Bluffton asks for updated utility billing contact information
Monday, November 18, 2024
- Dorothy P. Moser operated Moser Electric
- Multi-agency active shooter drill to be held at Apollo
- Adopt-a-Family for Christmas via Bluffton Food Pantry
- Pirate football to play Hamler Patrick Henry at Findlay
- The "Brice" Presbyterian Church cornerstone
- Pirate football to face Patrick Henry in region finals