Why is there a railroad depot on North Main Street, but no railroad tracks?
The answer is because the depot, now home of Board and Brush, was originally constructed as a freight and passenger depot for a now-abandoned railroad.
Organized in 1881, it arrived in Bluffton as the Cleveland, Delphos and St. Louis Railroad. Then, in 1884 it became the Pittsburgh, Akron and Western Railroad. Due to more railroad mergers, in 1895, it became the Northern Ohio Railway. Later the Northern Ohio became the Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad, or the AC&Y.
Review by Robert McCool
Welcome to the White City - Chicago in 1890-1893.
It's been a while since I've written a review, as my wife had an emergency back surgery and an extended stay in the hospital that has kept me busy doing other things than writing.
But even as immediate as my time has been recently this book has been on my mind quite a bit. Once again, it comes recommended by a member of the Ada book club, and is justified as a good read.
Why are the words “Commercial Bank’ in capital letters above the John Wagner Nationwide Agency at 105 N. Main St.?
Here’s the answer: The Commercial Bank was Bluffton’s first bank. It was founded in 1887 as a private bank by Frank Scott, N.W. Cunningham purchased one-half interest in it in 1893.
Scott and Cunningham were the sole owners until June 3, 1902, when it was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio and became a state bank.
Why is the Bluffton football field called Harmon Field?
The answer is nearly 100 years old.
The Harmon Field we know today was originally intended to be a playground in the early 1920s. And, it soon grew from a playground to include a football field and much more.
It was one of a number of such parks in Ohio established by William E. Harmon, New York philanthropist, who was a native of Lebanon, Ohio.
Review by Wilson
If you’ve been paying attention to worldwide theater re-openings, you know there is one movie whose release date seems to be tumbling perilously into the future, Christopher Nolan’s newest film TENET.
Nolan (INCEPTION, THE DARK KNIGHT) is known for his ability to turn seemingly-complex plots into high-caliber entertainment. In anticipation of his newest film, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit my favorite film of his: MEMENTO.
Did you ever wonder how Bentley Road was named? Here’s the answer. It was named after land owner, Thomas Bentley, who owned 160 acres south of Bluffton, bordering the road now bearing his name.
His property fronted what is today on the west side of Bentley Road bordering Shifferly and Hillville Road.
The map used with this story shows that Bentley Road on the north side of Bluffton’s Main Street never connected to Bentley Road on the south side of Bluffton. However, at some point both roads took on the Bentley name.
