Historical Bluffton

  • /

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

This photo gem comes to The Icon from The Allen County Museum railroad photo collection. This photo was not taken in Bluffton, but it shows a Lake Erie and Western locomotive and crew in front of the yard offices in Rankin, Ill.

The photo was taken in 1909. The Lake Erie and Western (later Nickel Plate Road and now Norfork Southern) goes through Bluffton. No doubt locomotive 5520 passed through town often.

  • /

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

It was 100 years ago when this photo was taken. It shows the Bluffton third grade during the 1910-11 school year. Perhaps you have a relative in this photo.

Front row from left, Fairy (Berry) Musselman, Edmond Althaus, Howard Augsburger, Florence Johns, Beatrice (Steth) Conaway.

Second row from left, Helen Basinger, Geraldine Bigler, Harold Kemp, Mae McGeorge, Ruth Murray, Lester Hahn, Robert Swick, Bernice (Althaus) Carder, Frances Geiger, Opal Betzner, Carl Lewis.

  • /

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Sometimes you get lucky. Several of the old colorized post cards of Bluffton stated that they were printed by the Weixelbaum Brothers of Lima. You wonder where that business was once located. Wouldn't you know, that business is out of business, but the sign advertising the business can still be read at 50 yards on the side of its building. This sign is on the corner of East Market and Central Avenue in downtown Lima. Take a close look because its fading. Once upon a time many of the old Bluffton post cards were created there.

  • /

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

It doesn't seem that long ago. It was June, 1988. You are looking at the last Greyhound bus to stop in Bluffton. This bus, a Lima-bound Greyhound did not pick up any passengers in Bluffton on that final zip through town.

  • /

Click to enlarge

Yes, an idyllic scene from Bluffton, Ohio, in the 1800s. Can you place the location of this colorized post card photo? The bridge, known as the "arch" bridge once crossed Riley Creek where the Little and Big Rileys join. The one-lane bridge was removed in the late 1950s when the present structure, which may be built better, but lacks the architectural attractiveness, was installed.

  • /

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Bluffton's reputation for being a tennis town goes back to the late 1800s. This colorized picture post card proves it. The wording on the card reads "Tennis Courts, Bluffton, Ohio." The location of these courts was along East College Avenue where the Riley View Apartments are located today. (From the collection of Fred Steiner)

Pages