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38 winters ago, snowplows lead Bluffton school buses on routes

From BlufftonForever.com
Posted by Staff on March 27, 2022 - 5:24am

Blogging at www.BlufftonForever.com, Fred Steiner reminds us that March weather is unpredictable. In this post, he takes us back to a snowy school day in the early 1980s.

By Fred Steiner

Thursday, March 8, 1984, was not a typical school day for students in the Bluffton school system. Students on that day experienced something never before or since has taken place.

Students arrived safely at school in the morning, but the morning’s snow storm made it a risk to take students home.

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Historical Bluffton
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What’s that mound on Thurman Street?

Bluffton mysterious place series
Posted by Staff on March 20, 2022 - 7:00am

By Fred Steiner, www.blufftonforever.com

This is a continuation of the www.blufftonforever.com series featuring Bluffton’s 10 most mysterious locations.

What is the oldest existing structure in the village of Bluffton? Where is it and what was its use?

The answer: The remains of a lime kiln and ashery used in making lime and soap. You will find it on the Riley Creek bank at the bend of Thurman Street, across from the EMS building.

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Historical Bluffton
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The American House, another Bluffton mysterious place

Part 3 in BlufftonForever.com series
Posted by Staff on March 13, 2022 - 7:28am

By Fred Steiner

Blufftonforever.com has identified 10 of the most mysterious places in Bluffton, and this is installment three in that series.

When Bluffton’s early business district developed, its hub centered around the Main and Washington streets intersection.  

This may surprise many residents today.

Several buildings with multiple businesses existed there at one time. Some, but not all of those buildings remain today. Most prominent is the Et Cetera Shop at 327 N. Main., the Slaw Cutter and the red brick building across from Et Cetera.

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Historical Bluffton
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Bluffton Forever: Dr. Robert Drake Murray

Soldier and physician, yellow fever control specialist
Posted by Staff on March 6, 2022 - 7:58am

By Fred Steiner

A yellow fever specialist and expert, Dr. Robert Drake Murray, of international renown, was a son of Bluffton. 

During his career, he was looked upon as a leader in combating yellow fever and was sent by the U.S. government to take charge of places where yellow fever became epidemic.

Born in Ohlton, Ohio, in 1845, his parents Joseph A. and Nancy Drake Murray moved to Bluffton in 1855 when it was still called Shannon.

His father, Joseph, served in the Mexican War (some time during 1846 - 1848).

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Historical Bluffton
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Samuel S. Yoder, Civil Water veteran and congressman

Famous from Bluffton series premier
Posted by Staff on February 27, 2022 - 6:44am

By Fred Steiner

This is the first in a series of “Famous from Bluffton” features from www.blufftonforever.com. 

Samuel S. Yoder’s name does not register in the minds of many, if any, Bluffton residents today.

However, this one-time Bluffton mayor, former business owner and Civil War veteran, once served Ohio’s 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

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Historical Bluffton
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BlufftonForever.com adds 10 history links

Seeks Swiss genealogical information
Posted by Staff on February 23, 2022 - 7:54am

This week Fred Steiner's local history-focused website www.blufftonforever.com added links to 10 area history-related websites for viewer access. The addition was due to the interest in history from followers of the website. 

History-related links now include:

• Bluffton Public Library

• Swiss Community Historical Society

• Bluffton University Mennonite Historical Archives

• Allen County Historical Society

• Hancock County Historical Society

• Hardin County Historical Museum

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Historical Bluffton
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