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Here's the confirmation class at St. John's E & R Church (United Church of Christ) in 1956.

From from left, Cathy Basinger and James Swank.

Second row from left, Linda Mericle, Ruth Badertscher, Shirley Frantz, Sandra Diller, Nancy Geiger and Nancy Montgomery.

Top from left, James Jordan, Steve Herr, Lee Badertscher, Rev. Vernon C. Oppermann, Don Deerhake, Keith Baker and Ronald Zimmerly.

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Once upon a time in Bluffton, if swimming was the plan, this was the scene.

The photo, enlarged from a snapshot taken in the early 1920s shows the Buckeye from the south bank looking north.

The building in the photo is very near the location of today's shelter house.

The "pool" had a slide and diving board platform (on the right), and a dressing area. Missing from the scene is a float (raft) with two barrels underneath.

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MAKE CERTAIN YOU SCROLL DOWN TO THE FOURTH PHOTO - YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE

The Icon has posted these photo previously, but it's summer and let's go back to the Buckeye.

Here's three color views of Buckeye quarry, where swimming was once a Bluffton summer experience. Paul Diller snapped these photos.

The pool was on the east side of the Buckeye. It is included a bath house, baby pool, larger pool going to 6 feet, and the Buckeye quarry for persons who could pass a swim test. The Buckeye had three diving boards.

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Here's the 1941 Bluffton College tennis team.

Back row from left, H.W. Berky (coach), Bob Simcox, Dale Reichenbach, Dale Good and Jason Tripplehorn.

Front from left, Harold Balmer, Jack Kahler, Darvin Luginbuhl, Ray Ramseyer and Paul Martin.

This photo was taken on the clay tennis courts along Spring Street. Ropp Hall is in the background,

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Here's the Bluffton High School boys' track team dring the 1973 school year.

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If you can find Stratton's Recreation Hall you might be able to bowl a game or two. This advertisement from the 1942 Bluffton College Ista says you can "tally in our alley."

Here's how to find the recreation hall. Look for the steps leading to a basement next to the Shannon Theatre on Main Street. Today it is the office for the United Auto Works (UAW) union, involving employees at Tower Automotive.

 

 

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