You are here

Home » News

Historical Bluffton

It wasn't always paved

Posted by Fred Steiner on April 9, 2018 - 9:42am

We think you can identify this Bluffton location. Take a walk toward College Hall from Ropp Hall, after you cross the Riley. Then, there's a small footbridge over the  lagoon. That's this view from the 1934 Bluffton High School yearbook. The photo was in an advertisement for Bluffton College.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

91 theatre seasons ago

Posted by Fred Steiner on April 2, 2018 - 12:44pm

Here's the cast of a 1927 Bluffton High School class play "Merely Mary Ann." Names of the cast are under the photograph.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Dog and cart farm snapshot

Posted by Fred Steiner on March 26, 2018 - 11:12am

Here's an interesting Bluffton farm photo from the 1920s-early-1930s.

It's a farm boy riding a cart pulled by a dog, as the boy holds another dog on his lap.

The writing on the back of the snapshot reads: Levi Althaus's son, John, and his dogs, Tootsie and Puger (spelling?).

John is 3 in this photo - the same age as the dog, described as a "very fine" collie. (Collection of Fred Steiner)

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

A 1986 Bluffton parade MC

Posted by Fred Steiner on March 19, 2018 - 3:29pm

It was a sunny afternoon in July, 1986. Jim Ehrman, former Bluffton school superintendent, is the parade master of ceremonies during the Bluffton 125th anniversary celebration. He's on the review stand in front of the Presbyterian Church. (Dick Boehr photo)

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Bluffton's first school buses

Posted by Fred Steiner on March 12, 2018 - 10:58am

Did you ever wonder when Bluffton first provided school buses to rural students? The answer is here.

In the 1930-31 school year two vehicles were put in service. Later in the year another joined the fleet. Two additional buses were added in 1931-32. Here are the first five school buses taken during the 1933-34 school year.

Drivers standing beside their buses from left, Francis Basinger, Jerome Herr, Jesse Yoakam, Robert Amstutz, Chris Gratz and Richard Bixel (absent).

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Early Main Street bridge

Posted by Fred Steiner on March 5, 2018 - 10:27am

Here are two photos of a Main Street bridge over Riley Creek - earlier than the present bridge in that location. Both photos are in the book "The Bluffton We Never Knew."

Bluffton pioneer photographer Will Triplett took the two photos in 1895 at the opening of this bridge crossing the Riley on Main Street. A note written on the envelope holding the negative reads “Bridge on Indian Trail.” This confirms the story that Main Street was originally a trail created by Native Americans.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Pages