This was Bluffton prior to mid-1956. Paul Diller took this photo of Nickel Plate Road Berkshire Lima-building steam locomotive 718.
CHECK OUT THE WOODCOCK PLANT PHOTO AT BOTTOM OF STORY. -
Paul photographed this fast-moving freight as it crossed the railroad bridge at Marsh Run north of Bluffton. The smoke stack in the background is the Woodcock power plant - bellowing more black smoke that the loco.
The freight passed Bluffton northbound toward Findlay and eventually ended in Bellevue.
Here is the Ebenezer Mennonite Church in rural Bluffton. This photo is believed to be taken in 1883 following an addition that was made to the building. The original church building was constructed in 1869.
When this photo was taken there were only two Mennonite churches in the Bluffton-Pandora Swiss Settlement. The other was St. John Mennonite, four miles to the north.
By 1890 there were between 800 and 950 Swiss Mennonites living here. At that time the congregation worshiped together on alternative Sundays at St. John and then at Ebenezer.
If the cold temperatures have you down, this photo may warm you up. It's the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool, which is no longer in existence.
The pool was on the east side of the Buckeye. It is included a bath house, baby pool, larger pool going to 5 or 6 feet, and the Buckeye quarry for persons who could pass a swim test. The Buckeye had three diving boards.
Here's a very interesting photograph from the 1986 Bluffton 125th anniversary parade.
It's the Bluffton American Legion Post 382 honor guard. This is one of Bluffton's oldest continually operating units going back to the end of World War I.
We see Don Martz (far right) making certain the lines are straight. There's Jean Mueller, Bill Mericle, Gene Mericle and Robert Stratton. Icon views, please help with more IDs.
Yes, it is the Bluffton High School marching band.
And, how many uniforms ago is this?
The photo is of the band marching in the 1986 Bluffton quasquacentenial parade (125th year of Bluffton's founding). Phil Wilson was the director. We see some familiar faces and welcome viewers to make identifications to [email protected].
