No, you aren't in Bluffton, anymore. This is Ada. The year is 1902 and the photograph shows the major building of what was called Ohio Normal University on South Main Street Ada. This photo is from a book of Ada photos titled "Ada and the O.N.U. - The New and the Old," published in 1902. The booklet is from the collection of Bob Barnett.
Ever wonder about how the interstate was constructed around Bluffton? Actually this photo might be pre-interstate. First there was the Dixie Highway from Lima through Beaverdam, through Bluffton (Main Street) and onto Findlay. It was two-lanes all the way.
In the early 1950s a bypass of Bluffton was created. That bypass eventually became part of the future Interstate 75, which came later in the 1950s.
Here's a photo near Bluffton of either the bypass or Interstate as the cement goes on the future highway.
Here's a plaque not often viewed. It's the builder's plaque of the Beaverdam District School, erected in 1934. Names listed include, board of education members:
W.C. Lacock, president
J.B. Leatherman, vice-president
M.S. Stewart
O.W. Huber
H.F. Clausing
S.M. Vertner, clerk
S.R. Salter, superintendent of instruction
Thos. D. McLaughlin & Associates, architecth
Clarence L. Knowlton, builder
Bluffton pioneer photographer, Will A. Triplett, had an interesting sense of humor. This photo is a photographer's "set up."
There are several items to check.
For example, the colt on the ground is playing dead, the boy in the chair holds the horse harness, but so does the dog - also sitting in a chair - behind the boy.
There are probably other set ups in this photo and unfortunately the joke is on us, because people of 2012 may not see what else is going on in the photo.
Trains are running on time on the Bluffton Western Terminal Railroad. Dr. B.W. Travis handles the Union Pacific City of San Francisco. The Travel O gauge model railroad was a Bluffton from the late 1940s to late 1970s.
Here's perhaps the most frightening Bluffton post card of all time. The identification line on the right reads: The burning oil tanks Bluffton Ohio (publishinged by Sidney Hauenstein).
Sorry to say, we know nothing about this fire. The message side of the card does not clearly show the postmarked year. The message has nothing to do with the fire. It reads: Have forwarded box of fresh prunes from Santa Rosa, Ca. for yourself from Gwendolyn Lenore and Mary (?).
