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63 years later - here's a bird's-eye view of neighboring Ada

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 15, 2016 - 3:56pm

We asked the Icon photographer for a bird's-eye view of Bluffton and he apparently flew over the wrong community.

Here's how neighboring Ada appeared from a bird's-eye view 63 years ago. The photo was published in Ada's 1953 centennial booklet.

There are 15 buildings identified in the legend at the bottom of the photo.

 

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Historical Bluffton
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These Bluffton third graders were born during World War II

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 8, 2016 - 1:21pm

Bluffton High School's graduating class of 1961 pose with Miss Hilty as third graders in the 1951-52 school year.

This photo is from the Icon's collection, but we don't have names of students. We are hopeful that someone from the class will provide row by row names. Please send your list to: [email protected]. We will post it with this photo.

The class held its 55th reunion in the summer of 2016. We've posted that photo below.

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Historical Bluffton
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Here's a Bluffton bridge you never crossed

Posted by Fred Steiner on July 29, 2016 - 5:07pm

That's right. You've never crossed this bridge.

At one time it crossed Riley Creek and based upon the era of this photo, the bridge was a fixture in the early 1900s. The photo is from a collection of Bluffton photos taken by pioneer photograher Will Triplett.

This photo might be near Foxes Hill south of Bluffton. Notice that someone is on bridge. Also notice the picket fence on the "bluff" if you can call it a bluff.

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Historical Bluffton
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First Mennonite confirmation class

Posted by Fred Steiner on July 19, 2016 - 10:29am

Here’s a First Mennonite Church confirmation class photo from the mid-1960s.

Front from left, Dan Lehman, Linda Reichenbach, Lu Shetler, Cynthia Weaver, Don Paterson.

Second row from left, Larry Mast, Sandra Dillman, Margo Reichenbach, Karyl Gratz, Phillip Pannabecker.

Third row from left, Dennis Gable, Susan Lehman, Coletta Lora, Dave Burkholder.

Fourth row from left, Richard Herr, Lee Cookson, Jack Kibele.

Top:  Rev. Jacob Friesen.

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Historical Bluffton
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1950s-era Bluffton merchant basketball squad

Posted by Fred Steiner on July 6, 2016 - 12:10pm

You'll recognize several athletes in this team photo. It's a Bluffton merchant's team that could have been sponsored by Triplett or Bluffton Stone Quarry taken in the mid-1950s.

Standing from left, Harry Klay, Keith Kirtland, Romanus Zuercher, Ken Moser and Lynn Schfkee.

Front from left, Don Oates, Don Schmidt, Morris Groman, Art Hilty and Dick Rocky.

Thes players were Bluffton High School graduates between the years 1944 and 1951. The photo was taken in the old BHS gym, where the team played.

(Don Schmidt photo collection)

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Historical Bluffton
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Does anyone recognize this Bluffton structure?

Posted by Fred Steiner on June 29, 2016 - 12:55pm

First, some hints. It's doubtful that anyone under 55 can identify this building. That means it was razed sometime in the 1960s.

With a smokestack like this, it must have produced lots of power for several buildings.

Too bad there aren't other clues in the photo, except for what appears to be a 1950 or '51 Chevolet parked near the building.

Here's what we have: the Bluffton College power plant. It was located on the Riley floodplain facing College Avenue. Founders Hall would be on the left and up the hill.

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Historical Bluffton
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