That's a real steam locomotive on Main Street

You could easily say that you've seen everything, after viewing a steam locomotive on Main Street Bluffton.

This photo is part of "The Bluffton We Never Knew," available in December by the Bluffton Icon. Here's the story behind this photo:

In 1905 the Western Ohio Railroad, an electric interurban, had its track laid on Main Street. Before the electric wires were installed the company used steam locomotives to carry rail and ties.

That dates this photo to 1905 (the first official trolley passed through Bluffton in Janaury 1906). The storefronts help identify the location of this photo as you can see familiar second floors on the east side of the street.

Interested in a copy of the book? Click here for an order form.