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The final steam through Bluffton

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 14, 2010 - 9:39am

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Here's a rare black and white photo of the last-ever steam locomotive to pass through Bluffton. It was in the mid-1980s.

The Lima-built NKP Berkshire locomotive was pulling a steam fan excersion train from Muncie, Ind., to Bellevue. The trackage through Bluffton since has been downgraded by Norfolk Southern. Steam locomotives are too heavy to risk travel on the local rails.

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When steam ruled the rails

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 7, 2010 - 4:22pm
NKP 703 pulls a fast freight through Bluffton toward Bellevue

When steam ruled - Click on photo to enlarge

Here's a poor quality, but important photo of Bluffton in the late 1940s or early 1950s. The scene is from Cherry Street looking south toward Railroad Street.

The Bluffton depot, which is now located at the Buckeye park, was alive with activity, servicing as a stop on the Nickel Plate Railroad. The depot served passengers and freight stops. The freight train heading north toward Bellevue is pulled by Lima-built Berkshire 703.

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Historical Bluffton
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50,000 pounds of wool wanted

Posted by Fred Steiner on January 31, 2010 - 9:35am
Bluffton's Russell Hotel

Click on photo to enlarge.

Here's an extremely rare glimpse of Main Street Bluffton prior to 1900. The photograph is a tintype measuring 6 1/2 by 9 inches. Of all the tintype photos taken of Bluffton, this is the largest we've ever seen.

The photograph shows the Russell Hotel. It was once located where the Citizens National Bank is today on the west side of Main Street. There are other photos of the hotel that can be seen in early Bluffton post cards of Main Street.

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Historical Bluffton
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Methodist Episcopal choir circa 1910

Posted by Fred Steiner on January 23, 2010 - 9:33am
Methodist Episcopal Church choir

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This photo is a real gem.

Here is the Bluffton Methodist Episcopal choir. Fortunately someone took the time to write the names of the members, so today, although most of the names are unfamiliar to us, we, at least know who they are. Beyond that there are several other things in the photo worth pointing out.

First the members: Standing from left, Oren (Soapy), Florence Bogart, (woman unidentified), Alice Lambert Lugibill and Effa Grindell.

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Historical Bluffton
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Ice storm of the century?

Posted by Fred Steiner on January 17, 2010 - 11:43am
Ice storm of the century?

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If there's such a thing as a "100-year flood," meaning a flood that only occurs every 100 years, then this photo must be the "100-year winter ice storm." Nothing is written on the back of the photo, but there are several things to point out to tell the story to viewers in 2010.

First, the photo was taken in Bluffton by an unknown photographer. The scene is South Main Street, looking south. The house on the left appears to be 321 S. Main, what is today The Lamplighter Bed and Breakfast, owned by Joan Bauman.

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Historical Bluffton
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Hilty school 1913-14

Posted by Fred Steiner on January 10, 2010 - 1:35pm

NOTE: Click on photo to enlarge.

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Historical Bluffton
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