Several photos accompany this story -
By Fred Steiner
This is part of the Icon’s new series on “Forgotten Bluffton” – Swimming in Riley Creek is no doubt something that never interested you.

But, in the 1920’s the village had a designated swimming area constructed in Big Riley Creek for youth in the community.

If you stand near the entrance to Steinmetz Field, turn toward Harmon Field, and take about a dozen steps toward the creek you will see the remnants of a dam. That dam backed up the creek and made a nice sized pool for swimming

Bob Schaublin, a BHS grad and Bluffton College graduate, told me that he was once a life guard at the pool.

The photos with this story reveal a 1940s-era photo of the still functioning dam. Sitting on it are a group of Triplett employees taking a work break.

Today the dam is, well, not a dam anymore. However on the Harmon Field side of the stream is the remains of a very well constructed limestone wall. The wall on the Steinmetz Field side lost its battle with nature years ago. 

I suggest taking a walk to this early swimming hole and imagine Bluffton one century ago. It was probably a pretty interesting place. Not now it’s’ forgotten Bluffton.