You are here

Historical Bluffton

Diller School was a rarity with two rooms

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

NOTE: Viewers will discover The Icon is now enlarging its old photos to a high-quality view.

The Diller country school, rural Richland Township, was a unique structure because was a two-room school house. The building stands today and has been transformed into the Goldsberry residence at 7370 Grismore Road. This photo is from a photo post card mailed in 1908.

Main Street probably prior to 1919

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Here's another colorized post card of Bluffton's Main Street looking north. It would appear that the photo was taken from a hot air balloon, based on the angle. Actually, it was probably taken on a ladder from the roof of the Russell Hotel (if it was taken prior to 1919).

Obviously the automobiles date this photo, as does the interurban rails running on the center of the street. Not much else has changed except one thing: the steeple of the Presbyterian Church is no longer in existence.

A derailment on the AC&Y

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

A second view of Science Hall

Here's a second view of Science Hall in a colorized post card. The photo is taken from what is now University Drive. The two pillars were erected by the class of 1906. The pillar on the was gone many years ago. The pillar on the left stood until University Drive was curb.

These steps no longer exist

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Once upon a time, this was the entrance to Science Hall at Bluffton College. Although it wasn't very handicapped accessible, it was constructed on a grand scale.

Today Centennial Hall sits where the steps once led students and faculty to class.

At this time this photo was taken (it is a postcard), three sets of doors opened to the steps. Those have since been closed in a remodeling of the building.

Main Street Bluffton in the summer of 1959

Main Street Bluffton 1960

Click on photo to enlarge

Main Street Bluffton in the summer of 1959 looked like this. On the west side of Main Street to Church Street is C.F. Niswander and Son farm implements, Urich's IGA, the Charles Co., Crow's 5 and 10, and Citizens National Bank.

On the east side is the Carma Theater, The Horseshoe Grill and Niswander's Newstand.

Pages