The Swiss Community Historical Society has repurposed this Christmas card originally sent by George Bixel as the invitation to the 2021 Christmas Open House at the Schumacher Homestead.
2021 Veterans Day reminders of its origin marking the hour when fighting stopped in the Great War/World War I--11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month--had the Icon searching for photos from 1918.
These photos from Bluffton University's online Memory Collection show Bluffton University students with the day's headlines and marching with an American flag.
A Facebook viewer recently asked the Swiss Community Historical Society (SwissHistorical.org) for information on Bluffton's original Cherry Street Bridge.
Another viewer responded with these dates: The original bridge was built c. 1890 by the Canton Bridge Co.; rehabilitated in 1982; and replaced in 2004.
More details and more bridges can be viewed at Bridgehunter.com.
Family recipes give special meaning to the phrase “living history.” The following Dilly Bread recipe comes from Kaye Phillips of the Swiss Community Historical Society (SwissHistorical.org). While a similar recipe was made famous in 1960 as a winning Pillsbury Bake-Off entry, this version of a yeasted, cottage cheese-based bread has distinctly local roots. Kaye explains:
Baking Dilly Bread can give your home the aroma of years gone by. The flavor and versatility makes this recipe a favorite in our family.
Author, local historian and former Bluffton Icon owner Fred Steiner will give a free presentation on Bluffton’s electric trolleys at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15.
According to director Tonya Meyer, the talk is titled “115 years ahead of its time, or what are those rails doing under Main Street?” The presentation will include over 75 Bluffton-related images including photos, maps and timetables.
The Ohio History Connection recently featured the digitization of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps for the Open Access Kent State collection and invited viewers to look for their town's map.
