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Way before 45817 an even an idea

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 19, 2012 - 5:27pm

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This photo of a Bluffton elementary class tour of the Bluffton Post Office was taken when first-class stamps were 3 cents. Ralph Stearns shows students the workings of the post office in these two photos, probably taken by Leland Gerber.

Can Icon views identify any of the students in these photos?

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Historical Bluffton
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Swimming in the Buckeye in the 1920s

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 14, 2012 - 4:41pm

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Here's a classic Bluffton swimming pool photo. Originally a 2 1/2 by 4 inch snapshot, we've enlarged and enhanced for Icon viewers to study closer. The period is the early 1920s.

This is north side of the Buckeye, just to the west of today's shelter house. The man on the pier is probably Steiner Geiger, who was the life guard and swimming teacher. The bath house is behind him. Notice the diving boarrds and the rope that crosses the quarry. The rope divided the "shallow" end from the "deep" end.

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Historical Bluffton
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The catch of the day - in circa 1921

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 10, 2012 - 12:58pm

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If you are an older Bluffton Baby Boomer this fisherman probably checked your eyes at some point in your life.

This is a photo of Dr. Gordon Bixel, O.D., with what appears to be his cath of the day - a northern pike? No this was not the tagged fish of the 1921 trout derby. But it's possible that the photo was taken around 1921.

If you've had your eyes checked by Dr. Bixel, you may comment on this photo. Dr. Alan Yoder assumed Dr. Bixel's practice on Main Street upon Dr. Bixel's retirement.

(From Fred Steiner's collection)

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Historical Bluffton
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Gold Spike Limited - 1969

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 6, 2012 - 6:01am

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In 1969 the United States celebrated the centennial of the Golden Spike ceremony - which linked the Pacific and Atlantic coast with railroad service.

Nickel Plate Road 759, a Berkshire steam locomotive, built in Lima, attended the Gold Spike ceremony in Utah. Here is that locomotive, newly painted as the Golden Spike Limited, as it passed through Bluffton with rail fans aboard.

It was the first steam locomotive to pass through Bluffton since steam on the NKP ended in 1958.

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Historical Bluffton
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Did you attend this Bluffton homecoming in the 1950s?

Posted by Fred Steiner on January 30, 2012 - 5:00pm

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The location: Harmon Field. The event: Bluffton College homecoming. The year: 1956 or 1957. Barbara Diller Garriott (center), a Bluffton High School grad, now of San Diego Calif., was homecoming queen. Her father, Paul Diller, took this color slide photo. Can Icon viewers name the two attendants?

Check the photo below for a graduation photo of Barbara, also taken by her father.

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Historical Bluffton
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Another Ex-Cell-O dinner photo

Posted by Fred Steiner on January 25, 2012 - 2:08pm

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Here's another photo from the 1955-56 Bluffton Business Men's Association dinner and program that welcomed Ex-Cell-O to town. We see Gerald "Tuffy" Swank on the far left, facing the camera. Paul Basinger is looking up at the speaker. Is that Mayor David Risser on the far end of the table.

We encourage Icon viewers to provide more identifications in this photo. The dinner was on the second floor of the town hall. Neu-Art Photo.

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Historical Bluffton
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