Bluffton's Woodcock power plant
Click on photo to enlarge.
Here's a remarkable photo of a once-thriving business in Bluffton: The Woodcock power plant. For residents of Bluffton since 1983 or so, this plant was located on the site of John's Body Shop, Lake Street. This photo was taken in the early 1950s.
There are several things to notice. First, count the railroad coal cars on the AC&Y Railroad siding. The plant was fueled by coal and that may be a one or two-day's worth of fuel sitting there.
Notice how clean (absence of trees and brush) are the banks of the National Quarry.
Notice a side track (passing track) on the Nickel Plate Road on the bottom of the photo. That track is no longer there.
Notice the number of houses on North Main Street. Compare that number with today's houses.
There's more and you may examine the photo for yourself. (Collection of Fred Steiner)
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, July 22
- High wire artists, water tower canvas
- ONU law college joins in rural legal help initiative
- Introducing Work In Progress Wednesday: Clubhouse creativity
- Pets of BlufftonU among pages of university flip book
- Bluffton Campus Life shares update on pool parties
- Trevor and Harley Bassitt are expecting
- Trinity Evangelical hosts Vacation Bible School