That's a real steam locomotive on Main Street
You could easily say that you've seen everything, after viewing a steam locomotive on Main Street Bluffton.
This photo is part of "The Bluffton We Never Knew," available in December by the Bluffton Icon. Here's the story behind this photo:
In 1905 the Western Ohio Railroad, an electric interurban, had its track laid on Main Street. Before the electric wires were installed the company used steam locomotives to carry rail and ties.
That dates this photo to 1905 (the first official trolley passed through Bluffton in Janaury 1906). The storefronts help identify the location of this photo as you can see familiar second floors on the east side of the street.
Interested in a copy of the book? Click here for an order form.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Friday, October 30, 2026
- Main St. runway for Trick or Treaters
- October 30 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- What Kind of Paradise author joins book club by Zoom, Nov. 4
- Check out November 2026 events at Bluffton Public Library
- Scarecrow voting ends at midnight, Oct. 31
- Annual meeting and dinner for Senior Center members, November 9
- November 2026 Community Meals at the Senior Center
- Pirate girls soccer edged in shootout by Big Green in district final
Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 29
- Bluffton chamber welcomes six new members in October 2026
- Scam talk with Chief Ryan Burkholder
- Apollo Career Center honored as Gold Star Institution
- Peanut brittle time at the Senior Center begins Nov. 9
- Bluffton University Forum explores faith, hope and care for creation
- Business Collective networking night, Nov. 5
- Radio play staging of It's a Wonderful Life on Nov. 29
- Test-to-Treat not Trick-or-Treat
- If only we could put these fall days on pause