August 9 Bluffton History Day is all about railroads

By Paula Pyzik Scott

On Saturday, August 9 the Bluffton Historical Society (BOHS) will recall the days when the Bluffton Sportsmen's Club building at Buckeye Park was a depot for the Lake Erie and Western Railroad (at a former location). The event will take place from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at 405 N Spring St.

There will be displays of train artifacts and model trains, presentations and videos, activities for children, entertainment, food and two contests: the Reframing Bluffton History art contest and an "All Aboard!" calling contest (details below).

Pre-sale BBQ chicken dinner tickets are available from Bluffton Ohio Historical Society members.

Bluffton's other depot houses Board & Brush at 562 N. Main St, where a Walk-In Make & Take event will be held from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. This building was constructed in 1930 and served the Akron, Canton, Youngstown Railroad. Romick Railway will provide a shuttle between the two depots.

This is the third Bluffton History Day celebration. In 2023 Fred Steiner provided a program on the 90th anniversary of the Dillinger gang robbery of Bluffton's Citizens Nationa Bank; in 2024 the newly established Bluffton Historical Society celebrated the Bluffton Fire Department, which reenacted the first test of fire hoses using a Village water system in 1898.

The depot at Buckeye Park is of a similar vintage. Built in 1899, it was moved to the park in 1982 and renovated by members of the sportsmen's club. In 2025 the club handed over the building to BOHS, which now uses it for meetings and manages rentals (information HERE).

10:00 a.m. - Welcome and National Anthem followed by a dedication prayer, brief history of the Depot and BOHS, One Voice a capella singing under the direction of Kevin Gratz.

12:00 p.m. - “All Aboard!” calling contest at the 1899 Depot flag pole

12:30 p.m. - Reframing Bluffton History art contest awards

ACTIVITIES

Romick Railway shuttle between Board & Brush and the 1899 depot at Buckeye ParkRailroad spike driving with Keith SommerRailroad service car display with Wendell StahlerChildren’s activities and crafts at the 1899 Depot and Board & Brush Depot- Making a train whistles, free face painting with Folly Faces

DISPLAYS

- Reframing Bluffton History entries - Dr. Travis train display with Fred Rodabaugh - Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society NKP 765 team will discuss train excursions - Train videos with Wayne York- Bluffton Village 3D Model - Railroad related items display with Keith Sommer - Model train display, including Nickel Plate 765 with Neil Winget

FOOD Bubba C’s BBQ Chicken Dinners  (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) at 1899 Depot Twisted Whisk Cafe food truck at Board & Brush

CORPORATE SPONSORS Bluffton Icon Bluffton Public Library Citizen’s National Bank First National Bank Gulfcoast Accounting & Tax Services/Bill Gable RSE Rentals Shannon Theater