FROM WWW.BLUFFTONICON.COM

By Scott Little
Bluffton Ohio Historical Society Secretary

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society (BOHS) held it’s very first–and very informal–meeting on December 7, 2022. Now approaching the society’s third anniversary, there have been many accomplishments. A name was selected, bylaws were drafted, edited and accepted.  Officers have been elected and the society has received nonprofit status.  

In August of 2024, the second Bluffton History Day was held and a scene was recreated from 1898, when firefighters tested Bluffton’s first water system.

When lifelong resident Fred Steiner moved away from Bluffton, he gifted his website, www.BlufftonForever.com to BOHS. The website’s goal and BOHS’s goal has always been to preserve Bluffton history. This gift was generous and one that the Society will develop and support indefinitely.

In early 2025, the Village of Bluffton turned over management of the 1899 Depot in Buckeye Park to the historical society. Since the Depot was moved to this location in 1986, it had been managed by the Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club. Additional tenants of the Depot include the Bluffton American Legion Post 382 and the Bluffton Boy Scouts.  

The building continues to be a rental facility for small to medium gatherings, such as family parties and reunions, business meetings, retirement parties, etc.

READ MORE at Letter: Bluffton historical society celebrates 3rd anniversary