By Monty Siekerman
Oil and trains accounted for rapid growth in the late 1800s and early 1900s in Ada and Bluffton, according to Fred Steiner, who spoke at the Ada Historical Society meeting on Monday night at the Ada Public Library.
He said oil discovered in Findlay brought people to the area in droves, explaining that the red brick houses you see on SR 103 from Bluffton to Arlington are the result of wealth from oil wells.
Steiner noted that trains played a major part in people settling here, as well. Ada could send wooden barrels and other manufactured goods throughout the country. University students arrived at the college by train rather than enduring long commutes by carriage over dirt roads.
He noted that Bluffton and Ada had very similar beginnings and both communities sprung to life about the same time due to the same forces.
And, both downtowns were built about the same time. One sees 1880-1910 on the keystones of many buildings gracing Main Street in Ada and Bluffton.
Steiner donated several photographs to the Ada Historical Society that picture his grandfather and family who lived in Ada in the 1880 and '90s.
The founder and owner of the Ada Icon and Bluffton Icon, Steiner learned a lot about the history of Bluffton while researching his newly-published book, “The Bluffton We Never New.” The book, released this year, includes nearly 170 photos of Bluffton from 1861 to 1911, representing the first half-century of the village.
Steiner, who worked for the Bluffton weekly for many years, also learned much about the town’s roots while reporting about the community. When he learned that many quality photos had been taken of Bluffton early-on, it was only natural for him to put them together in a book.
Copies of "The Bluffton We Never Knew" are available in several Bluffton businesses and from the author. Books are $21.30 (tax included in that price).
A book order form is attached.
