Miamisburg opened a time capsule from 1968 to celebrate its bicentennial. Here’s what was inside.

A report card from Sinclair Community College, an annual report for the Huffman bicycle company and a Bible with a bit of history were among the items discovered in a time capsule opened in Miamisburg on Saturday.

“Fifty years ago this time capsule was buried in Veterans Park with memorabilia from 1968,” the emcee announced to the crowd gathered at the beginning of the city’s weeklong bicentennial celebration.

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The white container, with “Miamisburg Area Sesquicentennial 1818 - 1968” on the side, was unsealed and broadcast live on the city’s Facebook page.

Many who watched the ceremony remembered the stores, barber shops and other establishments represented in the container that have long closed, such Mobley Cafe, Arcade Cafe and the Riviera Lounge.

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A letter to the mayor at the time from then-President Lyndon B. Johnson was included in the container.

An annual report for the Huffman Manufacturing Company states the company made more than $42 million in sales in 1967, netting $1.5 million.

Old newspapers provided a somber reminder of the Vietnam War. At the top of a Miamisburg News broadsheet was a report on the death of Cpl. William Ebright, who was killed in action.

A man told the crowd about the Bible that was pulled out of the time capsule. He said he was there when his mother placed the Bible in the container.

The Bible had been given to Mark Dennis before he was deployed to Vietnam, the man said.Dennis was also killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the helicopter he was riding in, and though his remains were never found the Bible was returned to the family, the man said.

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More activities are planned today through next Sunday as the city celebrates its 200th birthday.

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