Eastern Woodlands Indians along Deer/Riley Creek at the Swiss House during Fall Festival
From left: J.J. "Sunfish" Garmatter, Austen "Feared Bear" Herron, Nick "Little Deer" Luke, Casey "Little Squirrel" McGuire, Clay "Whispering Blue Jay" Burkholder, Misha "River Trout" Groman and Christian "Red Fox" Groman.
The Bluffton Boy Scouts, under the direction of Assistant Scoutmaster Gary Wetherill, had made authentic costumes and learned about the Eastern Woodlands Indians which lived in our area from the mid-1700s through early 1800s.
The creek was originally known as "Tawa Creek." "Tawa" is the Ottawa Indian word for "Deer." Deer Creek was renamed "Riley Creek" when Captain and Deputy Surveyor James Riley's son accidently fell in the creek and almost drowned while being surveyed in 1820.
The scouts discussed Indian life and played Indian games with the public who visited the Schumacher Home during Bluffton's Fall Festival.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Monday, August 10, 2026
- Pirate girls tennis 2nd at Lima City tourney
- Professor Parquet on the passing of Don Nelson
- Bluffton historical society to discuss upcoming events, fundraising
- Bluffton Public Library hosts Mobile Health Clinic on Aug. 13
- 2026 PorchFest preview: Tommy Jenkins, Cat Dailey, Szabo Trio
- Chair massages offered at the Senior Center
- Bluffton Senior Center to host Spa Day
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Friday, August 7, 2026
- BHS Junior Class to hold Post Prom fundraiser on Sept. 13
- Aug. 23 anniversary celebration at Tri-County Family Assembly of God
- Pirate boys golf 10th at L-B Invite
- Save these dates: Four more months of America 250 events in Bluffton
- Lens turns Bluffton's NNO fireworks to neon
- Should all beavers beware of Buc-ee's logo litigation?
- Letter: As Ohio grows, conservation must become part of the conversation
- 2026 Lincoln Highway Buy Way sales August 13-15
- History you can taste: Bluffton celebrates local businesses on Aug. 8