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
Friday, August 1, 2025
Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Bluffton University names Dr. J. Alexander Sider as next President
- GLP-1s and weight loss: Impact on muscles
- Check out August 2025 at Bluffton Public Library
- Discovery Days prize drawing results, check your tickets
- Wesley “Wes” Allen Leightner worked for Phillips
- How floundering Cards should deal at deadline
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Letter: BOHS work night at the Depot, July 30
- County park district considers name change, invites feedback
- Teen vaccine clinic at Bluffton Middle School, August 18
- State of Ohio expands commercial truck parking at US 30 rest areas
- National Night Out celebration is August 5
- Bluffton council hears neighbor concerns about proposed school practice field
- GROB Systems to host 5-AXIS LIVE! with 21 industry partners on Aug. 5