One half century ago on Main Street
It's January 1965. Dick Boehr took this photo of the Stauffer Brother's Pure Oil station at the corner of Main and Elm - directly across from the town hall.
We can't read the gas pumps, but that leaded gas was around 33 cents a gallon.
Today a different building stands there, housing Smith Realty, Padrone's Pizza and Ameriprise.
Here are several observations about this photo and Icon viewers are invited to offer more thoughts.
It appears that a 1955 Oldsmobile, with its hood up, is parked on at the station. The vehicle on the street could be a 1947 or 1948 what? Chevy? Ford? Help us out, Icon viewers.
Notice the downtown Christmas ornaments. And check the sidewalk and curb. Not much to brag about there.
Look at the attractive light pole. Aren't we glad that those poles are history?
Take time to look at the brick building on the other side of the street. Today that's the A to Z Meats. In 1965 it was a Marathon station. Did Cookson's or Hardwick's run it? You'll notice that you could drive your car "into" the building to fill up your tank.
Other observations are welcome.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- September 29 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Wapakoneta
- Pirate boys golf 4th at NWC tourney; Meyer places 2nd
- Pirate girls soccer shuts out Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys soccer shuts out Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate girls tennis blanks Kenton
- Bluffton Fall Festival overflows with family fun
- Stauber exhibit at Massillon Museum through November 1
- Arlington invites generations of alumni to all-school Homecoming
Monday, September 28, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, September 21-27
- Alan K. Yoder, O.D., 86, owned Family Eye Care Clinic of Bluffton
- I-75 lane restrictions in Hancock County, Sept. 28-Oct. 2
- Travis Michael Swank, 40, was a salesman
- NetVUE panel highlights chaplaincy, vocation and meaningful work
- Bluffton Presbyterian hosts community-wide Socktober drive
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, September 25
- Clay, community, and the classroom
- Pirate volleyball loss vs. Crestview
- Pirate girls soccer win vs. Allen East
- Janine Elizabeth (Minnich) Millager, 87, was a lab technician
- Send October 2026 calendar events to the Icon
- New time for Planning and Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow meetings, Sept 29
- Pirate boys golf 10th at sectionals
- Fall Festival activities are all over Bluffton, Sept. 26