The Bluffton Story - part 6
Note: Bluffton sixth graders in the 1953-54 school year (graduating class of 1960) created a booklet titled "The Bluffton Story." The following article is part of that booklet, which is now in the history collection at the Bluffton Public Library. This series continues each week on the Icon.
By Sandra Diller and Connie Patterson
Bluffton's first post office was started in 1837 with a Daniel Gobel as postmaster. Mr. Gobel received a salary of fifteen dollars a year and mail was distributed at the post office once a month.
On May 7, 1852, the post office was named Croghan Post Office, Shannon, Ohio, in order to avoid confusion with a Shannon in the southern part of the state. The name of Croghan was selected in honor of Col. George Croghan who defended Fort Stephenson at Fremont in the War of 1812.
Shannon (now Bluffton) was at this time located in Putnam county. The make-up of the counties was changed and Shannon was moved to Allen county.
It was said at the time all Allen County got in the shift was a lot of Democrats and bridges.
The next big change to the post office came in the year 1861 when on August 17, the voters went to the polls and voted to change the name from Shannon to Bluffton at the suggestion of Jacob Moser who had moved here from Bluffton, Indiana.
The post office has been moved several times. It was at one time located on Riley Street, then to north Main Street corner of Jefferson, Vine Street and South Main St.
Bluffton was thrilled in 1940 when on July 21, the cornerstone was laid for the first federal building to be erected in Bluffton.
The new post office opened for business on January 10, 1941.
The post office of Bluffton has had seventeen postmasters. Mr. Edward R. Reichenbach has been the postmaster since 1934, and the office now employs 12.
The postmasters of the past were M. M (Dode) Murray, Gideon Locher, John Patterson, William Bently, M. G. Smith, John Martin, Edwin Edsall, Andrew Hauenstein, Abe Long, Robert D. Murray, Jacob Moser, Milos Vance, William McDermitt, Erastus Thompson, and Daniel Gobel.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Community Pool closed June 28
- Weekend Doctor: About Rotator Cuff Repair
- WOAL Swim Champs in Wapakoneta July 11-12
- '60s Survivors Band plays fifth annual free concert
- Bluffton Lions to bring all-abilities playground to new Legacy Park
- July 2025 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
- Save the date: July 17 Garden Club is all about herbs
- Bluffton Vacation Bible School, July 13-17 at Bluffton Y
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Bluffton safety services respond to multi-vehicle accidents on I-75
- Travel opportunities update from Bluffton Senior Center
- Send July 2025 Community Calendar items to the Icon
- National Night Out is August 5, planning is in final stages
- Bluffton Senior Center activities schedule for July 2025
- Does your business have summer hours? Post them on the Icon
- Bluffton, Ohio ranks 4th in Ohio for bike network quality