Rudi Steiner remembers Bluffton in the 1950s:
For more information about "Bluffton Anthology" click here.
Rudi Steiner remembers Bluffton in the 1950s:
• On Main Street, or close to it, you could get a flattop or a perm,
try on a ladies hat,
have your foot X-rayed,
buy a 3-cent first class stamp,
purchase a Farmall tractor,
eat a hamburger,
open a Christmas savings account,
put an ad in the Bluffton News,
pick up a day-old Chicago American newspaper,
pay a fine for an overdue book,
catch a Greyhound “Scenicruiser’’ bus to Lima or Toledo,
gas up your car and even graduate from high school.
• If your cow needed shots Niswander or Herring, veterinarians,
were ready to shoot it.
There were two Dr. Basingers to pull your teeth,
three doctors to make you feel better when you were sick, and
a hospital to go to if you broke your arm or needed your tonsils removed.
• If you were a “Ford, Chevy or Buick man” Bluffton had a dealer for you.
• If you died, there were two undertakers eager to handle your funeral arrangements and
several churches ready to save your soul and get you to Heaven.
This is a sample of the content of "Bluffton Anthology - A creek runs through it." Copies are now available for $24.95 plus tax in Bluffton at:
• Roots by Strattons
• The Food Store
• The Black Lab
• Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
• The Dough Hook
• Polished
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- October 19 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
- Production offers a modern take on the story of St. Clare of Assisi
- Bluffton volleyball edged in 5 by Van Buren
- Pirate girls soccer tie O-G
- Bluffton Council recap: Officers honored for 25 years of service
- Bluffton Clean Up teams up with Troop 3256 Cub Scouts
- Ada FFA: Feeding the Farmers
- Nov. 7 Fall Community Day at Bluffton University
- Quarry Farm Nature Preserve news for Fall 2026