FROM FACEBOOK__On August 26, 1880, The Bluffton News, reported that "A bicycle on our streets Sunday attracted some attention."* In 2026, the Swiss Community Historical Society is putting together a new exhibit on bicycles in the Bluffton-Pandora area Swiss settlement.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8: Q&A and display of Fett Hardware memorabilia with Ed Fett and family at Bluffton Senior Center, 132 N. Main St.
By Josiah Bergstrand
Fett Hardware, which opened in 1894 and was originally located at 127 N Main St, was one of the most prominent family-owned businesses on Bluffton's Main Street throughout its 92 years of operation. The store was opened by John Fett, a savvy businessman who also owned the Bluffton Slaw Cutter company and co-owned the Arras Cream Separator Company.
By Kaye Phillips
Swiss Community Historical Society
Thank you to Diane Dillman Elshire and Jim Dillman for donating a set of 11 beautiful trays that once belonged to their grandmother, Ella Luginbuhl Dillman to the SCHS to use in the Heritage Center kitchen.
Diane and Jim told of the trays being used to serve refreshments for Sunday School parties in Ella’s home on Zurfluh Road, Bluffton, Ohio. According to Diane, the Sunday School class would meet in members’ homes once a month.
PHOTOS FROM BILL LUGINBUHL__In keeping with the August 8 Bluffton History Day theme, "History Hiding in Plain Sight," Bill Luginbuhl shared these examples: Left) a glass insulator on a Bluffton pole that he notes "appears not to be in service." These items, which are often found in antique shops, were used on telegraph and telephone lines until the 1930s. Right) He also shared this photo of an original stone curb, which is still in service along Cherry St. near Main.
BOHS hosts June meeting on Wednesday, the 10th / CLICK photos to enlarge
By Paula Pyzik Scott
At the May monthly meeting of the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society discussion will include plans for an encore presentation by Fred Steiner on most-wanted criminal John Dillinger for the Wake the Dead motorcycle group on Saturday, October 10. Steiner will be casting volunteers to play August 14, 1933, eyewitnesses to the robbery of Bluffton's Citizens National Bank.
In the video below, Bluffton Icon founder and historian Fred Steiner presents Our Swiss Story, a program originally made on April 19, 2026 spring meeting of the Swiss Community Historical Society at the Schumacher Homestead and Swiss Heritage Center.
