Historical Bluffton

Here's another in the Paul Diller series of Main Street Bluffton businessmen from the early 1950s. This is Hi Huser, partner in Steiner and Huser men's clothing store.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Here's another Paul Diller downtown Bluffton portrait from the early 1950s. Looks like Al Ingalls to us. Viewer comments are welcome.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Here's a "non-police" photo of William "Kaiser" Gaiffe. Paul Diller took a series of about 15 black and white portraits of Bluffton businessmen in the early 1950s. Gaiffe, who was eventually Bluffton's police chief, was owner of the Cloverleaf Market when this was taken. The store was on Vine Street in what is today the Richard Boehr offices.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

In the early 1950s Paul Diller took a series of black and white portraits of Main Street men. This is one of those photos. It is of Lazarus Basinger, also known as "Santa Claus."

This photo was taken in front of Leland Gerber's Neu-Art Photo Studio on South Main Street. Today it is part of the Citizens National Bank parking lot.

Viewers with stories about Lazarus are welcome to send them.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Here's a view of The Page Dairy Co., a once-upon-a-time flourishing Bluffton business. We believe that Leland Gerber took this photo. The building stands today but looks a bit different. It is on Triplett Drive where the Bluffton school buses are parked.

There are several items to point out in this photo. Perhaps senior Icon viewers can share more information with us.

Notice the condition of Triplett Drive - at the time this photo was taken, it was Harmon Road. The street doesn't appeared to be paved.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Here's a classic Bluffton centennial photo; Seated and beardless is Gerald "Tuffy" Swank, Bluffton barber. Standing behind him are the Mericle brothers, Dick, Bill and Gene.

Charles Hilty took this photo. Here's his comments:

Note that Tuffy didn't have a beard. Did he not grow one for the Centennial, or is this is posed photo taken just after the celebration ended and he's already shaved at home and the Mericle brothers have come in to get their beards shaved?

Pages