Historical Bluffton

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Take a second look. What's different about this photo? Answer: It's the bridge crossing Riley Creek on East College Avenue. But, it's not the current bridge. It's the one-lane earlier bridge, removed in the late 1980s. Paul Diller took the photo one winter. Other than the bridge, not much more has changed from the scene. (Jim Diller collection)

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Here's a warm photo for a cold winter day. Paul Diller took this photo of the raft on the Buckeye, based on the suits and caps probably in the late 1950s.

Do you think you are in this photo? Or do you know someone in the photo? Let's hear from you. Paul probably took this shot along the sidewalk south of the high dive. (From the collection of Jim Diller)

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Here's a photo of Paul Diller, whose photos The Icon has shared with viewers this past month. Diller was a funeral director in Bluffton and as a hobby took photos.

Although not a professional photographer, his photos capture the essence of the Bluffton community in a manner that few other photographers have matched. Most of the Diller's photos reproduced on the Icon are from the 1940s to early 1970s.

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Here's a photo appropriate for a cold winter day. It shows Bluffton youth on inner tubing on the Buckeye. Paul Diller took this color slide photo. Can anyone identify the swimmers or the era of the photo? (Jim Diller collection)

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Shafik Bazzy and Harlan Swank, two former Main Street businessmen, stand on Main Street in 1978 in this photo taken by Paul Diller. They are probably discussing Bluffton's business climate.

Mr. Bazzy owned Bazzy's Shoe Store and Mr. Swank was a partner in Swank's Meat Market.

Viewer comments are welcome. (From the Jim Diller collection)

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Are you old enough to identify this former Bluffton businessman? It is Charles Hankish (senior) standing at his soda fountain. Rich Garmatter sent the photo that was from his dad, Eli Garmatter's collection.

The Hankish store was on North Main Street between Church Street and the alley north of The Sports Warehouse.

Reader comments are welcome.

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