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A Shawnee Indian walked from Oklahoma to Bluffton

Posted by Staff on October 2, 2022 - 7:34am

To see the land where he once camped

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

First of a series of articles pertaining to indigenous people of the Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties. 

From a 1928 Bluffton News, history of the community–While Michael Neuenschwander, the first Swiss settler to this community, constructed a temporary hut as his family dwelling a party of Indians came through and stopped.  

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Bicycle mania strikes Bluffton in the 1890s

Posted by Staff on September 25, 2022 - 7:59am

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Harry Fenton fell off his bicycle Sunday, and dislocated his thumb and little finger and seriously injured the middle finger of his left hand. – 1896 Bluffton News 

This story may not make news today, but 126 years ago, it was a worthy news item in the Bluffton News. 

Why? Because, in the mid-1890s Bluffton, like much of the nation, caught itself up in a two-word phrase: bicycle mania. 

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Historical Bluffton
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Schumacher Homestead Bank Barn entrance realignment

Posted by Paula Scott on September 23, 2022 - 6:45am

See attached video HERE.

When Bluffton Fall Festival visitors stop by the Schumacher Homestead at 8350 Bixel Rd., they'll find a big project underway. Some eight tons of flagstone and huge retaining blocks are being used to recreate an east-facing bank, which was original to the barn.

The project began with creating a new opening and building the two large doors on the east gable end of the barn.

Recently the foundation and flagstone walls of the southeast corner were rebuilt by head mason Ron Keller using flagstone donated by Mike Gerken of the Bluffton Stone Company. The concrete floor inside the barn was broken up and replaced with stone. The debris is filling the new bank.

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Historical Bluffton
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It could be Bluffton and Pandora’s oldest continually-operating enterprise

Posted by Staff on September 18, 2022 - 7:01am

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

The Morning Star cider press is, well, as old as Bluffton and Pandora. Owned today by Suter Produce and located on Road R, Pandora, it is now open for the season.

We found a story from the Aug 8, 1957, Bluffton News, that shares some background on the business. That information follows:

In 1957, Seth Basinger, 81-year-old Pandora farmer, has been in the business 42 years.

Seth went into the cider business with his friend and partner,­­ Sam Amstutz.

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Historical Bluffton
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The day 500 vehicles an hour passed through Bluffton

Posted by Paula Scott on September 11, 2022 - 8:15am

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Imagine 500 vehicles in one hour traveling down Main Street Bluffton. 

That’s eight per minute. 

That’s one every seven seconds.

And, it happened on Labor Day, 1927. 

Yes, 95 Labor Days ago traffic on Bluffton’s Main Street averaged one vehicle every seven seconds. 

The following account from the Sept. 8, 1927, Bluffton News tells the story. 

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Historical Bluffton
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Riley’s deep, dark, dangerous secrets

Posted by Staff on August 28, 2022 - 7:59am

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Due to quarries in the Riley, it could be said that Bluffton was built underwater

Did you know that the Big and Little Riley Creeks hold deep, dark secrets? 

This sounds creepy, and even crazy. But, its secrets border on being surprisingly dangerous.

Laugh if you must, but …

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Historical Bluffton
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