Historical Bluffton

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When it comes to fires in Bluffton, this one was one of the most tragic.

This was the Russell Hotel that was destroyed in a 1919 fire. The building stood at the corner of Main and Church (see the Mennonite Church steeple in the background).

The fire destroyed the holtel, the Lugibihl Hardware and the Bluffton telephone exchange.

Today Citizens National Bank is located on this site.

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It's August 1963 - a warm summer day in downtown Bluffton. Dick Boehr took this photo and let's name the businesses from right to left:

• Basinger Furniture - today The Black Lab
• Western Auto - today Diller's Flooring
• Swank's Meat Market - today The Dough Hook
• Walter Gratz's shoe store - today Fortman Insurance
• Waltermire's - today Sielschott, Keifer, Walsh, Regula CPAs
* Hauenstein Bakery - today The Sports Warehouse
• Greding Hardware - today Family True Value Hardware

 

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Here's the Bluffton High School class of 1956 during the 1953-54 school year when they were sophomores. This year the class celebrates its 60th reunion.

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Members of the Bluffton school board in 1948 are from left, Paul Diller, Norman Triplett, Carl Derringer (standing), James West, clerk; Levi Althaus (standing), and Leland Diller, board president. 

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A club that no longer exists in Bluffton schools is Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y. Both groups were open to sophomores through seniors and were related to YMCAs. Here are the girl Hi-Y members at BHS during the 1959-60 school year.

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In 1959 First United Methodist Church observed its 125th anniversary. Here is the anniversary committee.

From left, Mrs. Clarence Gleason, Forrest Steinman, Mrs. Hiram Huser and the Rev. James Heininger.

Standing from left E. James Szabo and A.J.B. Longsdorf. Mr. Longsdorf and Mrs. Huser co-chaired the committee.

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