Here's a photo worth 10,000 Bluffton words. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Santa Claus (portrayed by Al McCluer) in an early 1950s Bluffton Santa Claus visit approaches a farm wagon stage on the Prebsyterian Church lawn. He arrived by fire truck. Can anyone please identify the fire truck in the photo? The Ford on Main heading north is a 1951 model.
In the background is the original Citizens National Bank, prior to two modifications. Next door is Crow's 5 and 10, The Charles Company and Urich's IGA.
The photo of the A and P is NOT the Bluffton store. It's the ADA store.
Thanks to a couple hawk-eyed viewers, we've admitted our error. Take for example, this comment from Ken Cookson:
That photo of the A & P store just doesn’t look right. The adjacent buildings don’t match what was there then or now. Is that a parking meter in the photo to the right?
if you are 58 or older, you recognize this person.
It is Miss Theresa "Teddie" Slusser. She was a Bluffton College graduate, held a master's degree from Bowling Green and taught several history and social studies classes for seventh graders through high school students.
After her official retirement in the mid-1960s she returned as a substitute teacher. She also was the village treasurer for several terms, which was an elected postion.
Here's a photo from the Bluffton Public Library archives. Taken in June 1936, it is a group of persons who attended a Triplett Corp. sales meeting.
Sorry to say, we can only identify the follow:
• R.L. Triplett - front row, white shoes.
• Arden Baker - second row, light suit, dark tie and vest, to the right of R.L. Triplett.
• Norm Triplett - back row, light suit, dark shirt, to the left of Arden Baker.