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Historical Bluffton

Hot hamburgers 5 cents; barbecued hame 10 cents

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Here's an interesting "ink blotter" advertising piece from Ada. It's from Barney's City Cigar Store, first door north of First National Bank.

The owner, H.M. "Barney" McGonigle, of Ada, offered all kinds of hot sandwiches, home made pies and soups, smoky goods and pool.

The store's "instant service" offered the best coffee in town. Here's the question that ages you: Can you explain the purpose of an ink blotter?

(From the collection of Leland Crouse)

 

Jailed for being beardless in 1961

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It was a crime to be "beardless" in Bluffton during the one-week August centennial in 1961. The only way men could stay out of jail was to purchase a pin  giving them permission to shave.

Bill Hart was caught by the Keystone Kops of Findlay and was jailed because he lacked a beard and a permit to share. He was housed in a make-shift jail on Main Street until someone bailed him out.

Leland Gerber photo

A 1960 parade photo

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Ron Geiser provide The Icon with another view of the Bluffton old car parade from 1960. This view is from what is today Tu Pueblo looking south on Main Street. Notice the many changes to downtown. 

How many Model Ts are on Main Street?

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How many Model-T Ford-era vehicles can you count. This is an aerial view of the 1961 Bluffton parade of antique vehicles. The parade took place during the centennial celebration. Leland Gerber took the photo and it appears that he took it while standing on the roof of his photo studio on South Main Street.

There are several other sites to observe in this 1961 Main Street photo. Look closely where the historical mural is today, for starters.

Next check out the sign in front of what is today Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

Threshing binder demonstration - 1961

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Here's another Bluffton Centennial (1961) photo of Leland Gerber. It shows a threshing binder demonstration. Archie Diller is on the left.

Icon viewer comments are welcome.

Lynn Basinger's trained hawk - 1961

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Lynn Basinger poseS with his trained hawk during the Bluffton Centennial in 1961.

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