You are looking at Bill Hart in jail with Dick Mericle and Lester Hahn outside the jail in beards. It's another Bluffton centennial photo from 1961. Bill is in jail because he didn't grow a beard and failed to purchase a permit to allow him to shave.
Leland Gerber took this photo. Check the shadow made by Leland.You can see the round flash unit on his camera.
Ada was once known for its clay tile company. Here's a post card showing the company. The wording, difficult to read states: 'ADA CLAY CO., ADA, O. DRAIN TILE SIZES 3 1/2 INCHES TO 24 INCHES.
The flip side reveals this was a Christmas and new year's greeting from the company. This particular card was mailed to a customer in Dola on Dec. 23, 1919.
Post card from the collection of Leland Crouse, Ada.
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.
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-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.
