Imagine the scene: Bluffton in the 1890s. Specifically the cow pasture immediately west of Riley Street and north of Riley Creek. This colorized post card view shows Riley Creek from what today are condos belonging to Mennonite Memorial Home.

The bridge, called the arch bridge, was a single-lane structure made from local limestone. This was the spot where a young, unmarried couple might walk to in the evening to get away from the Bluffton crowd.

Sadly, bridge was not built for the 20th century. It was replaced by the current bridge in the late 1960s. At the time this photo was taken, this road was a major entrance to the village from the west. (From the collection of Fred Steiner)