If this is 1890, it must be Bluffton
If this is 1890, then this must be Bluffton.
It is Bluffton and it is Main and Cherry in one of the earliest photos of Main Street. Will Triplett took this photo.
Please look at the addition two photos below - we've enlarged portions of the original photo to look closer at this scene.
Here are some observations:
• The belfry of the school is on the far left.
• The Methodist Church (replaced in 1915 by the present building) is the next steeple.
• The only building in this photo standing today is the 101-103 N. Main St. block. • Additions were added later to rear of the 101 N. Main St. building.
• Trees are planted along Main Street.
• The trees are protected by wooden frames taller than the men on the street.
• Three of the buildings have second floor balconies.
• That might be a water pump in front of 101 N. Main.
• There’s also a horse trough and water pump on Cherry Street.
• There’s a jewelry store with a large sign in the shape of a pocket watch on the side of the building.
• A barber pole directs customers to a second-floor barber.
• Trees are also planted along what is today Church Street.
• The street is not yet paved.
• The Commercial Bank building - today housing John Wagner's National Agency, is not yet built.
• Will Triplett posed this photo as he had store owners stand in front of their businesses.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, September 4, 2026
- Bluffton chamber resumes monthly meetings, Sept. 11
- P.S. Why read, like and share local news?
- September 4 Bluffton High School athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball wins in 5 vs. Defiance Ayersville
- Pirate girls soccer blanked by Celina
- SummerFest will raise funds for Beaverdam-Richland Fire & Rescue
- 100 years of being Beavers: 2026 Bluffton University Homecoming, Oct. 2-4
- Beaverdam Bunch results from 2026 Allen County Junior Fair
- Celebrate Recovery program announced by Ebenezer Mennonite
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
- Bluffton University offers $1,000 annual award to enrollees who visit campus
- Pirate golf 3rd in NWC quad
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Elida
- Pirate boys soccer loss vs. Van Buren
- Pirate girls soccer win vs. Spencerville
- August 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district
- Bluffton alumnus to share grandmother's fight for U.S. citizenship
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, August 2026
- Pirate golfers split tri
- ICYMI: August 2026 Bluffton Icon Highlights
- Nisly to present colloquium on Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”
- Bluffton School district mails 2026-2027 Summer District Newsletter
- Emmanuel UCC is 2026 Bluffton Family Y coed softball champion