Photo from "The Bluffton You Never Knew" / PHOTO Allen County Historical Society
Prior to 1897 Bluffton residents' water came from wells. The town-wide water system developed shortly after that.
Here is one of the most unusual photos of Bluffton you will ever see. It's a test of water pressure in 1897 or 1898. The test occurred during the opening of the Bluffton water plant. It demonstrated that the pressure enabled water to shoot higher than Main Street buildings, a plus for the fire department.
This photo is taken on Main Street looking north at the Main-Cherry intersection. This test took several minutes as you can see the water running in the gutter on the dirt street. Sidney Hauenstein took this photo.
By the way, Main Street was not yet paved, so you can imagine the condition of the street following this test.
In the place of today’s Citizens National Bank stands the Russell Hotel.
This photo is one of nearly 170 photos taken of Bluffton prior to 1911. It's published in "The Bluffton We Never Knew," a project of Bluffton Icon. The book will be available in December.
Presale order are taken now at a $3 discount. An order blank is attached. (Photo from Allen County, Ohio, Historical Society)

Stories Posted This Week
Monday, June 30, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Community Pool closed June 28
- Weekend Doctor: About Rotator Cuff Repair
- WOAL Swim Champs in Wapakoneta July 11-12
- '60s Survivors Band plays fifth annual free concert
- Bluffton Lions to bring all-abilities playground to new Legacy Park
- July 2025 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
- Save the date: July 17 Garden Club is all about herbs
- Bluffton Vacation Bible School, July 13-17 at Bluffton Y
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Bluffton safety services respond to multi-vehicle accidents on I-75
- Travel opportunities update from Bluffton Senior Center
- Send July 2025 Community Calendar items to the Icon
- National Night Out is August 5, planning is in final stages
- Bluffton Senior Center activities schedule for July 2025
- Does your business have summer hours? Post them on the Icon
- Bluffton, Ohio ranks 4th in Ohio for bike network quality