In 1880 Gustavus Adolphus was the talk of Bluffton
By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com
A man named Gustavus Adolphus lived in Bluffton in 1880. That’s one name he went by. He also went by the name Dr. Rosenberg.
Another Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632) was once the King of Sweden. A college in St. Peter, Minnesota, founded in 1862, carries also his name.
One of the most peculiar stories ever published in the Bluffton News centers on our Gustavus Adolphus Rosenberg.
We refer to this story from the Nov. 11, 1880, Bluffton News. It’s rather short, but full of images and descriptions that makes us wonder if Bluffton today is a pretty dull place to live.
Placing this story in a better context, in 1880, the Bluffton population was not quite 1,500 persons. The Bluffton News was in its fourth year. The town hall was not yet built and many buildings on Main Street did not yet exist.
For the interesting story of Gustavus, click HERE.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Friday, October 9, 2026
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- October 9 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
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- Caitlyn Couch junior piano recital, October 16
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Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines on Thursday, October 8
- St. John Bible Church to host "Refocus on Purpose" workshop
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- BPL Afterschool activity: Curious Kids Club
- Book and pizza tasting at Bluffton Public Library
- Final 50 for 250 performance at BPL
- Walking through the Suter Corn Maze
- Resident feedback sought for Regional Transportation Plan
- Bluffton University honors three for service, achievement and leadership
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, Friday, Oct. 9
- Fire extinguished at SRK Industries, plant resumed operation same day
- Bluffton girls tie Grove in NWC showdown
- Pirate volleyball falls to powerhouse Patriots
- BHS GOAT: Latin teacher Margaret Weaver
- Library patrons invited to showcase their collections or causes
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