You are here

Home » News

Historical Bluffton

Walter Gratz

Posted by Fred Steiner on June 7, 2010 - 4:46am

The Icon recently mentioned the foot X-ray machine in a Bluffton business. Here is Walter Gratz, owner of Gratz shoe store, Bluffton. The store eventually became Bazzy's Shoe Store. Most Bluffton residents 50 and older probably had their first pair of shoes purchased in the Gratz store.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Sportsmen's squirrel house project

Posted by Fred Steiner on June 3, 2010 - 5:16pm

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Sometime back in the 1940s the Bluffton Sportsmen's Club members created squirrel houses. Can you believe that? We recognize several persons in this photo and invite Icon viewers to provide additional identification. We'll offer a couple ourselves. Front row, far left, Silas Diller. Top row, far left, Ralph Reichenbach. Bottom row, three men on far right, Nelson Herr, Jack Berry and Eugene Benroth.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

William "Kaiser" Gaiffe, a Bluffton legend

Posted by Fred Steiner on May 25, 2010 - 5:00am

TO ENLARGE, CLICK ON PHOTO
William "Kaiser" Gaiffe was the chief of police in Bluffton in the 1960s. He was also the cemetery sexton, in charge of the village crew and held several other unofficial village posts, to numerous to mention. This classic photo of a small town police chief was probably taken by Charles Hilty. We welcome "Gaiffe" stories from any viewers.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Cappy Clark-Charles Hauenstein's Pirates

Posted by Fred Steiner on May 12, 2010 - 3:34pm

CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTO
This sports gem shows the Bluffton midget Pirates in the late 1960s; at least as best as we can guess. When these players competed in high school they were among several teams of Northwest Conference champs. In fact, if you look closely there are a couple all-state football players on this team.

We won't take the time to identify the players. We believe there are several Icon viewers, including Tom Cark (standing number 12) who will do it for us. We await your identifications

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Edgar Hauenstein, Bluffton druggist

Posted by Fred Steiner on May 8, 2010 - 4:27am

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Greg Conkling of his day, Edgar Hauenstein, served most of his life as Bluffton's druggist. This photo of Mr. Hauenstein, was taken by Darvin Luginbuhl for The Lima News. It was taken upon Mr. Hauenstein's retirement after serving 23 years on the Bluffton-Richland Public Library board. The wording on the back of the photo reads: Mr. Hauenstein is pictured at his usual post of pharmacist at Hauenstein's corner drug store. Seen in the background are authentic apothecary bottles which are over 80 years old.
(Collection of Fred Steiner)

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

The Stratton Greenhouse story: 61 years in our community

Posted by Fred Steiner on May 6, 2010 - 6:16pm

NOTE: The Icon is happy to publish this account by Steve Stratton. In it, he shares the 61-year history of Stratton Greenhouse. Click here to view photos.

By Steve Stratton

As Dad, Jim Stratton, got back from WWII (spending 3 years in the South Pacific on a supply ship ' the USS Calamares' delivering and receiving to ports in the Philippines, Australia, China, and others as a 18 year old) he went back to Westinghouse in Lima to work.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
»

Pages