This is how Main Street appeared in the fall of 1969 if you stood at the alley of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church and looked at the west side of Main.
From right to left, you are looking at Waltermire's clothing story, Hauenstein's Bakery and Greding Hardware.
Come on, Icon viewers, you can name the businesses south of Gredings, can't you?
It's Nov. 22, 1969, in downtown Bluffton. Main Street businesses are in the midst of the most major makeover in the town's history. Awnings are being added to businesses.
The businesses in this photo are, from left, Rice's Tot Shop, Bluffton News, Bruce Shelly Nationwide, Dr. Allan Yoder, optometrist, and Greding Hardware.
Interesting to note that after 46 years there's still a newspaper, insurance office, optometrist and hardware in those businesses.
Dick Boehr took this photo. Notice the steps at the Tot Shop (today Bluffton News).
The month and year is August 1966. The photographer is Dick Boehr.
Q: What's taking place in this scene?
A: The Ream family Community Market, 128 N. Main St., (on the left) has closed and Steiner and Huser Men's Clothier, 126 N. Main St., (on the right) has relocated to South Main - the current location of The Food Store.
In place of both businesses is an expanded Balmer's women's clothing store. This business eventually became Uhlman's women's clothing store. Then it became Greg's Pharmacy.
This is the earliest photo of a group of Bluffton women we've ever viewed. The best part is that every woman is listed - however - the listing is by their married name. (Except for two single women).
And, while we have all their names, we aren't certain of who is who, because the names are not row by row.
The names suggest these are wives of businessmen in Bluffton.
Here's the list, as it is hand written on the back of the photo, from top to bottom. Perhaps they are listed in order, but we don't know if the order starts on the front row or the back row.
