BLUFFTON

I went to Chillicothe on Thursday and passed something so interesting, I had to stop to take a picture, then research it. I learned the following:

Bluffton, Ohio is a village partially in Allen and partially in Hancock Counties. The village was founded by European settlers in 1832.

Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, a four-year educational institution affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. The Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination in the United States which has roots in the Radical Reformation of the 16th century. The Mennonite church is committed to nonviolence, social justice and voluntary service.

Bluffton has a population of about 4,000 with a total area of 3.4 square miles, of which 3.3 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is water. There are many Amish Mennonites who live in Bluffton. Since most Amish live on farms, they had their own mode of mail delivery. Thus, the Amish Mail Buggy I saw for sale on a lot in Chillicothe.

Bluffton is also home to many small, family-run businesses, including florists, bakeries, and coffee shops, including Ohio's largest teddy bear store, and a full service quilt shop. Bluffton has 6 fast food restaurants, and is also home to the grocery store chain known locally as Community Markets.

In addition, I learned that veteran broadcaster Hugh Downs was a student at Bluffton University and later began his broadcasting career at WLOK in nearby Lima. And actress Phyllis Diller lived in Bluffton while attending Bluffton College.