Any idea what that ZT license plate means? (Answer is below)
It’s the fall of 1966 and you are walking north on Bluffton’s Main Street.
Compare this scene to the 1940s photo of the same view - not much has changed.
Directly in front of you is a Pandora-owned 1959 Chevrolet. The ZT license plate gives away the hometown.
Coming toward you is a 1963 Ford station wagon and a ’65 Mustang is following closer than is should be.
Passing those vehicles is a 1962 Corvair.
On the right side of the street is the Carma Theatre (doesn’t look like there’s a show today). Next is Niswander Newsstand. It’s also the Greyhound bus stop.
On the other side of the street is the John Deere dealership owned by the Warren family. Looks like West Ohio Gas office is next followed by Millager Pharmacy and Citizens National Bank.
If you look way down the street you’ll see Stauffer Pure gas station, just this side of a Marathon station.
Today each of these building continues to house businesses. The Warren Implement, West Ohio Gas and Millager buildings no longer exist, as Citizens National Bank expanded into those properties.
We can’t help but comment on the space-age light poles. One additional comment is that this scene shows Main Street prior to the original streetscape program that installed new sidewalk, light poles and awnings on most of these buildings.
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