Editing Bluffton, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| motto              = "The Parlor City"
| image_skyline      = Wells County Courthouse P4020318.jpg
| image_caption      = The [[Wells County Courthouse (Indiana)|Wells County Courthouse]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Wells County, Indiana|National Register of Historic Places]]
| image_map          = Wells County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Bluffton Highlighted 1806220.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Bluffton in Wells County, Indiana.
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Indiana]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Wells County, Indiana|Wells]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana|Harrison]], [[Lancaster Township, Wells County, Indiana|Lancaster]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = John Whicker ([[Republican (United States)|R]])<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blufftonindiana.net/bluffton-mayor/ | title=Mayor of Bluffton, Indiana &#124; City of Bluffton Indiana | access-date=February 26, 2023 | archive-date=February 26, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226055510/https://blufftonindiana.net/bluffton-mayor/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318023320/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 22.06
| area_land_km2      = 21.72
| area_water_km2     = 0.34
| area_total_sq_mi   = 8.52
| area_land_sq_mi    = 8.39
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.13
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 10308
| population_density_sq_mi = 1229.19
| population_density_km2 = 474.57
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 807
| coordinates        = {{coord|40|45|17|N|85|10|00|W|region:US-IN_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| website            = {{URL|www.ci.bluffton.in.us}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46714
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 260|260]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|18|06220}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] ID
| blank1_info        = 2394209<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394209}}</ref>
}}

'''Bluffton'''  is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Wells County, Indiana]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref>  It sits on the banks of the Wabash River in the northeastern part of the state. The population was 10,308 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 9,897 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]. Bluffton is nicknamed the "Parlor City" for its history of having some of the first clean paved streets in the area during the time of the [[Indiana gas boom]].

==History==
===Early settlement and incorporation===
The first non-Native American settlers arrived in what is now Bluffton in 1835. They arrived as a result of the end of the [[Black Hawk War]] as well as the completion of the [[Erie Canal]]. They consisted entirely of settlers from [[New England]]. These were "[[Yankee]]" settlers, that is to say they were descended from the [[English people|English]] [[Puritans]] who settled [[New England]] in the colonial era. They were primarily members of the [[Congregational church|Congregational Church]] though due to the [[Second Great Awakening]] many of them had converted to [[Methodism]] and some had become [[Baptists]] before coming to what is now Bluffton. The Congregational Church subsequently has gone through many divisions and some factions are now known as the [[Church of Christ]] and [[Church of God (disambiguation)|Church of God]]. When the [[New England]] settlers arrived in what is now Bluffton there was nothing but a dense virgin forest and wild prairie.<ref name="Tyndall">{{Cite book |title=John Wilson Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh, Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties (1918)}}</ref>

Bluffton was platted in 1838, it was named for river bluffs near the original town site.<ref>{{cite book|title=Exploring Indiana Highways: Trip Trivia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7zds6xx7S0C&pg=PA89|year=2007|publisher=Exploring America's Highway|isbn=978-0-9744358-3-1|page=89}}</ref> The Bluffton post office has been in operation since 1839.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Wells | title=Wells County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=6 July 2016 | archive-date=September 3, 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050903163054/http://postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Wells | url-status=live }}</ref> In its early years it was a primitive, backwoods village, subject to frequent floods of the Wabash and outbreaks of malaria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bluffton's History {{!}} City of Bluffton Indiana |url=https://blufftonindiana.net/blufftons-history/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=blufftonindiana.net |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008052224/https://blufftonindiana.net/253/Blufftons-History |url-status=live }}</ref> Wells Country was organized in 1837 and shortly thereafter four commissioners were appointed to choose the county seat. The contestants for the county seat of government were Bluffton, Vera Cruz and Murray, but it was later narrowed to just two, Bluffton and Murray. The four commissioners struggled to determine the location of the county seat at first, but on March 5, 1838, Bluffton was named the county seat after their final vote. Mr. Abraham Studabaker and Robert C. Bennet, both landowners in Bluffton, set aside land for a county courthouse and donated US$270 ({{Inflation|US|270|1838|fmt=eq}}). On March 9, 1838, the commissioners chose the site for the county courthouse which used the land donated by Abram Studabaker and Robert C. Bennet "with a reserve of two choice lots".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Ronald L. |url=http://archive.org/details/fromneedmoretopr00bake |title=From Needmore to Prosperity : Hoosier place names in folklore and history |date=1995 |publisher=Bloomington : Indiana University Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-253-32866-3}}</ref><ref name="Tyndall" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wells County Historical Society and Museum |url=https://wchs-museum.org/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Wells County Historical Society and Museum |language=en |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227084022/https://wchs-museum.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first county courthouse was erected in 1840 by David Whitman. it was a 2-story building located on the west side of Main Street, between Market and Wabash streets.

Bluffton was incorporated in 1851 with 850 people.

{{Blockquote|text="We met at the house of Robert C. Bennett, in said county of Wells, on the first Monday of March, 1838, and have selected the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 4, Township 26, Range 12, for the site for the seat of justice of Wells County, which land was donated by Abram Studabaker with a reserve of two choice lots. He also donated 31.90 acres off the east end of the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 33, Town 27, Range 12 east. Robert C. Bennett donates the southeast fraction of the northeast corner. Studabaker and Bennett also donated $270 in cash."|title="Signed, March 9, 1838, Christopher Hanna, John Rogers, William
Kizer, Zachariah Smith, Locating Commissioners."|author=The report by the commissioners:}}

===Industrial growth===
In 1848, the idea of a 10-mile planked road from Bluffton to [[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]] gained popularity throughout the city. In 1849 a ten-mile stretch of the plank road was constructed by city locals. From 1852 to 1856 the road was planked before being disused – replaced by a gravel road.

As early as the 1840s and 1850s there were plans made for [[railroads]]. However, none of them had been successful. In 1852 the first railroad known as the [[List of Indiana railroads|Fort Wayne, Cincinnati Louisville Railroad]] was surveyed but it was delayed due to the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. From 1867 - 1868 the railroad began construction through Bluffton and by 1869 it was completed. The advent of the railroad brought great prosperity to Bluffton and would help ditch the numerous swamps that brought risks such as [[malaria]] and flooding.

In the 1890s the construction of the iconic 5 story [[Richardsonian Romanesque]] style [[sandstone]] courthouse was completed, ushering in a new era for Bluffton and Wells County. Bluffton was included in the corporate name of the short-lived [[Cincinnati, Bluffton and Chicago Railroad]], founded in 1903. The railroad's Bluffton bridge collapsed on May 22, 1913, and the struggling carrier went out of business shortly thereafter.<ref name="Martin and Webb">{{cite book |title=Images of America: Huntington |last=Martin |first=Todd and Webb, Jeffrey |year=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Charleston, S.C. |pages=44–45 }}</ref>

=== African American history ===
Bluffton is one of the first towns in Indiana, and across [[United States|America]], to both publicly acknowledge its history of exclusion as a [[sundown town]] and to promote itself as an inclusive town. In 2006, Bluffton was featured in ''[[USA Today]]''<ref>{{Cite news |last=El Nasser |first=Haya |date=August 4, 2006 |title=Small Indiana Town Singing Tune of Racial, Ethnic Harmony |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-03-inclusive-inside_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023052947/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-03-inclusive-inside_x.htm |archive-date=2012-10-23 |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> as an inclusive town that was putting up welcoming, inclusive signs at all local schools as well as at the entrances of three state highways. Mayor Ted Ellis was noted in the article for his helping Bluffton become one of the first to join the [[National League of Cities]]' ''Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National League of Cities Official Website<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.nlc.org/resources_for_cities/programs___services/inclusive_communities_partnership/7952.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019130814/http://www.nlc.org/resources_for_cities/programs___services/inclusive_communities_partnership/7952.aspx |archive-date=October 19, 2007}}</ref>

===The Parlor City===
The City of Bluffton is nicknamed the "Parlor City" for its history of having some of the first clean paved streets in the area during the time of the [[Indiana gas boom|Trenton Oil boom]]. Most streets at the time were dirt. The nickname came from the fact that the parlor in someone's home at the time would be the cleanest room in the house because that is the first space that your guests see when they come into your home. Entering downtown today, the brand-new Parlor City Plaza acts as the first thing you see, along with the historic courthouse, justifying the "Parlor City" nickname.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Bluffton Indiana {{!}} The Parlor City |url=https://blufftonindiana.net/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=blufftonindiana.net |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226044636/https://blufftonindiana.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the 2010 census, Bluffton has a total area of {{convert|8.359|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|8.23|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 98.46%) is land and {{convert|0.129|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 1.54%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1806220
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=2015-07-28
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213063741/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1806220
  |archive-date=2020-02-13
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Bluffton, Indiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1971–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 67
 | Feb record high F  = 74
 | Mar record high F  = 86
 | Apr record high F  = 87
 | May record high F  = 95
 | Jun record high F  = 100
 | Jul record high F  = 104
 | Aug record high F  = 99
 | Sep record high F  = 97
 | Oct record high F  = 90
 | Nov record high F  = 79
 | Dec record high F  = 70
 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 56.1
|Feb avg record high F = 58.7
|Mar avg record high F = 70.3
|Apr avg record high F = 80.4
|May avg record high F = 87.5
|Jun avg record high F = 92.0
|Jul avg record high F = 92.6
|Aug avg record high F = 90.8
|Sep avg record high F = 89.3
|Oct avg record high F = 82.1
|Nov avg record high F = 68.9
|Dec avg record high F = 57.6
|year avg record high F = 94.4

 | Jan high F = 31.9
 | Feb high F = 35.6
 | Mar high F = 46.7
 | Apr high F = 59.9
 | May high F = 71.1
 | Jun high F = 79.6
 | Jul high F = 82.6
 | Aug high F = 80.9
 | Sep high F = 75.6
 | Oct high F = 63.2
 | Nov high F = 48.9
 | Dec high F = 37.2
 | year high F = 59.4
 | Jan mean F = 24.5
 | Feb mean F = 27.4
 | Mar mean F = 37.3
 | Apr mean F = 49.3
 | May mean F = 60.8
 | Jun mean F = 70.0
 | Jul mean F = 73.0
 | Aug mean F = 71.0
 | Sep mean F = 64.7
 | Oct mean F = 52.8
 | Nov mean F = 40.6
 | Dec mean F = 30.1
 | year mean F = 50.1
 | Jan low F = 17.2
 | Feb low F = 19.2
 | Mar low F = 27.9
 | Apr low F = 38.7
 | May low F = 50.6
 | Jun low F = 60.4
 | Jul low F = 63.3
 | Aug low F = 61.2
 | Sep low F = 53.7
 | Oct low F = 42.4
 | Nov low F = 32.2
 | Dec low F = 23.0
 | year low F = 40.8

|Jan avg record low F = -4.4
|Feb avg record low F = 1.3
|Mar avg record low F = 10.9
|Apr avg record low F = 24.6
|May avg record low F = 36.2
|Jun avg record low F = 47.2
|Jul avg record low F = 52.7
|Aug avg record low F = 50.7
|Sep avg record low F = 40.6
|Oct avg record low F = 29.1
|Nov avg record low F = 18.6
|Dec avg record low F = 5.7
|year avg record low F = -7.6

 | Jan record low F  = -24
 | Feb record low F  = -18
 | Mar record low F  = -7
 | Apr record low F  = 8
 | May record low F  = 22
 | Jun record low F  = 37
 | Jul record low F  = 41
 | Aug record low F  = 40
 | Sep record low F  = 27
 | Oct record low F  = 10
 | Nov record low F  = 5
 | Dec record low F  = -18
 | year record low F =
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 2.51
 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.96
 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.65
 | Apr precipitation inch = 3.83
 | May precipitation inch = 4.67
 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.71
 | Jul precipitation inch = 4.46
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.84
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.07
 | Oct precipitation inch = 2.92
 | Nov precipitation inch = 3.08
 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.33
 | year precipitation inch = 40.03
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 12.8
 | Feb precipitation days  = 10.7
 | Mar precipitation days  = 11.3
 | Apr precipitation days  = 13.1
 | May precipitation days  = 13.3
 | Jun precipitation days  = 11.6
 | Jul precipitation days  = 9.5
 | Aug precipitation days  = 9.2
 | Sep precipitation days  = 8.1
 | Oct precipitation days  = 10.4
 | Nov precipitation days  = 10.8
 | Dec precipitation days  = 12.6
 | year precipitation days = 133.4
 | Jan snow inch = 7.6
 | Feb snow inch = 6.5
 | Mar snow inch = 3.6
 | Apr snow inch = 0.4
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 1.1
 | Dec snow inch = 4.1
 | year snow inch = 23.3
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 5.2
 | Feb snow days  = 4.0
 | Mar snow days  = 1.9
 | Apr snow days  = 0.4
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.7
 | Dec snow days  = 3.0
 | year snow days = 15.2
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=iwx
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 16, 2023
|archive-date = July 28, 2022
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220728142656/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=iwx
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00120830&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 16, 2023
|archive-date = October 8, 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241008052224/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/node/6696
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 477
|1860= 760
|1870= 1131
|1880= 2354
|1890= 3589
|1900= 4479
|1910= 4987
|1920= 5391
|1930= 5074
|1940= 5417
|1950= 6076
|1960= 6238
|1970= 8297
|1980= 8705
|1990= 9020
|2000= 9536
|2010= 9897
|2020= 10308
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.indiana.edu/|title=Indiana's Census 2020 Redistricting Data Dashboard|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=August 13, 2021|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725001936/http://www.census.indiana.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web | title = U.S. Census website | url = https://www.census.gov/ | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date = 2012-12-11 | archive-date = July 9, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ | url-status = live }}</ref> there were 9,897 people, 4,112 households, and 2,585 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1202.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,532 housing units at an average density of {{convert|550.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 4,112 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> there were 9,536 people, 3,922 households, and 2,517 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,442.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,197 housing units at an average density of {{convert|635.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.65% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.34% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.24% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.79% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.69% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.35% of the population.

There were 3,922 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,416, and the median income for a family was $45,294. Males had a median income of $33,088 versus $22,018 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,118. About 6.4% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
Bluffton is home to the Bluffton Free Street Fair, the largest and oldest free street fair in Indiana.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} Starting in 1898, The Bluffton Free Street Fair was originally called the "Bluffton Street Fair and Wells County Agricultural Exposition."

The [[Stewart-Studebaker House]], [[Villa North Historic District]], and [[Wells County Courthouse (Bluffton, Indiana)|Wells County Courthouse]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>  The [[John A. Grove House]] is formerly listed.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110722.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2011-07-22|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 7/11/11 through 7/15/11|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=July 17, 2016|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401215131/https://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110722.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==
Public school districts include Bluffton Harrison Metropolitan School District<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Bluffton-Harrison MSD |url=https://www.bhmsd.org/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.bhmsd.org |language=en-US |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314093204/https://www.bhmsd.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Northern Wells Community Schools District.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Wells Community Schools |url=https://www.nwcs.k12.in.us/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.nwcs.k12.in.us |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314093214/https://www.nwcs.k12.in.us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bluffton has a [[public library]], a branch of the Wells County Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wellscolibrary.org/index.php/policies/hours-closings-cancellations/ | title=Service facilities | publisher=Wells County Public Library | access-date=15 March 2018 | archive-date=March 16, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316093527/http://www.wellscolibrary.org/index.php/policies/hours-closings-cancellations/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Media==
Bluffton is served by one newspaper, ''The Bluffton News Banner'' (Published all days of the week except Sunday).<ref>{{Cite web |last=emerson |first=xavier |title=Echo Media V3 Print Media Experts |url=https://echo-media.com/medias/details/6821/bluffton%20news-banner |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Echo Media V3 |language=en |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719054825/https://echo-media.com/medias/details/6821/bluffton%20news-banner |url-status=live }}</ref> It is available all throughout Wells County. It was founded in 1892.

==Healthcare==
Bluffton is home to Bluffton Regional Medical Center, one of Lutheran Health Networks nine locations.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

==Notable people==
* [[Adam Ballinger]], basketball player
* [[Randy Borror]], member of [[Indiana House of Representatives]]
* [[Joseph S. Dailey]], Justice of the [[Indiana Supreme Court]]
* [[Charles Clemon Deam]], botanist; born in Bluffton in 1865
* [[D'Wayne Eskridge]], [[NFL]] American football player
* [[Chandler Harnish]], quarterback, MVP of [[2010 Humanitarian Bowl]], NFL draft's 2012 "[[Mr. Irrelevant]]"; born in Bluffton
* [[Verdi Karns]], ragtime composer, born in Bluffton in 1882
* [[Don Lash]], champion long-distance runner, won 1938 [[James E. Sullivan Award]] as top amateur athlete in U.S.; born in Bluffton in 1912
* [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]], former [[U.S. Senator]] from [[New York (state)|New York]], former [[U.S. Ambassador]] to [[United Nations]], former ambassador to [[India]]
* [[Everett Scott]], former Baseball player and member of the New York Yankees first World Series championship team 1923 and member of the Boston Red Sox Hall of fame.
* [[E. J. Tackett]], professional [[Bowler (ten-pin)|ten-pin bowler]] on the [[PBA Tour]]
* [[Robert Tonner]], fashion designer and doll artist; born in Bluffton in 1952

==See also==
* [[List of sundown towns in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ci.bluffton.in.us/ City of Bluffton, Indiana website]

{{Wells County, Indiana}}
{{County Seats of Indiana}}
{{Fort Wayne Metro}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Indiana]]
[[Category:Cities in Wells County, Indiana]]
[[Category:County seats in Indiana]]
[[Category:Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Indiana]]