Snapshots of History: Mount Ayr’s Popcorn Stand

By Editor | June 26, 2024 |

Mount Ayr’s Popcorn Stand about 1958.

By Mike Avitt
Thanks to Bill Stringham for suggesting this topic and thanks to Donna (Hartman) Jones for the photo and some info.
I didn’t think I would find much information on the Popcorn Stand, but I did.
The Popcorn Stand was on the east side of the Mount Ayr square in the vacant lot (114 S. Taylor) between the Simpson building and the Timby block.
The first mention I found of the business was way back in 1938. In May 1939, Darrell Johnston, owner and operator of the Popcorn Stand, advertised a croquet court on the lot behind the stand. A game could be played for five cents.
There was fresh buttered popcorn, roasted peanuts, candy bars, and cold drinks. The November 30, 1939 Record-News announces Darrell Johnston and his son Billy have purchased a Bungalow-style, all-electric popcorn stand for the next season.
Things really got swinging in spring of 1941 when an open air dance floor was offered to dancers for ten cents. The dance floor took the place of the croquet court and dancers could select their own music for an additional 5 cents. I assume the music came from a phonograph.
So popular was the dance floor, a large group of local business owners sponsored the dances for free except on Saturday night when admission remained ten cents. Caramel corn also made its appearance on the menu.
At the end of the 1947 season, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Johnston sold the enterprise to Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Graham. In September 1953, Eddie Graham placed an ad in the Record-News putting the Popcorn Stand up for sale. I believe Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Hartman were the next owners.
This week’s photo shows Donna (Hartman) Jones on the left, Connie (Fletchall) Worthington facing the camera, and an unknown lad on the right completely focused on his popcorn order.
That’s Kay (Hartman) Rothert in the booth. There is a Mount Ayr High School football schedule in the window, but I can’t read the year.
In 1960, a horseshoe pitching contest was held in the lot behind the stand and in March 1963, Ivan Hartman placed an ad offering the popcorn stand and equipment for sale.
I did not see mention of the business again. I don’t know what happened to it.
So, I have a little space left to tell you about Hugh’s Popcorn.
Hugh and Kay Terwilliger operated a food trailer called Hugh’s Popcorn as early as October 1985. This popular food trailer could be found at sporting events, estate sales, celebrations, and events of all varieties. The last appearance I found for “Hugh’s Popcorn” was in the April 2, 1998 Mount Ayr Record-News.
The Popcorn Stand and Hugh’s Popcorn are gone, but we have our memories and a handful of photos.