Thursday, August 15, 2013

Brinkmeyer Popcorn Wagon

This is Louis Brinkmeyer and his Popcorn wagon in downtown Seward in 1918. Louis was a man of many talents and began this operation following his service in the Navy during WW I. He and Elaine's Aunt Lydia were married in 1921. Louis worked as a auto mechanic, painter, and brought the Popcorn wagon out every Saturday night. He upgraded as times changed and for a number of years had a Wagon mounted on a Model T Ford Chassis. It was that setup that I remember as a youngster. For many years, Saturday night was when all the farmers came to town to do their weekly shopping. Louis' Popcorn Wagon established the festive climate for the whole area around the town square. It was parked near the 5 & 10 cent "Racket Store" where everyone would need to shop  for something. We actually bought very little popcorn since we raised it at home and popped it frequently, but I can still recall the aroma of the whole area around the Popcorn Wagon. Years later, Louis' Daughter wrote that he stayed open until after the last movie was out at the Rivoli Theater. He had the dedication to polish the Wagon to where it sparkled and made buying a 5 cent sack of popcorn an event. 

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