Lon Crannell popcorn wagon

On Oct. 19, 1922, Eglon (Lon) Crannell signed a town property lease with Mrs. Frances McDonald for a strip of ground joining the McDonald building just west of Bailey Furniture Store.

The said strip piece was to have an 8-foot frontage and 10-foot north and south to be used for a popcorn wagon or anything else in the wagon not objectionable to Mrs. McDonald.

The rent was due on the first day of each month and commenced in September at $3 a month and $2 a month after that until April when rent went back to $3 a month.

Mr. Crannell and his son operated the popcorn wagon and arranged to do business on a large scale, including in the business activities service at the “Q” station during train times. Written on the window of the stand were the words “gum, candy, peanuts and popcorn.”

On Oct. 31, Crannell entered into a lease between himself and George McClure to lease the popcorn stand on the north side of the square from October to May 1 at $5 per month. McClure was to pay the rent on the ground at $5 per month and pay the light bill.

Crannell later moved to Franklin Township and the Weldon area. He was living on a farm near Minburn, Iowa, when he passed away in 1943.

Keith’s Barber Shop today is west of the above mentioned buildings.