Red Popcorn Wagon returns to downtown

SANDUSKY — Among the more quintessential signs of summer's impending arrival: The famed Red Popcorn Wagon recently rolled out to its familiar spot in Washington Park. And, for 2021, there's a new feature: A recent donation, totaling $500, allowed city officials to purchase a new popcorn kettle. It'll be ready for the many events and festivals scheduled for this year. History lesson The Erie County Historical Society provided some background on the local landmark: When most people think of popcorn, the image of a movie theater lobby comes to mind. The aroma of popcorn and melted butter is ingrained in our memories. Yet Washington Park offers a new thought. The Red Popcorn Wagon of Sandusky has a permanent home here in Washington Park. This particular wagon, identified by its serial number, was originally purchased on June 2, 1906, by Iacgele & Dinning Co., Millersburg, Ohio. It is the No. 2 Improved and the purchase price was $200. The Red Wagon has been a Sandusky landmark in Washington Park and around the city since 1910 and was entered in the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service in 1982. The Colvin family owned and operated the Red Popcorn Wagon for many years before donating it to the city of Sandusky in 2002. John P. 'Jack' Colvin died on Aug. 19, 2017, at age 82. He was a former city commissioner. In 2003, Sandusky city employees used a flat trailer to bring the 1905 Model D wagon back to the city from The Popcorn Museum in Marion, where the wagon underwent a year-long restoration. Before its public debut at the city's Fourth of July celebration, city workers added a few finishing touches, such as adding light bulbs and attaching the "red wagon" sign to the roof. "It's a piece of Sandusky history," said Vimal Kumar, the former president of the Old House Guild of Sandusky. "It's part of the heritage. It's a beautiful piece, and I think it was worth the investment," he added. "Once it's gone, it'll never come back. So it takes a bit to keep it up, but it's worth it." The corners of the wagon roof are cut metal. The colors are bright red and yellow. The wood wheels are on the original axles. Charles Cretors of Chicago manufactured the wagon. He was the inventor of commercial peanut roasters and corn poppers. By 1900, Cretors introduced the Special, the first large horse-drawn popcorn wagon. It was an immediate success. Three variations of this wagon were created, and for the first time in 15 years, C. Cretors and Company showed a nice profit. The machines were, for the most part, still nearly custom made, holding to the Cretors tradition, meeting the specific needs of specific customers. This was also the time period that electricity was becoming the wave of the future. Charles Cretors created the first popcorn machine with an electric motor. Proceeds from past popcorn sales have benefited the United Way of Erie County. Now they support a city fund for the wagon's upkeep. Did you know: The only popping corn that the Red Popcorn Wagon uses comes from the Schlessman Seed Company, a local business? The Red Popcorn Wagon has become a much-loved symbol of Sandusky and has been featured in many works by local artists.