POPPER (THE) - Revision history

Randylyon at 00:16, 11 November 2025

2025-11-11T00:16:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:16, 11 November 2025
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	[[Image:popper4.png\|left\|thumb\|300px\| Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45737582684/]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.		[[Image:popper4.png\|left\|thumb\|300px\| Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45737582684/]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.

	The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE ~~FOR MEN~~]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House acquired it.		The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House acquired it.

	[[Image:hird.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.		[[Image:hird.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.

Randylyon at 12:17, 19 June 2020

2020-06-19T12:17:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:17, 19 June 2020
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	[[Image:popper4.png\|left\|thumb\|300px\| Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45737582684/]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.		[[Image:popper4.png\|left\|thumb\|300px\| Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45737582684/]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.

	The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House ~~was~~ acquired.		The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House acquired it.

	[[Image:hird.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.		[[Image:hird.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.

	The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		The 1968 through 1972 '''Dubuque City Directory''' listed 999 Main.

	---		---

Randylyon at 01:45, 26 November 2018

2018-11-26T01:45:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:45, 26 November 2018
Line 4:		Line 4:
	The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.		The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.

	[[Image:hird.png\|~~left~~\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.		[[Image:hird.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.

	The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

Randylyon at 01:45, 26 November 2018

2018-11-26T01:45:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:45, 26 November 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:popper.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Rikky Hird and one of the last bags of popcorn from "The Popper." Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.		[[Image:popper.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Rikky Hird and one of the last bags of popcorn from "The Popper." Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
			[[Image:popper4.png\|left\|thumb\|300px\| Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45737582684/]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.

	The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.		The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.

Randylyon at 02:08, 17 September 2018

2018-09-17T02:08:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:08, 17 September 2018
Line 3:		Line 3:
	The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.		The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.

	[[Image:hird.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at University of O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.		[[Image:hird.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at the corner of University and O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.

	The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

Randylyon at 02:07, 17 September 2018

2018-09-17T02:07:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:07, 17 September 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:popper.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Rikky Hird and one of the last bags of popcorn from "The Popper." Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.		[[Image:popper.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Rikky Hird and one of the last bags of popcorn from "The Popper." Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES (THE)]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.

	The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.		The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.

	[[Image:hird.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at University of O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.		[[Image:hird.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at University of O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN'S HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.

	The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

Randylyon at 02:06, 17 September 2018

2018-09-17T02:06:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:06, 17 September 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	POPPER (THE). The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		[[Image:popper.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Rikky Hird and one of the last bags of popcorn from "The Popper." Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]POPPER (THE). On October 26, 1973, the era of the "popcorn stand" in Dubuque came to an end. George Hird, acquired the stand in 1965 and built a business catering to secretaries, businessmen, students, and bus patrons. The [[FISCHER COMPANIES]] which owned the land announced the property would be blacktopped for parking.

			The parking lot erased the final trace of popcorn stands that dated back to the 1900s. James Browne operated a stand at 8th and Main from the turn of the century for more than twenty years. Ralph "Brownie" Browne, his son, inherited the business from his father and sold popcorn at Ninth and Main, generally under the iron steps of the Burden Building which was replaced by [[GRAHAM'S STYLE STORE FOR MEN]]. The stand was such a familiar sight that the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY]] wished to store it at the [[HAM HOUSE]] and use it every Fourth of July. Unfortunately the stand was taken to the landfill before the Ham House was acquired.

			[[Image:hird.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|George Hird. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]...enter George Hird and his wife, Rosemary, who operated Hird's Tavern and Snack Shack at University of O'Hagen, later the location of [[MCGOVERN HARDWARE]]. The Hirds enjoyed having large bowls of popcorn available at the bar. In 1965 George purchased and converted an old bus that had first opened at 10th and Main as a popcorn stand in 1945. Hird expanded the business with the addition of caramel and popcorn balls. In 1969 he opened Popper II on Kennedy Road. Rikky Hird, a junior at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] operated the business when his father became ill, but recognized the problems the business faced and sold Popper II.

			The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

			---

			Source:

			Fyten, David, "Downtown Popcorn Era Ends," ''Telegraph-Herald'', October 28, 1973, p. 23

	[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]		[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]

Randylyon at 01:52, 21 October 2012

2012-10-21T01:52:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 21 October 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	POPPER (THE). The 1968 ~~and 1970~~ ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		POPPER (THE). The 1968 through 1972 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

	[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]		[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]

Randylyon at 01:52, 30 June 2012

2012-06-30T01:52:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 30 June 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	POPPER (THE). The 1968 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.		POPPER (THE). The 1968 and 1970 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

	[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]		[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]

Randylyon: New page: POPPER (THE). The 1968 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main. Category: Popcorn Vendors

2012-04-26T14:41:54Z

New page: POPPER (THE). The 1968 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main. Category: Popcorn Vendors

New page

POPPER (THE). The 1968 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 999 Main.

[[Category: Popcorn Vendors]]