The donor is the great-grandson of William Everett, co-founder with Aughenbaugh, of the E. A. Co Mill in Waseca County. The Everett home, built by William's son Edward Everett, overlooking the east end of Clear Lake, was a showplace in its time, a classic Victorian-style home, it was demolished in 1958 it was an architectural and historical loss to Waseca County. This collection of photographs from Willard Everett is donated under our "Loaned to Us" program, where the donor allows WCHS to scan the images, but donor keeps possession of the original photographs. This photograph is from his postcard collection. Note from Chuck Lucas: "A popcorn wagon was operated by George and Carl Ericson (George b. May 30, 1893, WHS class of 1914; Carl b. May 30, 1899, WHS class of 1919). [There was another brother, Albert Ericson, who graduated in 1911 and who may have been involved in operating the wagon.] The boys bought the popcorn wagon while they were still in high school to earn some money and ran the popcorn wagon for many years. The Ericson boys parked their popcorn wagon uptown in front of the Ruby Theatre. Their father, John Ericson, started the first concrete company in Waseca and constructed the first sidewalks all over the city. He would not support George going to art school because he didn't think George could ever earn money as an artist. George went to art school anyway and brother Carl kept the popcorn wagon going and sent George money to go to art school and to live on. George Ericson later changed his name and became well-known as illustrator and painter, Eugene Iverd. From when? - 1951 - Operated by William 'Bill' Topel. At some point during Topel's ownership the State said the wagon could no longer be parked on State Highway 14 and the wagon was moved a block south to 2nd Avenue Southwest alongside the Rendezvous Cafe. 1951 - 1971 - Operated by Leonard B. (1921-1994) and Lois Anderson, and family, in Waseca. It was sold and left Waseca in 1973, was restored by some dedicated retirees in Mason City, Iowa, and is now located in the Meredith Willson Music Man Square, Mason City, Iowa." Waseca business: Popcorn Wagon, Didra Drug, Guyer Clothing, Hawkes, Hardware. See Accession #1.99.2445
