Odebolt in Sac County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Odebolt • Popcorn Capital of the World
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2017
1. Odebolt • Popcorn Capital of the World Marker
1918 to 1963
August Petersmeyer Specialized
in popcorn from 1889-1918
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 42° 18.785′ N, 95° 14.74′ W. Marker is in Odebolt, Iowa, in Sac County. Marker is on North Des Moines Street (Fox Avenue) (County Highway M43) just north of Market Street (330th Street) (State Highway 175), on the left when traveling north. Marker is mounted on east side of long barn. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Odebolt IA 51458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Odebolt World War I Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Odebolt Centennial Time Capsule (approx. ¼ mile away); Iowa Rural Schools History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Slip Scraper (approx. 8½ miles away); In Memory of John Platt (approx. 11.3 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Odebolt — The Popcorn Center of the World. Excerpt:
As more and more farmers in this territory began to plant popcorn, buyers discovered that the(Submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)quality of the corn from Odebolt was better than any they were able to buy elsewhere. They encouraged its production, as a result, and at one time there was more of the corn raised within a 15-mile radius of Odebolt than in the rest of the world put together. Millions of pounds were shipped from Odebolt elevators each year, going to all parts of the world. In 1938, three nationally known popcorn companies do a large business here: J. L. Bruce Popcorn Co., Albert Dickinson Popcorn Co., F. W. Rueckheim & Bro. (Cracker Jack)
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2. The Cracker Jack Company. Excerpt:
The development of the consumption of popcorn closely follows the history and development of the Cracker Jack business. The firm of F.W. Rueckhelm & Bros. was established in Chicago in 1872 for the purpose of manufacturing popcorn specialties. In 1918, in order to secure popcorn to meet processing demands, a popcorn plant in Odebolt owned by August Petersmeyer was purchased. In 1922 the corporate name was changed to The Cracker Jack Company.(Submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2017
2. Odebolt • Popcorn Capital of the World Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,743 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
