Geneva in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Popcorn Ball
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel
1. The Popcorn Ball Marker
Center caption
Those who remember the Popcorn Ball recall its exterior as stucco over some type of wooden frame. It also was called the "snowball." The photograph below places it to the west of the building that houses the Visitor's Bureau today. The identities of the people in the photo and dates of the images were not recorded.
Right caption
BICYCLES were a popular mode of transportation on The Strip and at least two businesses offered rentals. The Popcorn Ball rented bicycles for Shupp & Shupp, located behind the ball. The Lomas Original Bicycle Shop had a long run. F.W. Lomas owned it, but Roy Lockhart leased the business, which had nearly 100 bicycles to rent.
Those who remember the Popcorn Ball recall its exterior as stucco over some type of wooden frame. It also was called the "snowball." The photograph below places it to the west of the building that houses the Visitor's Bureau today. The identities of the people in the photo and dates of the images were not recorded.
Right caption
BICYCLES were a popular mode of transportation on The Strip and at least two businesses offered rentals. The Popcorn Ball rented bicycles for Shupp & Shupp, located behind the ball. The Lomas Original Bicycle Shop had a long run. F.W. Lomas owned it, but Roy Lockhart leased the business, which had nearly 100 bicycles to rent.
Owner William O'Neil sold popcorn, soda, candy and other snacks from this orb, which "old-timers recall as being made from stucco on a wood frame. No one recalls when the ball disappeared or what became of it.
The precedent for selling popcorn and peanuts to vacationers was set decades earlier. In 1914 John Michel moved a portable house from a timber lot in Lake Co. to the entrance of Buckeye Beach. Charles Myers, the village constable, leased the building and sold popcorn, peanuts and refreshments there (photo of Buckeye Beach at right).
Erected by Ashtabula County Civic Development Corporation, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Sponsored by Adventure Zone Family Fun Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 41° 51.591′ N, 80° 57.326′ W. Marker is in Geneva, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. It can be reached from Lake Road East (Ohio
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Shady Beach (a few steps from this marker); Gas Stations (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe's Fun House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pergola Gardens (about 700 feet away); Pera's Kiddieland (about 700 feet away); Olympic Midway (about 800 feet away); Fascination (about 800 feet away); The New Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Geneva.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel
2. The Popcorn Ball Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
