O-HI-O, O-HI-o, O-hi-o, OHI-o, o-HIO, OHIO !!!

The view this evening out the door of the RV along side a river in the woods near a place called Marion in the state of Ohio.

Including a family of Wooducks.

(these however, are also made of wood LOL)

On Monday earlier this week while visiting my daughter is the Chicago area she was called by the HOA and told someone complained about my RV. Even though the HOA had already given me permission to park there I didnt want her to get any more complaints so I left and headed east.

The coolness of the night felt so good after a week of 90+ temps that I contnued to drive until 9 the next morning when I arrived in Marion Ohio. I found this really nice site and here I be.

Today I found that the local Heritage House had, of all things, Prince Imperial, the horse with the longest mane. As well as displays of President Harding and a huge collection of popcorn and peanut machines.

In fact Marion Ohio claims to be the popcorn capital of the world, hosting a Popcorn Festival which happens to start next week.

So, since we're here lets begin with Prince Imperial.

Prince Imperial once belonged to Napoleon. not that Napoleon, but his Nephew, Emperor Napoleon III.

In 1868 a Marion livestock breeder named Jacob Howser traveled to France and bought the Princely horse ($3,000 in 1867 dollars) whose mane was so long it dragged on the ground and thus had to be braided. Even braided it had to be looped as you can see in the picture along with how large he was.

He was shown at fairs etc and Billed as Prince Imperial the horse with the worlds longest mane.(9ft 10 inches and bangs over 7 feet)

Upon the horse's death in 1888, Jacob had him stuffed and during the off season kept him in his living room.($7,000 in 1888 dollars)

His will said that upon his death the house was to be burned with Prince Imperial inside but instead his sons kept showing him as did thier sons.

The soda fountain area in Sweeney's Drug Store 1917

An 1870 Parlor

Including a Piano.

An 1870 Boudoir.

An 1861 boys Blue Velvet Christening dress, he lies in an 1810 Cherrywood cradle on rockers

As mentioned Marion Ohio lays claim to the Popcorn Capital of the World. If you can read it here's a little history of Popcorn which has played a large part in our history doing better in rough times.

1909 Dunbar model 950 horse drawn wagon with dry popper and peanut roaster. Only one in existence. Once owned by Paul Newman in 1984 to promote his Newmans Own Popcorn. The steam engine can be fired by boiler or compressed air.

Valued at well over $100,000 this 1927 Creators Model TT Ford concessions truck is driven every year in the Popcorn Festival Parade.

Another view of the 1927 Model TT concessions truck.

1911 R.O. Stutzman Eclipse Popper and Roaster.

1899 Creators No.1 Popcorn and Roasted Peanut wagon.

Early in the 1900's a German mixed some popcorn and peanuts, covered them with a homemade glaze and Cracker Jacks entered the popcorn market.

During the time in Germany "Cracker" was slang for cool, and Jack for man thus the name.

and in every box of Cracker Jacks you found a prize. Here's a selection of prizes from 1912 forward.

There were ver 100 various popcorn machines from the 1800's on. I cant show them all or even all of the really cool ones. So, here's one more, a smaller version

This popcorn vending machine pre-dates WWII.

Snow's General Store and Mercantile was open in the late 1800's and sold pretty much everything.

Coats were inexpensive and well made for the working man.

Old men would sit by the wood heater and play checkers, there were cannisters of penny candy that actually cost a penny. You could buy anything from fresh pickles out of the open pickle barrel at the end of the counter, to food by the bag and bushel, fresh in season fruits and vegatables, bolts of cloth, clothes, handtools, and maybe even checkers. (Oh, and shorts and flipflops on a lady? No Way)

A few year later your Mom or Grandma may have used one of these 1955 Whirlpool Washers to do the family laundry if the family had the money otherwise a tub and washboard would do.

The term "Dont throw out the baby with the bath water" came from this period when a #3 washtub was the bath, the water heated on the wood cook stove. The man of the house got first dibs, then Mom, the the boys and so on down to the baby. By the time the baby got in there it would be pretty dirty and dark thus the term.

Ohio produced 8 Presidents for this country. I agree with Rutherford Hayes as said in this poster.

However he forgot God first, Family second, then America.

I defended and shed blood for My country, Our Freedoms, and My choice to be a Christian.

While I fought for all of our Freedoms.

Dont disrespect mine and I'll respect your freedom to disagree.

Marion has a large and varied history in the history of our country from the industrial revloution, to our defense mechanism, the arts, etc.

It's a beautiful state and I am happy to spend a week learning and seeing what I can.

But bottom line.

GO ALASKA !!!!!!

If he's good enough for the GOP Convention then he's good enough for my Bloggy Thing.

Go Clint !