By BELLADORA MARIA AHUMADA
AntiqueWeek Correspondent

HOLLAND, Ohio — For more than 100 years Holcomb & Hoke Manufacturing operated in Indianapolis making such diverse items as jukeboxes, bowling alleys - and in the last few decades - accordion partitions.

But, for collectors, one of the best known parts of the business was when the firm produced Butter-Kist popcorn machines and peanut roasters.

Recently the firm closed and its assets were liquidated. But, as one chapter of the firm’s life closed, collectors of the future will benefit. Jim Fentress, owner and operator of the J.H. Fentress Antique Popcorn Museum located in Holland, Ohio, purchased many historical gems from Holcomb & Hoke.

Fentress is saddened to see the firm close. “I hate to see such a historic company close its door without some acknowledgement,“ said Fentress.

Fentress knows a lot about the company. He features their rich history on his website along with photographs and information about his museum, which is packed with popcorn memorabilia.
“We will be purchasing all of the historical papers that included original advertising, company correspondence with salesmen. And believe it or not some of the original popcorn machine blueprints“ said Fentress. “Best of all we will be adding to our collection the original Butter-Kist popcorn machine prototype dating back to 1912.”

“Holcomb & Hoke  also manufactured the first portable and permanent bowling alleys named Box Ball,“ said Fentress. “In addition they were pioneers in the jukebox industry with the Electramuse line of jukeboxes. Homer Capehart, a former Indiana senator, was their sales manager. They also put in the first public address music system at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

Prior to 1913, popcorn was made in small handheld poppers over a kerosene burner and sold from carts along the street. Holcomb and Hoke, in collaboration with engineer and inventor Dan Talbert, changed all that with the introduction of an indoor/outdoor machine that would drop raw corn into the popping plate, pop the corn, discharge the popped kernels from the popper, sift out unpopped kernels while buttering those that had popped, then deposit the finished product in the bottom of the cabinet; all automatically and in full view of onlookers.

The J.H. Fentress Antique Popcorn Museum houses one of the largest and most diverse collections of popcorn-related memorabilia in existence.

Currently, the Museum houses 25 Butter-Kist Popcorn machines and peanut roasters plus two Kist-Wich sandwich carts. More than 60 Butter-Kist advertisements and several machine manuals have been added to the collection. Also available for viewing are more than 250 old popcorn boxes, 125 popcorn tins, 100 popcorn bags (both cellophane and burlap) and numerous other popcorn-related items.

The museum is open to the public by appointment. Visit www.antiquepopcorn museum.com for more details.