1930s Lincoln loved novelty food stands. Our favorite was the root beer stand that was shaped like root beer, but if root beer had eyes and hair and could smile.
Who doesn’t enjoy an ice cold mug of root beer served from the enormous smile of a giant, anthropomorphic mug of root beer? Seen here in 1931, the Mug root beer stand was located near 33rd and O Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. The stand was designed to look like a smiling mug of root beer complete with eyes, nose and teeth. Spindles on the roof even appear to depict hair.
Novelty food and drink stands were popular during the mid-20th century. Lincoln also had the Smith Root Beer Stand the shaped like a Dutch windmill at the corner of Cotner and O Streets.
Nebraska had many other fun, wacky places to grab a soda, enjoy a hamburger or indulge in ice cream. Please share memories of your favorites in the comments!
