The "Treat on a Stick" Story
It was an ordinary day. Passing the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania located in Strasburg, PA when I noticed something really unusual. There parked in front of the museum was an old white Ford truck. Not just any truck, but a Good Humor truck. The 1967 truck belongs to Mike who parks his truck in front of the museum on most weekends to sell novelty ice cream products just as the original Good Humor Man did back in the early 20s. The Good Humor company started in Youngstown, Ohio and became a fixture in American pop-culture and at its peak in the 1950s had about 2,000 trucks such as the one I was looking at today. After I parked the car and headed to the truck I noticed the traditional uniform that was worn by all Good Humor salesmen. The hat with
the Good Humor badge, the black bow-tie with white dots and the belt money-changer. On the front of the truck, above the windshield, is the traditional row of four bells that he can ring as he makes his rounds around the neighborhood. Mike totally restored his truck to the condition that it was in 1967. Not only did he restore this Ford, but a few others that he sold to other "salesmen" such as him
self. In 1976 the Good Humor company decided to sell their fleet of trucks and some people bought a truck to go into business for themselves. There are supposedly less than 100 Good Humor trucks still in existence today. Mike told me he knows of about 20 of them, some of which he restored himself. Mike sells 22 varieties of treats, most of which are on a st
ick. He does sell Klondike Bars, Sundae Cones and Chocolate and Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches, but the rest of the treats are of the popsicle variety. I bought my favorite, an Orange Creamsicle and after giving me my change, Mike did the traditional Good Humor salute. While I was there Mike sold a few other treats, but posed
for twice as many photos as he sold treats. Neat guy who brings back memories to the older crowd such as me. Mike takes great pride in representing the history of the Good Humor salesman and donates a portion of his sales to the railroad museum. As to what is Mike's favorite treat, the original Good Humor ice cream bar on a stick. What else could it be? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Mike showing off his white uniform with the Good Humor badge on his hat and his black bow-tie with white dots, Mike's money changer, the bells on the top of the Good Humor truck, Mike with his selections of treats and Mike getting my Orange Creamsicle from the back of his truck.
It was an ordinary day. Passing the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania located in Strasburg, PA when I noticed something really unusual. There parked in front of the museum was an old white Ford truck. Not just any truck, but a Good Humor truck. The 1967 truck belongs to Mike who parks his truck in front of the museum on most weekends to sell novelty ice cream products just as the original Good Humor Man did back in the early 20s. The Good Humor company started in Youngstown, Ohio and became a fixture in American pop-culture and at its peak in the 1950s had about 2,000 trucks such as the one I was looking at today. After I parked the car and headed to the truck I noticed the traditional uniform that was worn by all Good Humor salesmen. The hat with
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