“A mile south of Acme.” That’s what we would tell someone when describing where we lived, and later, where we grew up. Nowadays, hardly anyone knows the reference, but up until 20 to 30 years ago it was a landmark that many had heard of.

Acme was a spot on the road when I was growing up on the family farm. Located on a gravel road about half way between Riceville and Elma, Iowa, in Howard County, Acme consisted of a country store and tavern in one building and a blacksmith shop with the owner’s home on the opposite end of the intersection. A railroad ran next to the store. In its heyday, Acme was a stop on the Wapsie-Great Western Line and boasted a hotel, grain elevator, other stores and even a school.

Living only a mile from the store, my family found it to be a handy resource for those staples needed for everyday living. We usually shopped in Elma, a larger town about six miles south of our farm, but for the occasional and unexpected needs, a quick one mile trip to Acme was very handy. Mom usually made the drive on the gravel road after loading my brothers and I into the car. No car seats or seat belts, just the argument over who got to sit by the window and the front passenger door. Sometimes the trip was only for a single item, like sugar or flour, because we had run out and didn’t have enough for Mom to finish that second batch of cookies or bread. Sometimes Dad would make the trip, especially if he needed something at Harry Ring’s, the blacksmith, or for a smaller grocery order.

There was one small counter for the grocery and tavern business. Next to the counter was an old wooden bench, and another bench directly across from the counter. Patrons would sit in either bench, or on one of the few chairs available, discussing the current problem of the day while grocery store customers brought their items to the counter. No shopping carts here. My brothers and I would hang around the Coke machine and ice cream cooler. But these deserve their own story. In the meantime, put a penny into the peanut machine on the counter, slide the metal handle across the front of the bowl and collect a handful of salted peanuts. What a treat!