By JENNIFER MOONSONG
Glasgow News 1
The Hoodoo Wagon is its early days, with the original owners gathered around. Circa 1908.
Submitted
Coming out of the 1800s and into the 1900s, was an interesting time in the history of Glasgow in Barren County. The county was established and it was growing. By the mid-1900s, it was practically unrecognizable from its meager beginnings.
In the early 1900s, one interesting establishment in Glasgow was known as the “Hoodoo Wagon.”
The wagon, a primitive version of a food truck one might find at a carnival or fare, but with an established location.
A photo of the wagon provided courtesy of Ed Jolly to the Barren County Historical Society, portrays a clear image of the wagon in the early days. It was drawn by a team of horses, and had four wheels like a stage coach or buggy. It was vested with windows that opened, so that food could be served through them. Later it was vested with an awning. In many ways, the wagon was ahead of its time.
In the early days, it moved from location to location like a modern day food truck. However, complaints ensued. Eventually, a permit was granted for it to have a more stationary location.
Beginning in 1926, the Hoodoo Wagon sat at the corner of N. Race and Main Str., where JC Penny’s was located for many years. It faced the courthouse yard.
The wagon was owned by Doc Cooksey, and the girls who worked on the wagon were Amy and Mimi Cooksey, his daughters. Cecil Cooksey, his son, also worked there. It was purchased by Rachel Hicks in the 1920s.
According to passed down history, written by Woodford Gardner and Cecil Goode, taken in part from the written history of the county by the Gorin family, the food served from the hoodoo wagon was simple and easy to carry. Hot and cold sandwiches, and simple soups were amongst the menu items, with a limited daily variety.
Once Hicks, known as “Aunt Rachel,” bought the wagon, she served burgers and fries, and occasionally also served fried chicken.
The Hoodoo Wagon closed in 1935.
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