Browse Items (443 total)

Frying' Pan Jack picture frame

Photo shows Fryin' Pan Jack in 1973 at Albert Lee (Alfred Lee), MN railroad yard. The chip art frame was made by a hobo. Tramp art is a style of woodworking which emerged in America the latter half of the nineteenth century. Some of tramp art's…

Cigarette box

Color description: orange, geometric shapes and patterns

Matchstick house

Delicate tramp art made from used matches and glue. Artist created a representation of a slave house build on wealthy plantation.

Hobo bottlecap figure

Tramp art, small figure of hobo with arms made from bottlecaps. Small box of mismatch items is a part of the hobo figure.

Inquiry 1973 for hobo king

List of 103 questions given to candidates for hobo king. Used to determine authenticity of hoboing.

"How It All Began" pamphlet

Brief history of the Britt Hobo Convetion and Tourists Union 63, beginning in 1900.

King of hoboes buried near tracks

Printed newspaper article announcing the death of Mountain Dew. Page frayed, very delicate.

Interview with Connecticut Tootsie

Conversation with Connecticut Tootsie about her experiences hoboing, first time freight hopping, being elected hobo queen, and her involvement with the Hobo Convention in Britt.

Interview with Bazzman and K-bar

Featuring newly elected hobo king, Bazzman, seasoned rider K-bar, and traveler Sloth. Discussion of Bazzman's life on the road, his work organizing the young riders, including keeping count of the last remaining hoboes who are freight hopping.…

Interview with Sunrise, K-bar, Angie Angel, and IoWegian Rick

Discussion of Sunrise's experiences freight hopping, traveling, and being elected hobo queen. K-bar's account of his own hobo experiences, in addition to hobo history in Britt, the state of Iowa, and the greater Midwest. Angie Angel's take on life,…