Iowa Stories

As recently as the 1950s, carnivals and state fairs had what were called “kissing booths.” They were occupied by young girls who would stand in an open window and lean on the sill. Passerby were charged a fee to kiss the young lady and this earned money for charity. For a price of about thirty cents (close to $3.00 in today’s money), a man or boy could come up to her window and get a kiss from the girl in return. Usually,...