Frank "Pappy" Fox collection

Collection — Communal Collections Box: 2, Placement: 13

Identifier: MSP 231

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1924 - 1999
Creation: Majority of material found within 1920 - 1940s
Other: Date acquired: 07/06/2017

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

Collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Copyright held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Biographical or Historical Information

Frank G. Fox was the originator of the idea of a Sweet Shop in the Purdue Memorial Union and had been the mananger from 1925-1959. He started to work in the Union on January 1, 1925 as a barber. He became its manager, went on to the Sweet Shop, and for many years also handled various other facilities and duties in the Union, including the bowling alley. It has been said that "Pappy" served up sound advice and sympathy for student problems with his coffee, sandwiches and sodas, In return, the students showed great pride and respect for the Sweet Shop. Fox planned the original menu for the Sweet Shop which was never changed under his management. He developed his own chocolate sauce and blend of coffee. The early Sweet Shop's favorite and standard snack was a ham salad sandwich. "Pappy" dispensed 150 gallons of coffee per day and seven 40-gallon barrels of Coke™ per week. Everyone who worked with Mr. and Mrs. Fox saw their sincere interest and devotion to the student body. Many "Sweet Shop Coke™ dates" developed into romances under the happy guidance of "Pappy" and "Mammy" Fox. Fox was an honorary member of the Reamers Club on campus. Fox passed in 1966.

Note written by Mary Sego