Ewalt, Tom

As a young man, Tom joined his father in the family business. Tom’s father Al came to Fillmore County from Indiana and settled here in 1884. He was engaged in the plumbing, well drilling and windmill trade. Father and son built the well drilling machines they used in their business.

Tom and Helen were industrious and had many varied enterprises over the years.

One of their first was started after Tom made a small car for his young son in 1934. Soon he built another and traveled around Fillmore County to various events where 10 cents could buy a ride in the small drive-it-yourself car. The following year Ewalt Amusement Company expanded when Tom built more children's rides. They later purchased a ferris wheel, merry-go-round and several kiddie rides to entertain children. A clown and various animals performed on a stage that folded down from a semi-truck. North 9th street was a fun place to be each spring. Before the season started, the Ewalts would assemble the rides and stage and give free rides.

Probably the most unusual business was the one Tom and Helen started in 1943. They named it the Bell Bros. Circus. It began as a small one-ring circus, but grew to a three-ring with animals and even an elephant named Ena. Her home was at 241 North 9th Street where she was often visited by children of all ages. The circus had 14 trucks and traveled from Texas to Canada.

In 1946 they purchased the Sunbeam Theater which they later renamed The Rialto.

Tom built a filling station and cafe on Highway 81 north of Geneva in 1953. It was later known as “The Hill.”

Tom also had a car dealership and sold motorhomes.

Tom enjoyed working on antique cars, building anything mechanical and organizing community parades. He was always a showman and was involved in many civic organizations.