Nickerson Farms - Ivan J. Nickerson established beloved roadside stop along major U.S. highways

One of the distinctive red-barn-style Nickerson Farms locations that became a familiar sight along American highways during the 1960s and 1970s. Founded by Eldon entrepreneur Ivan J. “I.J.” Nickerson, the chain grew from a single Missouri operation into one of the Midwest's best-known roadside restaurant and travel-stop businesses. Courtesy of Jeremy P. Amick.

In the 1950s, Ivan James “I.J.” Nickerson was an established entrepreneur who chose Eldon, Missouri, as the base of operations for many of his business ventures. One of the most notable was the roadside restaurant chain inspired by the former Stuckey’s Pecan Shoppe. Known as Nickerson Farms, these businesses were, much like Stuckey’s, situated along interstate and major highways throughout much of the Midwest.

Nickerson Farms became a roadside stop and offered travelers an array of unique and full-service experiences. Such conveniences included a full room dining area, spacious restrooms, fuel, well stocked gift shops and on-site beehives from which honey was collected and sold at the stores.

Born in Nebraska in 1908, Nickerson came of age on his parents’ farm in Daviess County, Missouri. He later attended Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville before embarking upon a host of business ventures.

“I.J. Nickerson and associates are the owners and operators of the Old Nick Seed Co., which specializes in hybrid seed corn, besides carrying a line of allied products which have to do with the production of corn,” reported the Atchison County Mail on February 28, 1947.

The newspaper noted of his other business, “The Nickerson Maytag, which has long handled household appliances, is showing one of the most extensive stocks of furniture in this part of the country, together with electrical and gas household appliances.”

Continuing to grow his businesses in the vicinity of Rockport near St. Joseph, Nickerson was on a trip to South Dakota in the late 1940s when he visited a successful roadside reptile garden. This soon inspired him to purchase property three miles south of Eldon along the bustling junction of U.S. Highways 54 and 52. 

He opened the Ozark Reptile Gardens in 1952, benefiting from the tourism traffic from the nearby Lake of the Ozarks. A short distance away were the El Rancho Resort and Stark Caverns, creating a cluster of businesses seeking to profit from area tourism. Additionally, I.J. relocated his family to the Eldon area and later turned over ownership and operation of the reptile business to his son, Max Allen Nickerson.

Always seeking additional opportunities, I.J. Nickerson entered a business relationship with W.S. Stuckey Sr., founder of Stuckey’s roadside stops. In May 1957, Nickerson built a 62x42-foot building on the north side of the reptile gardens under the Stuckey’s name.

“Grand opening is scheduled this weekend at Stuckey’s Pecan Shoppe on Hwy. 54 some 3-1/2 miles south of Eldon,” noted The Advertiser on May 23, 1957. “A new Sinclair service station will also be operated in conjunction with the candy store.”

Having built the first Stuckey’s west of the Mississippi, Nickerson later experienced some business disagreements with Mr. Stuckey and made the decision to cut ties with the company since he wanted more of a sit-down style restaurant atmosphere rather than fast food. He then branded the Eldon location as Nickerson Farms.

“The big but beautiful and modern ‘Nickerson Farms’ opened auspiciously Saturday on Interstate 44 west of here,” explained the Rolla Daily News in an article printed December 16, 1963. “Mr. Nickerson got started with his big idea at Eldon, expanded to Springfield, Kansas City, Columbia and now here.”

Embracing a farm theme, the buildings were designed to look like a large red barn. Many of the stores were designed with a 100-seat capacity restaurant, fuel islands and offered to customers a variety of candies, jams, honeys, smoked meats, souvenirs and similar products.

With the help of his wife Ruby, Nickerson was able to grow the chain. By late summer of 1965, plans were being made for a total of 14 stores to be opened the following summer. The chain grew to 33 locations by September 1967, with Nickerson operating under the business name of Nickerson & Nickerson, Inc., headquartered in a building in Eldon.

Although the Nickerson Farms chain disappeared decades ago, one reminder of its success survives in Eldon. The former Nickerson & Nickerson headquarters building still stands and has been repurposed as part of the Eldon Hospitality Complex. Today, visitors enter the building to experience Capone’s, a speakeasy-style restaurant whose atmosphere is a far cry from the corporate offices once housed there, yet serves as a reminder of the community where I.J. Nickerson directed one of the nation’s best-known roadside restaurant chains.

“Experienced, motoring travelers in the central part of the United States have discovered that the Nickerson Farms restaurants offer them a most excellent selection of food at down to earth family prices,” explained The Indianapolis Star on February 22, 1970.

“Not only does it get its share of travelers,” the newspaper noted of its new Indiana location, “but the folks from miles around have discovered that they too can enjoy the fine food and hospitality of this fine restaurant.”

Expansion continued while Nickerson offered franchise opportunities to many investors throughout the United States. Eventually, the company grew to approximately five dozen locations. But in the early 1980s, competition from other restaurants and convenience stores coupled with a sagging economy created financial difficulties for Nickerson. The glorious rise that had taken place in the last 20 years came to a halt in the mid-1980s when Nickerson Farms filed for bankruptcy. Soon after, the remaining locations were closed, many of which were opened under other business names.

I.J. Nickerson continued in his entrepreneurial spirit and operated other businesses throughout the years including Interstate Sign Company and Nickerson Stove Company. He was 90 years old when he passed away at a care facility in Green Valley, Arizona, on November 15, 1998.

“Tough times never last, but tough people do,” said televangelist Robert Schuller.

Resilience appeared to have been a defining characteristic of Nickerson, who worked tirelessly to build businesses and boldly explored new markets. The remnants of his efforts have all but faded from the Eldon community and the interstate highways, yet for a moment in history, his name was attached to one of the most recognized roadside stops in the country.

Jeremy P. Ämick is author of the historical compilations “Moments on the Moreau” and “Beyond the Moreau.”