Iowa History Daily: April 28 - Canyon Kids Corner

Iowa History Daily: On April 28, 1953, “Canyon Kid’s Corner,” a popular Sioux City-based children’s television program, went on the air. Hosted by Jim Henry, who worked on the show for 32 years, the show taught kids “how to live right" through principles like respecting one's parents and kindness to one's friends.

Jim Henry, originally  from Brooklyn, moved to Sioux City after he served there during World War II. Henry played a cowboy, a difficult concept given his Brooklyn accent. He wore a cowboy hat and tie, and also explained his accent came from “the canyons created by the tall buildings in New York City.” 

15 to 20 children from Sioux City appeared on Canyon Kid's Corner,  often for their birthday,  or sometimes with friends or Scout troop mates. Each Tuesday featured pets of the show's guests. Canyon Kid's Corner also held a drawing contest every Wednesday, and children gave performances every Thursday in dance, song, and music.

Originally a daily afternoon show, the program moved to 7:30 a.m. for a while before the show again moved to Sundays at noon in 1978. When the station changed ownership during 1985, the decades-long run of “Canyon Kid’s Corner” came to an end. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar