- Margaret D.
- Thursday, December 19, 2019
From quirky to cute, Christmas photographs in the Local History Digital Collections can help put you in the holiday spirit. Here is a selection of some of the more unusual sights of Christmases past.
Let's start with cute. Santa has always brought out the smiles in Columbia’s children, making for some super cute photo opportunities, like this one from 1956.
In 1961 someone decided it would be a great idea to bring actual reindeer to the Midlands Shopping Center on Rosewood Drive. These reindeer look like they would have preferred to stay in the north pole.
Dispensing with the reindeer all together, in 1955 Santa arrived on the rooftop of Sear’s in Five Points in a helicopter. A large and eager crowd await their chance to tell him what to bring them for Christmas below.
In 1961, Santa posed with this rather intimidating Polar Bear at the C&S National Bank in downtown Columbia. The children look a little nervous and I don't blame them.
These boys were a little too enthusiastic about their new toy guns in 1957. I guess you don’t mess with Santa.
In 1959, old ladies at Still Hopes knew how to have fun at Christmas, proof that a little lacy underthing is always a good gift.
The holidays are a great time to get out and enjoy the city. These angels and shepherds decided to do a little bowling at Star Lanes on Assembly Street in 1959.
When shopping got to be too much in 1970, this group took a load off and ate Chick-fil-A in the brand-new Dutch Square Mall. This scene captures the true Christmas experience of many from my generation.
Christmas decorations on Main Street say it best. I hope you enjoy your holidays this year.