A series of pictures featuring holiday decorations in Sandusky’s Washington
Park in 1950 is found in the
historical collections of the Sandusky
Library Archives
Research Center.
The Industrial Nut Corporation sponsored this Santa Claus decoration.
A large group of singing carolers is seen here in front of
faux stained glass windows.
Hinde and Dauch sponsored this candy cane display.
Rudolph and a sleigh full of gifts were sponsored by the
Lyman Boat Company.
You can see the Ohio Edison office in the Odd Fellows building behind this large candle
display in Washington
Park.
The New Departure Division of General Motors sponsored this
display of singers.
Looking through microfilmed issues of the Sandusky Register Star News from 1950,
we learn that at the Sears store in downtown Sandusky, shoppers could purchase a recording
of their child’s conversation with the store’s Santa Claus. An ad from Cooper Chevrolet on Cleveland Avenue stated that the new 1951
Chevrolet was “America’s
largest and finest low-priced car.” The Jaycees encouraged everyone to put a
light in every window for the holiday season. Bing’s Furniture sold a wide
variety of small and large appliances for the holiday season. The Frankel’s
store offered a lay-away service, offering to “keep secrets safe” until the
week of Christmas, and the J.C. Penney store in downtown Sandusky was selling
men’s bomber jackets for $8.90. Herman’s Furniture advertised Lane hope chests
for “a gift that starts the home.”
What GREAT memories you've brought back to my mind. I was 14 in 1950, and I remember what a vibrant active place downtown Sandusky was in those years. I remember the large panels that had stood throughout the war years in Washington Park, facing the post office, that listed the names of Sandusky boys you were in the service. Park decorations were muted in those years, but the late 1940's and early 50's were years to celebrate, and the decorations in the Park that you included in your posting surely reflected that spirit.
ReplyDeleteThose panels, acknowledging the names of all local members of the armed forces of the war years, were actually removed quite abruptly; more or less in mid WW conflict. Nationwide, it was recognized that the names of those killed in action was so great that national moral was affected. By fiat all of those panels, nationwide, were removed; virtually overnight. I remember asking my parents why "the signs" were gone. At the time they didn't know. Now we do. I had a couple cousins' and an uncle's name up there.
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