Jefferson County Historical Society submitted the following article:
(PHOTO: Main Street merchants typically decorate their storefronts for the holidays, anticipating an increase in retail sales.)
Submitted by Carole Briggs
DECK THE HALLS!
Several years ago, thanks to the efforts of Ann Sarvey, who remembered the wonderful Christmas seasons of her childhood, new outdoor Christmas decorations were added to Historic Brookville’s Main Street. But even before Ann’s childhood, Main Street was “ablaze with Christmas lights and evergreens to greet Santa.”
The holidays of 1930 followed six months of precarious finances in the entire country, yet the Brookville Chamber of Commerce determined it would provide a wonderful Main Street experience “no matter what.”
The Chamber saw that “four good-sized trees” embellished each intersection. Evergreen arches crossed the intersection at Main and Pickering Streets. That year the Brookville American partnered with the Associated Gas and Electric Company to sponsor the annual Christmas Lighting Contest for residences. Cash prizes were offered to those folks who employed “light… in the effort to spread Christmas cheer about their own home and neighborhood.”
By the beginning of the 1940s, a fledgling association of “young Brookville businessmen” had taken responsibility for the holiday sales promotion.
According to the Jeffersonian Democrat, in spite of the thundercloud of war looming in Europe, they enhanced six blocks of Main Street with lights and decorations. They covered the center posts that once made driving hazardous with pine boughs and hung large stars overhead at two intersections.
These businessmen also maintained evening hours between the fifth and Christmas Eve and claimed their shelves were well-stocked. They were, however, “predicting shortages next year.” Two days after they began evening hours, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. By the 1950s the business association had grown, and 55 merchants donated money, time, and effort to street decorations. Santa Claus greeted young visitors seated in a tent on the Courthouse lawn and presented a gift to each and all. Erma Bowdish entertained on a portable organ.
Today, there is no Business Association as retailers like Wein’s, Jode’s, and Rubins are gone.
Currently, the holiday season begins “officially” on Light Up Night, the Friday following Thanksgiving. Santa arrives with help from the Brookville Volunteer Fire Department and greets visitors inside his house on the Courthouse lawn. A large tree is there. Wreaths hang on the lampposts and gift items adorn shop windows.
Like those folks in 1921, we hope during the holiday season that you will consider a donation to your favorite charity as part of your holiday giving.
Copyright@Jefferson County Historical Society, Inc.
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