My sister and I thought southern Indiana was just an extension of Owensboro when we were little. Children think like you. We particularly enjoyed that “extension” in Spencer County, which was on the other side of the river.
Santa Claus Land Before It Became Holiday World
Then there’s Santa Claus, Indiana, which is possibly the world’s greatest Christmas town. Holiday World is closed for the season in December, therefore you can’t go there. However, in Santa Claus Land, its earlier iteration, such was not the case. The well-known theme park was much smaller than it is now, but it was just as charming back when that was its name. For my family, going there during the holidays was a Christmas tradition. When I was in middle school, there was one such visit. That was C-O-O-O-LD on December 23, 1978. Even though the rides weren’t open at the time, we still had a great lunch at the Kringle Cafe. Unless my memory is off, I seem to recall it being a buffet.
A 1970s-Era Santa Claus Land Commercial
In any case, this old Santa Claus Land commercial brought back all of these memories:
And when I watched this vintage 8mm home video, I about lost it. It features a man posing by the statue of the Mae West-like woman. We have a photo of my dad in the similar position somewhere.
Santa Claus Land Home Movies
Those are some amazing 1970s Santa Claus Land recollections. This vintage home video transports us to the 1960s:
As I write this, I’m overcome with nostalgia for that restaurant’s Christmas, its old entrance, and its old sculptures.
You will still see some, but not many, traces of Santa Claus Land if you pay close attention on your next trip to Holiday World. At least these wonderful memories will last a lifetime.
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