Christmas Window Displays

David Conwill · Nov 12, 2010

If there’s one thing I feel I’ve missed out on by not living in the Golden Era, it’s the window displays that graced American downtown stores at Christmastime.

Well, I discovered this blog today showcasing some displays that used to grace downtown Scranton (Pennsylvania, I presume) from 1938 to 1960.

My office is behind an empty display case in what was once a jewelry store, and I’ve contemplated trying to replicate something like this as a Christmas display.

-Dave

BinkieBaumont · Nov 12, 2010

Art Deco 'Angel' Christmas display at "Boans" Department Store here in The Swan River Colony late 1930's

Michaelson · Nov 16, 2010

My hometown, Portsmouth, Ohio, had a long time locally owned department store called Martings. They used to go all out with their Christmas window displays every year. If you recall the opening scene from 'A Christmas Story', that store window always reminds me of Martings 'back in the day'.

Regards! Michaelson

RetroToday · Nov 16, 2010

Michaelson said:
My hometown, Portsmouth, Ohio, had a long time locally owned department store called Martings. They used to go all out with their Christmas window displays every year. If you recall the opening scene from 'A Christmas Story', that store window always reminds me of Martings 'back in the day'.

Regards! Michaelson

Here's a frame from the movie to illustrate:

Here in Toronto we had Eaton's and Simpson's, both their Christmas window displays at the corner of Yonge St. & Queen St. were quite famous for years. People used to make the trip downtown from far away places just to see those decorated windows with animated statues.

Adcurium · Nov 16, 2010

Cool. I grew up outside of Scranton. This was waaay before my time, but it was fun to see the photos. Thanks for posting.

AmateisGal · Nov 16, 2010

The Country Club Plaza in Kansas City has Christmas window displays. I'm headed there in a few weeks to check them out - I'll take pictures!

skyvue · Nov 17, 2010

Come to NYC, you guys! The tradition of Christmas window displays is thriving here.

Foofoogal · Nov 17, 2010

I am old enough to remember in my small town every year a large waving Santa would be put in the local department store. We thought he was awesome and lived for every Christmas when they would break him out.

Skyvue, you need to take some photos for us deprived folks.

dhermann1 · Nov 17, 2010

Manhattan Christmas windows. Hmmm . . . that sounds like a good excuse for a meet up. Maybe plan an itinerary, and wind up some place for dinner. Anyone up for it?

David Conwill · Nov 17, 2010

dhermann1 said:
Manhattan Christmas windows. Hmmm . . . that sounds like a good excuse for a meet up. Maybe plan an itinerary, and wind up some place for dinner. Anyone up for it?

Sounds great, except I can't see myself dragging my wife and two daughters to New York City just now. Especially if we're taking the train to Chicago in a couple weeks.

-Dave

olive bleu · Nov 25, 2010

Here in Halifax we have Mills Bros. which has been around since 1919, and our only downtown dept. store. Every year, they have done a fabulous Snow White display..the company was just sold last year and they have tried to modernize, so who knows if they will keep it up.But here are some photos taken of the window last year:

Tango Yankee · Nov 27, 2010

Michaelson said:
My hometown, Portsmouth, Ohio, had a long time locally owned department store called Martings. They used to go all out with their Christmas window displays every year. If you recall the opening scene from 'A Christmas Story', that store window always reminds me of Martings 'back in the day'.

Regards! Michaelson

My wife corroborates your story, Michaelson! She said it was just fabulous, and that she felt like she could look at it for hours. Me, I'm not even sure which building used to be the Martings building despite it being the center of some political games recently.

Cheers,
Tom

Tailor Tom · Nov 29, 2010

For those of us in Minnesota, it was traveling to downtown Minneapolis to view Dayton's great windows and their amazing 8th floor all decorated in different themes every year.

Marty M. · Nov 29, 2010

Tailor Tom said:
For those of us in Minnesota, it was traveling to downtown Minneapolis to view Dayton's great windows and their amazing 8th floor all decorated in different themes every year.

They've always have done a wonderful job on their 8th floor displays. Like you, I still call them Daytons.

David Conwill · Nov 29, 2010

Marty M. said:
They've always have done a wonderful job on their 8th floor displays. Like you, I still call them Daytons.

Target?

-Dave

GoldenEraFan · Nov 29, 2010

Does anyone remember the Macy's window's on 34th street back in the mid-'90s? I recall them having static animals dressed in the Golden Era style, with the main focus being an elephant dressed as Santa Claus.

DanielJones · Dec 1, 2010

Back in the mid to late 1940's my Pop was a window dresser for Macy's in New York. I wished that he had taken photographs of his work then but he didn't get into photography until 1950. From what he told me he did some pretty spectacular holiday windows. I suppose that if you have photos out there of the Macy's windows from about 1945 to 1949 you have pictures of my Pop's work.

Cheers!

Dan

Miss Sis · Dec 5, 2010

In Wellington, New Zealand where I'm from, every year Kirkcaldie and Stains department store had animated Christmas elves in Santa's Workshop making all the toys. I used to love when they put them up and wanted to stand there as long as possible to watch. Luckily it's Summer at that time of year down under, so no risk of frost bite!

They also have a wonderful Christmas decoration shop. Oh, I'd love to be able to visit it now.

Michaelson · Dec 8, 2010

Tango Yankee said:
My wife corroborates your story, Michaelson! She said it was just fabulous, and that she felt like she could look at it for hours. Me, I'm not even sure which building used to be the Martings building despite it being the center of some political games recently.

Cheers,
Tom

It's across Chillicothe Street from the current 5th Third bank (the old Montgomery Wards building that had a fantastic model railroad display in the basement at Christmas, as well as the very first escalator many folks ever saw in their lives), on the west side of the street. It's the big beige colored building on the corner with all the glass display windows.

I understand they're still wrangling about the building, as it was originally going to be made into the City offices, but the walls are so sectioned out, they renigned on the plan, and the building still sits empty.

I lived in Lucasville for many years before leaving in 89. Nice to see a home town fellow around here!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Christmas Window Displays

Call Me a Cab

Rude Once Too Often

One Too Many

A-List Customer

A-List Customer

I'll Lock Up

Call Me a Cab

Banned

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One Too Many

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One of the Regulars

Vendor

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One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

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