This Christmas Eve, we’ll take our yearly look back to the happenings of Christmas weeks of the past. On Christmas Eve in 1892, “severe cold weather dominated the area. The Windham Cotton Company‘s section of the  Willimantic River was frozen solid, much to the glee of local skaters, who sped down its mile long length. The area was "thickly covered with young people of both sexes every morning and afternoon." The low temperatures also caused cracks in the town's gas mains. A large crack in the main situated under the corner of Church and Valley Streets caused a dangerous leak. The gas could find no way out of the frozen ground and consequently made its way into the lower stories of the Holland and Natchaug Silk Company's mills, causing them to be evacuated of workers. The cold, it was reported, “forced its way through every crack and crevice” and caused great damage to water and steam pipes and , “ruffled the tempers of good housewives”. The post office was affected due to the fact that someone had left the windows open slightly and so it was nearly noon before the building was heated enough for workers to go about their jobs. The Chronicle mentioned that, “the country people looked more after their comfort than pleasure and sat by their fires at home rather than drive to town for ‘Christmas fixings’”. And even if they had, there was not much to be seen since the display windows of all the stores were so frosted up that the “fine display of Christmas goods was hidden from view by a thick curtain of frost”. Some merchants placed oil lamps in the windows but they only thawed an area “about the size of a dining plate”. In 1917, Christmas in Willimantic passed quietly. On Christmas Eve, plans had been made for a “Community Christmas Tree”. The exercises were held at the “Elms” on the corner of Main and Beech Streets. A forty-foot tree had been positioned on the east lawn of the Elms and was wired with hundreds of electric lights. A children’s chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Amelia Damon, had been rehearsing Christmas carols. At the celebration, they gathered around the tree singing carols and then marched through lower Main and Ives Streets. A bright and cold Christmas Day greeted worshipers at five masses at St. Mary's the four masses at St. ]oseph's and the services at all the local churches. It was a busy day for the railroads and the trolley cars, which deposited visiting relatives in town from outlying areas.  Willimantic's three movie houses were packed for each performance, and a Christmas Day dance at the town hall attracted over 200 people, who waltzed to the music of Pickett's orchestra. The 29 inmates at the town almshouse were treated to a roast pork dinner. Superintendent Slater presented each man with cigars and candy, and Mrs. Clinton, the matron, each of the women with two handkerchiefs and a box of candy.  And to round out this quiet Christmas, the police reported no arrests. In 1942, the Textile Workers‘ Union of America, sponsored a children’s party in the  Capitol Theater. They had a Santa Claus and organized games and handed out packages of candy and refreshments to the children, all aged between 7 and 14. The party was considered to be a great success, and the C.l.O. announced that from now it would be an annual event.  The Electro-Motive Manufacturing Company held a Christmas tree party at the plant. Employee bonuses were determined by each individual’s period of employment at the plant. The minimum payout was $10. Company President Philip Lauter announced that everyone was invited to Electro Motive’s annual holiday party. Each employee was urged to bring a friend to enjoy a “high grade floor show, dancing refreshment and novelties."  In 1967, heavy snow on December 23 ensured that it would be a White Christmas in Willimantic. The storm deposited five inches of the white stuff onto the city streets, beginning at 2AM.  Public Works Superintendent Alexis Caisse announced that plowing, sanding and salting commenced at 3:30 AM, but there was still a large number of minor auto accidents during the early morning. The snow did not bother employees of Electro- Motive. They had just received their generous, yearly Christmas bonus. It was calculated that nationwide, Electro-Motive's 1,600 employees had received an extra $298,000 to help them celebrate Christmas. Visit threadcity.us for more photos and articles. This week's pic was taken by Armand Biron in 1963 and is used with his permission.   


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