Christmases Past by Pete Zizka 12-24-2022 |
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.
For larger version of picture - click here |
<<HOME>> <<back to Historical Articles index>> |