Posts about Christmas
Resources are listed in alphabetical order. More information can always be found by using our website search bar, or contacting a member of our staff.
Museum Saving Santa, Bringing Back a Beloved Central Illinois Christmas Tradition
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, two in fact, right here in McLean County. The 14-foot Santa sculptures symbolized the holiday se...
Holiday season comes to an end January 4, 1965
Is there anything sadder than a dry and tindery Christmas tree, sans ornaments and lights, unceremoniously dumped curbside come early J...
Santa on Parade December 1948
On December 5, 1948, Santa arrived in Bloomington via the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. From the west side passenger station he tra...
Holiday Shopping Downtown Bloomington, December 1953
Seen here are shoppers out and about downtown Bloomington in mid-December 1953. This location, as well as the folks shown here, are uni...
Santa at the Courthouse Square Downtown Bloomington, 1948
On December 4, 1948, Santa Claus arrived in Bloomington via the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. Upon disembarking at the old west sid...
Herman Glaser, December 1952 Stanford’s Toy Maker
During the 1952 holiday season Stanford resident and retired farmer Herman Glaser displayed several of his personally designed and buil...
Holiday Shopping 1932 Downtown Bloomington
Back in the 1930s downtown was the place to go for all your holiday shopping. This snowy Depression-era scene shows the corner of Main ...
Courthouse Caroling December 23, 1935
The ninth annual “Community Christmas Carol Sing” was held on the McLean County Courthouse Square on December 23, 1935. Seen here are l...
Bright Lights in Time for Christmas Downtown Bloomington, December 1958
On Dec. 19, 1958, Bloomington Mayor Robert McGraw threw a ceremonial switch to light about half of the 65 new mercury vapor streetlamps...
All I Want for Christmas … Lincoln School First Graders, 1965
Back in early December 1965, these six-year-old first graders from Lincoln School in Bloomington could sympathize with the wishes expre...
Santa and His Six (?) Reindeer Bloomington Christmas Parade, 1929
The December 3, 1929 Christmas parade in Bloomington featured Santa Claus, six marching bands, a drum corps, and eleven floats, among m...