Christmas Ramblings

ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS - SANTA’S VILLAGE

Roadside attractions have been around since automobile travel first became popular in the 1920’s and 30’s and Christmas themed parks were popular for decades.  Santa’s Village was located in Scott’s Valley, California near the site of earlier roadside attractions including The Tree Circus, a collection of wildly grafted trees formed into complex designs, The Lost World with it’s not-to-believable plaster dinosaurs, and the venerable Mystery Spot that still promises “Unexplainable Phenomena” to attract the gullible and curious. The Lost World has been gone for many years however many of the Circus Trees are still  thriving after nearly a hundred years and are on display at Gilroy Gardens.   

Santa’s Village was one of three Christmas themed parks operated Southern California businessman H. Glenn Holland. His other parks were located at Lake Arrowhead, California and in the Chicago area. Opening two years after Disneyland in 1957, the Scott’s Valley Santa’s Village was a small park nestled in a shady redwood grove adjacent to busy highway 17 between the San Francisco Bay Area and popular Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk. Holland spent nearly $1,000,000 on his whimsical world of year-round Christmas.

For just $1.00 (Adults)  and $.50 (Children) families could spend several hours or an entire day riding on the Sandy Cane Sleigh pulled by real Arctic reindeer, hop aboard the Magic Train through the enchanted forest, ride in an ornament on the Giant Christmas Tree, experience the Tractor Ride or climb aboard a Burro for a short ride through the nearby “wilderness”. Kid’s enjoyed the marionette shows at the Wee Puppet Theatre, collecting free candy off of the Lollipop Tree, checking for their names in the Good Book in Santa’s Home, and playing with the animals in Santa’s Baby Zoo. Other attractions included an Alice In Wonderland Mirror Maze, Santa’s Enormous Boot, dozens of brightly painted cement mushrooms, Santa’s oversize mailbox, a toy factory and gift shop, oversize wooden soldiers, candy canes and a huge Jack-in-the-Box. Hot dogs, hamburgers and steak sandwiches could be found at Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen, and sweets at the Gingerbread House.

Holland’s staff dressed as elves and costumed characters including Alice in Wonderland, jack Pumpkin Head, Easter Bunny, Little Bo Peep, and the Good Witch wandered through the lush grounds while Santa and Mrs, Claus could usually be found greeting guests at the frozen candy cane striped North Pole.

Thousands of commuters, tourists, and locals pass unknowingly within a short distance of the overgrown and nearly hidden former site of Santa’s Village, and except for a solitary sign marking “Santa’s Village Road”, only memories remain of the charming little park that brought joy to thousands for twenty two years,.

We take time during the holidays to thoughtfully

reflect on the past, savor  the fleeting present

and embrace whatever the  may future bring.

.

May past memories bring you joy and comfort

during this Holiday Season.

The Ralphs