Glimpses of the Past
December 29, 1921
Whitehall homes showed an abundance of Christmas spirit this year. Beautiful trees, many of them electric lighted, profuse decorations, and red candles burning in the windows, typical of a light to the way of the Christ child, produced effects in keeping with this great annual event.
December 15, 1932
Whitehall citizens and visitors to our village are enjoying the splendid street decorations, which were erected last week during the extremely cold weather by Larry Richardson, local representative of Northern States Power Co., Ray Ringstad, employee at the Iverson-Larson lumber yard, and Ernest Goplin, who is engaged at the Theo. B. Olson store. This work was done gratis and public thanks are due the three men for their public spiritedness. For several years past the village has decorated two Christmas trees situated at the intersections at the Solsrud and Model building corners, and also the permanent Christmas tree in Seymour Park. This season it was decided to erect arches, so six evergreen streamers are now extended across Main Street.
December 28, 1939
The exteriors of 30 homes in Whitehall were variously and beautifully decorated for the Christmas season, as a result of the contest sponsored by the Whitehall Improvement Association. The first prize of $5 was awarded to A.R. Stuve, with his display of a Christmas scene.
December 8, 1949
When one views the display windows of stores and shops in the business section of Whitehall, and gazes at the permanent Christmas tree on the City Hall square, there is ample evidence that Christmas is approaching. Electrician Leonard Gruntzel and assistants, and marshals Mahle and Bensend, have completed their work of decorating the streets with colored lights and the permanent Christmas tree is illuminated nightly.
December 19, 1957
Whitehall is decked out in traditional holiday attire with the large permanent Christmas tree on the square, small, lighted trees on the light poles, and large red Christmas bells suspended on streamers across both ends of Main Street. These decorations were put up by city employees.
December 24, 1964
A nativity scene of life-like figures has been erected on the City Hall square by Ronald Bautch. Lit up for the first time last Friday night, and nightly since that time, it adds a religious note to the beautiful city-wide decorations. The nativity scene had been put up by Mr. and Mrs. Bautch for many years, but last year it was not erected. Many people missed it and were glad to see it this year.
December 11, 1969
Camp Street in east Whitehall is “Christmas Card Lane” to welcome the approaching holiday. Seven residents along the street — the William Balls, Roy Harnisches, Anton Kuligs, Hilmen Lees, Leonard Gjestvangs, Mrs. Tena Quackenbush and Mrs. John Davidson — have cooperated to place large Christmas cards, fashioned of hard-board and decorated, in their yards.