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Santa's Village Santa ClausOver the years Santa's Village has had many a gentleman stand in for the Jolly Old Elf. Santa Claus arrived at Santa's Village on Memorial Day 1959.
Santa Jim (1959-1961) The original Santa of Santa’s Village Theme Park, Dundee, Illinois. Santa Jim was there on opening day in 1959 until his departure at the close of the 1961 season. He served three seasons as Kris Kringle.
Santa Eric (1962-1965) The 1962 season saw Santa Eric assume the title role. He spent four years in the red suit. Santa Eric starred in three one reel movies shot by K. Gordon Murray Productions.
Santa Don (1966-1979) Taking over from Santa Eric at the beginning of the 1966 season, Santa Don served fourteen years as the park’s namesake. Leaving the park in 1979, Santa Don returned only once to the park (a one day event) as Santa to help celebrate the park’s 35th anniversary in 1994.
Santa Alan (1980-1983) Santa Alan's four years at the park is the third longest along with Santa Eric. Santa Tom (1984) Santa Tom played the character for one season before he became the Park's public relations director in 1985. Tom stayed with the Park until 1988.
Santa (1985-1986) Santa from 1985-1986 was supplied by Instant Photo Corporation of America. Numerous gentlemen played the part during those two years including Santa Phil. (See below) Santa Harold and Santa Greg (1987-1988) Santa Harold and Santa Greg split the role for two seasons.
Santa Phil (1986, 1989-1996 and 2003-2006) The last fulltime St. Nick, Santa Phil has an 20 year association with Santa's Village. Along with his duties as the Jolly Old Elf, Santa Phil is also the Park's official historian. Other Santas 1997-2000 Numerous gentlemen played Santa Claus. 2001-2003 Santa Jeff and Santa Karl Santa Jeff played the main Santa in 2002. Santa Karl worked a relief role. MORE HISTORY ... Santa's Village takes great pride in presenting the book that commemorates the Dundee Santa's Village in Illinois. It's written by the last Santa Claus of the Santa's Village parks, and his historical knowledge of all the parks will delight you with insidghts and memories alike. Get your copy of Santa's Village here.
Images of America Since 1959, Santa’s Village in Dundee, has entertained millions. The park was born of a man who as a child had no real Christmas. Glenn Holland grew up in California during the Great Depression. His parents died by the time he was 18 years old, leaving him to care for his younger sister. As a father, he tried to give his own children the type of Christmas that he only knew in his dreams. In the early 1950s, struck with inspiration, Holland sat at his kitchen table one day and started to sketch his idea for a Christmas fairyland where all the magic of the holiday would come to life: Santa’s Village. Holland and general contractor Putnam Henck built three Santa’s Villages, two in California and one in Dundee. The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.
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Sponors of Santa's Village: Christmas Kids - a delightful website full of historical information about Christmas.
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