102 Years Ago
Golden had its first community Christmas tree in 1922. Trees were normally the province of individual churches or schools, but the Transcript had long been pushing to have a community tree downtown. Finally, in 1922, they got their way.
The Kiwanis Club arranged to cut a big tree on Genessee mountain, on land belonging to one of the club members. They placed it at 13th and Washington, on “the Tramway grass plot, and lighted with colored lights loaned by the School of Mines.” The tree was lighted every night for a week before Christmas.
On Saturday night, the 23rd of December, the Fire Department held an “illuminated fire run.” They lit a big bonfire at 9th and Washington and raced their newly-purchased fire engine through downtown, demonstrating their speed and skill by dousing the fire in record time.
The event was made more dramatic because the street lights and store lights had been turned off. The fire engine was decorated with tinsel and red, white, and blue electric lights.
In order to ensure an unobstructed path down Washington Avenue, the fire fighters had removed cars parked on the main street, pushing them off to the side streets. “Several owners of machines were surprised on coming out of the stores where they were shopping that their machines were not where they had left them.”
After the demonstration, the truck and crew returned to the Central Station (on 12th Street, next to the Astor House). There, they held an open house for members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club. The assemblage consumed more than 500 donuts and 25 gallons of coffee.
Sunday night was Christmas Eve. The community gathered at the big lighted Christmas tree at 8:30PM, after the Christmas programs at the various churches. Carols were sung, accompanied by members of the Schools of Mines band. Santa Claus made an appearance, distributing fruit and candy to the children. Afterwards, the Kiwanis club visited the homes of “shut ins,” to sing carols to them.
