Published December 14, 2024
By Rob Mellon
During World War II many community events, festivals, and parties were canceled or muted out of respect for those who were serving and to honor the great sacrifices that had been made during the war. At the conclusion of the war the sober and reverent mood was replaced by one of expressive revelry and celebration. Community events following the war became grand spectacles, especially at Christmas time.
In 1945, the owner and operator of Pix Photo in Quincy, Mr. June Berghofer, came up with an idea to have a massive public Christmas party for the children of Quincy and the surrounding area. Berghofer planned the community Christmas parties in 1945 and 1946 paying all of the expenses himself. With the event becoming more popular and increasingly larger, Mr. Berghofer turned to the Quincy Exchange Club for help in 1947. June Berghofer continued his service to the community at Christmas time by visiting all of the senior centers in Quincy and delivering gifts and holiday cheer to the elderly of the city.
The Exchange Club made the community Christmas party a truly massive event. In 1948, Santa arrived at 5th and Maine by helicopter as crowds filled Quincy’s downtown. In1949 the Exchange Club event became the largest Christmas party ever held in Washington Park.
Early Saturday morning on December 17, 1949 a long waiting line extended from Washington Park to 5th Street then west down the block on the north side of the park. The line of people standing elbow to elbow awaited the arrival of St. Nicholas. By 9:30am more than 4,000 people were waiting in line.
At 9:30 a red aerial fire truck raced down Maine Street led by a motorcade of motorcycle officers and police cars from the Quincy Police Department. Onlookers waved and cheered as the authorities cleared the path for Kris Kringle. The Chief of Police Ray Welsh and the Fire Chief George Simon were in the motorcade ensuring the safe arrival of the fire truck which presumably started its journey at the North Pole. The fire engine stopped on Maine Street across from the bandstand in Washington Park, and Santa Claus in great splendor climbed down the ladder and was greeted by Quincy mayor George Meyer, Jr. The children gathered in the park peered on with wonder.
“Jingle Bells” rang out over the public address system as Santa Claus made his way through the huge crowd of people to an impressive igloo structure that was set up in the center of the park. Members of the Exchange Club had built an igloo with glass sides so visitors could see Santa. A tall white Christmas tree decorated with electric bulbs and beautiful ornaments stood in the igloo next to Santa. The first group to see the jolly old elf were youngsters from Lincoln School.
Throngs of people congregated around the igloo to watch St. Nicholas dispensing cheer and giving presents to the visiting children. Most of the children gave Santa a handwritten letter, so his mail bag grew to an enormous size.
The people kept coming and by noon there were more than 10,000 people in Washington Park. Traditional carols played and the chimes of Christmas bells filled the downtown. Each child got a present, a candy cane, and a balloon from Santa Claus. Some Exchange Club members assisted Santa in handing out presents while several others were scattered throughout Washington Park to help manage the line to see Old Man Christmas. The event was captured by still and motion picture cameras by Ray White, Bill Hart, and Dr. Jim Hafner.
Several heartwarming stories were shared among the merry makers. One boy handed Santa an all-day sucker after receiving his gifts. Another boy emptied his pockets and gave St. Nick 13 cents saying, “All for you.” Santa told the young man, “I never take things, I always give,” and he handed the pennies back to the boy. One young girl offered Santa two cookies saying she saved them for him because she knew he liked cookies. Christmas spirit filled the souls of all who peered into the igloo that day.
In one heartbreaking moment, a small boy shivering without a coat told Santa, “never mind me, but give me something for my sick brother who hasn’t any Christmas.” Santa provided for the boy and his brother. The president of the Exchange Club, Bud Bueter who was the chairman of the event said, “I never realized what Santa and Christmas mean to little children. It surely warmed my heart to watch.”
The party was not without its challenges. At one point a father who had made his way with his two sons through the long line to the front had the two boys run off into the park moments before they were to see Santa. By the time the father had collected up his two sons he was forced to take a spot at the end of the line.
The crowd was so large that Santa Claus was not able to break for lunch. Luckily, Miss Harriet Musselman brought some fresh coffee to Kris Kringle and his helper in the igloo.
The man playing Father Christmas was definitely the star of the event. Several people say that they could not recall a happier or jollier Santa Claus. He had long white whiskers and was adequately plump, essentials for any Santa. The 1949 Santa was James “Bud” Willer. He had a striking resemblance to Santa and was known to be a happy, kind, and caring man. He was the perfect person to play Santa for the largest Christmas party downtown Quincy had ever experienced. Willer had been the Director of Adult Education for the WPA during the Great Depression and was a veteran of World War II. He played Santa Claus for 26 years with his last appearance in 1971.
People of all ages came to the Christmas party in the park in the winter of 1949- mothers with babies in their arms, fathers clutching the hands of their children, and grandparents hugging their grandchildren. It was truly a festive, and heart-touching gathering. The Exchange Club’s Christmas Party of 1949 was a smashing success.
Rob Mellon is currently the Executive Director of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County and an U.S. Army Reserve Officer serving as an instructor with the University of Missouri ROTC program. He has served 27 years in the United States Army. He is on the Board of Directors of the Ulysses S. Grant Trail Association.
Sources:
“Club Members Preparing for Visit of Santa Claus Next Saturday.” Quincy Herald-Whig, December 10, 1949, p.8.
“H.J. Berghofer.” Quincy Herald-Whig, January 12, 1959, p.14.
“James ‘Bud’ Willer.” Quincy Herald-Whig, April 2, 1978, p.33.
“Quincyans and Their Neighbors See Santa Claus Come to Town.” Quincy Herald-Whig, December 18, 1949, p.22.
“Santa Claus Day.” Quincy Herald-Whig, December 15, 1949, p.6.
