Santa Claus turns heads skyward in 1928

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| Monday, December 20, 2004 10:43 PM CST | () comments

John Willard

Aviation was spreading its wings, what with Charles A. Lindbergh completing his stunning solo flight across the Atlantic only a year before and a new airport just opening in Davenport.

Even Santa Claus was getting adept at the new technology, as he would show the city during the Christmas season of 1928.

"Here he is, Santa himself. And what's more he's all ready to take off for Davenport," the Davenport Democrat and Leader announced on Nov. 20, 1928.

The newspaper quoted from what it said was "a copy of the radio-gram just received by the Santa Claus committee." The correspondence from Santa said:

"Tell all the boys and girls I'll be there December 1. I'll be sure 'nuf take the airplane, too. Just when I'll arrive I cannot tell, depending on the blizzards enroute." � signed, "Air-minded Santa."

It was not the first time that St. Nicholas had tried his hand at flying. On Nov. 25, 1916, he flew into town on a seaplane, landing on the Mississippi River in view of thousands of excited people crowding LeClaire Park, as we noted in this space last year.

Let's look back to a time when Santa's visits were big community events. His 1928 fly-in featured a visit to an orphanage, a parade in which he rode in a horse-drawn float and a reception in LeClaire Park, where, the Democrat reported, he "was the center of a surging mob."

Aviation was still relatively new, and Santa's choice of transportation generated extensive publicity.

"So it's true. Santa has discarded his timeworn reindeer, and even motor cars and trains. It's the airplane for him," the newspaper reported.

The Democrat reported that Santa was ready for his aerial adventure.

"A long distance interview with the man in red revealed that he wasn't a bit afraid of getting his whiskers tangled in the whirring motors, and he's heard about Davenport's new Cram field: so all his doubts about the best way to travel are at rest."

The newspaper quoted Santa:

"Nothing can keep me from coming to the reception. If Lindbergh and the Graf Zeppelin can fly across the ocean, I guess I can fly down from the North Pole."

The Santa Claus committee, the Democrat said, was busy working on the reception and parade, promising the parade would the "biggest parade for him to head that he ever saw."

The newspaper urged children to write their letters to Santa early, noting that Santa wouldn't want to bring a big baby doll if the little girl wanted a cradle for last year's Christmas doll, or a coaster sled when the little boy wanted skates.

The Democrat kept its readers informed of Santa's visit in two more stories leading up to the big day of his arrival.

"Tie a string on your finger for next Saturday, boys and girls. Oh, you won't forget? Of course not, for Santa won't forget you," the Democrat reported Nov. 25.

The story offered a preview of Santa's visit.

"He'll circle �round over town and maybe you can see his round red face with the whiskers sticking out over the side," the newspaper said.

The other story announced that Santa's visit would include a stop at the Iowa State Soldiers' Orphans' Home, today the site of the Annie Wittenmyer Center.

"When he flies down Saturday morning he will circle around town then dash off to the north for a special visit from the air to the Iowa State Soldiers' Orphans' home, it was learned today," the Democrat reported Nov. 27. "He will alight nearby, jump into an automobile and be downtown in a jiffy to head the triumphal parade."

All went well on the day of Santa's arrival. Low clouds made it difficult for people to see Santa in the air, but he was quite the attraction as he rode in a big float drawn by four black horses along downtown streets to LeClaire Park. Bands played and children cheered.

At the park, the crowd surging around Santa was so large that some of his helpers went to another section of the park and handed toys out to the throng. Horns and squawkers added to the din.

"What Santa said in his speech nobody knew. But he grinned and waved and that was enough," the Democrat reported the next day.

(Vern Wriedt provided research assistance for this story.)

John Willard can be contacted at (563) 383-2314 or jwillard@qctimes.com.