We continue our sleigh ride back in time with a visit to Chatham-Kent in November 1925

NOTE TO READERS: To prepare for this week’s column, I went to our Christmas file. I found all the research we originally did back in the 1980s (when we had a radio show) and two articles Jim wrote back in 1998, using that research. I reprise one of those articles today.

Last week. we looked at the Christmas season, from a local perspective, from 1850 to 1900. Today, we continue our sleigh ride back in time, starting with a visit to Chatham-Kent in November 1925.

By Nov. 19, Austin’s Department Store (forerunner of Eaton’s) in downtown Chatham already was exhorting its customers to “Come to Toyland and visit Santa.” It was also getting close to the Third Annual Winter Fair held in Chatham from Dec. 7 to 11, and you needed to visit particularly on the first day, because Santa would be there. And Santa was quickly entering the electronic age, as he was going to talk to children over the airwaves on Station 10 BF of the Chatham Radio Club.

Also, while the........

© Sarnia Observer