by Dorothy Shepherd Smith
We lived in a large two-story white frame house on the present site of the Langford Hotel.* In the early days most residents lived in similar houses within walking distance of Park Avenue.
*The Shepherd home, c. 1898, on the corner of New England and Interlachen Avenues. Now the site of the Alfond Inn.
At the back of our house was a big chicken yard where chickens scratched in the sand. Early in December a turkey joined them.
When Chapman and Chase bought the land for Winter Park in 1881, it was covered with pines. In 1920 woods were not far away. There were no "Keep Off" signs so we were free to wander through the woods until we found a short-leaf pine.
Back home, my sister Kathleen and I threaded strings of cranberries and popcorn which mother draped on the tree. Tin metal holders, that clipped onto the branches held small red, gold, and blue candles. On the treetop Daddy hung a homemade star.
Christmas Eve townspeople gathered round a big tree in the park to sing carols. Santa gave each child a cornucopia filled with candy. Before bedtime Daddy lit the candles on the tree.
Christmas Eve townspeople gathered round a big tree to open our presents. Among my gifts were skates from Santa and a dress with smocking made by Grandmother Shepherd. Mrs. C. H. Morse, whose husband gave to the town Central Park, surprised me with a beautiful baby doll that had arms and legs that moved, curly blond hair and blue eyes that closed.
Christmas dinner at noon Grandpa Shepherd gave thanks for our blessings. We enjoyed turkey with cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, garden vegetables and hot biscuits. For dessert we had Mother's crisp sugar cookies and ambrosia- orange sections covered with grated, fresh coconut. The meal ended with mints made by our Virginia Grandmother. Christmas night, before bedtime, Daddy lit the candles for the last time.
A Winter Park Christmas in 1920 was simple and lovely - a Christmas to remember.
Dorothy was a special friend of the Winter Park History Museum. Her interest in, and care of, town history, contributes greatly to the WPHM Archival Collection. She was a detailed observer and writer of her time and combined those gifts to tell descriptive stories of her youth. Storytellers, like Dorothy, make history come alive by coloring in the details of the past.
Happy Holidays from Christy Grieger, Linda Kulmann and Devorah Burgess.
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