Municipal Christmas tree revives historical claim (first of two parts)

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 7, 2002

Recent action by city, county and private groups which resulted in the erection of a Christmas tree near the corner of Broadway Avenue and Fountain Street continues a local tradition which started 90 years ago. In fact, Albert Lea is cited as having the first known municipal or public Christmas tree in 1912!

The basis for this claim is based on the information printed under a photo on page one of the Dec. 28, 1912, issue of the Tribune. It said, &uot;The above is a cut (photo) of the public Christmas tree which was put up in our streets by members of the Business Men’s League on Monday evening, Dec. 23, and which we reproduce by courtesy of the Minneapolis Tribune. The tree was an innovation in matters of Christmas observances, being the first one placed in the streets in the United States, and Albert Lea has received much favorable advertising as a result, its business men being designated as a bunch of live wires.&uot; (The Business Men’s League was a predecessor of the present Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.)

Other interpretations of this claim are based on the tree being the first actually placed in a street intersection, and what both the Minneapolis and Albert Lea Tribune said was a &uot;unique public Christmas tree.&uot;

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On Dec. 23, 1912, the city merchants set up this tree at the intersection of Broadway and William Street. The tall tree was fenced off and the horseless carriages and horse-drawn vehicles maneuvered around the temporary obstruction.

A headline in the Dec. 23, 1914, issue of the weekly Freeborn County Standard newspaper said, &uot;Third Annual Municipal Christmas Tree A Great Success.&uot;

The article with this headline added these details:

&uot;Tuesday night every kidlet in Albert Lea, who could possibly make the effort was at the public Christmas tree to welcome Santa Claus and to sing of the Christmas spirit.

&uot;About 7:30 a chorus of 50 men’s voices led by Dr. (Jonas R.) Nannestad, began the singing of Christmas carols. Shortly after this the beautiful tree, trimmed with gold and silver tinsel and a myriad of electric lights were flashed on and the beautiful sight made everyone gasp with admiration. After singing several of the carols, bells were heard in the distance, and in a few moments the good old Saint Nick, arrived upon the festive scene, driving two milk white horses in tandem on a sleigh. Soon after this the distribution of candy began, and if any little boy or girl was neglected it was not the fault of those in charge. Over 2,000 boxes of candy and oranges were given away.

&uot;The crowd filled the four blocks leading to the tree and in spite of the cold and snow were in a joyful mood. Because of the snow many were prevented from coming from the country. ‘Everybody’s Christmas Tree’ was once again a success and was an inspiration to every believer in the true spirit of Christmas.&uot;

This yearly municipal tree lasted until the mid-1920s, and then was moved to the north end of Broadway near Fountain Lake. It was replaced with suspended intersection decorations which the late Bidney Bergie of the Freeborn County Historical Society once said were likely the first of this type in southern Minnesota.

Next: How local Christmas decorations have evolved though the years since 1912, why the muncipal tree tradition died out for several decades, and how some traditional decorations are now being revived.