Christmas Tree Extravaganzas: 1875

In December 1875, O. L. Haddock, the editor of The Carlisle Herald, visited the homes of some of Carlisle’s residents who were known to have elaborate displays under their Christmas trees, and to describe them for the enjoyment of the newspaper’s readers.

He admired the two large trees that stood in the parlors of the Robert Allison residence on Main Street. In front of them, he wrote, was “a large house with an observatory, which presented a fine appearance when lighted up. Cages of animals [stood] in the background. A novelty was a hen with a brood of chickens…It was all surrounded by a rustic fence made by Mrs. Allison.”

Dr. C. M. Worthington’s tree “is certainly intended for the little folk,” he wrote, “although the big folks enjoyed it also. The doctor has a flowing fountain with an intricate winding stairway, gravel walks, and an army of mounted men marching in line of battle.” Under the tree at the home of Mrs. George Beetem on West Street “was a miniature lake and bridge with gravel walks,” as well as “Pharoah’s daughter with Moses in the bull rushes. In the background was a train of cars emerging from a tunnel, and a number of other designs.”

Mrs. Abraham Beetem’s display was quite grand. There is a “handsome mansion with a large lawn filled with statuary…The old woman in the shoe is there too. A number of lifelike ladies engaged in a game of croquet, while the lovers are nearby in a shady nook.” There was a church and several nuns, a log cabin, and swans swimming on two tiny lakes. To the extreme right was a scene of Bethlehem. Mrs. Beetem also displayed “a perfect representation of the old Independence bell, even to the crack in it with the old sexton in the belfry.”

Numerous trees featured the Goddess of Liberty and other patriotic themes in honor of America’s upcoming centennial. Mrs. A. Beetem’s tree displayed three Goddesses of Liberty, and a number of other figures while “a handsomely dressed Goddess of Liberty, firmly grasping the National emblem,” adorned the tree at the Andrew Sheaffer home on East Street.

The editor also described the displays in some of the shop windows in Carlisle. Confectioner, Robert A. Crozier “had his first tree on exhibition. There was a park and a grand walk at the base, while the tree was decorated with many handsome figures including the crown heads of foreign countries.” At the base of the tree at the Farmers and Drovers Hotel “was a gypsy tent with a solitary Egyptian, a miniature lake and other curiosities.” Gypsies seemed to be a popular theme. At the base of Mrs. Fanny Totton’s tree on North Hanover Street was “a gipsy tent, a fine looking horse, animals, and various designs.”

The article included the names of others with “handsome” trees. The editor noted that “we may have missed some of the beauties in our hurried visit, and if so, it has not been intentional.” He closed the article wishing “one and all a Happy New Year.”