ssaannttaa ccllaauuss hhaallll ooff ffaammee

SSaannttaa CCllaauuss HHaallll ooff FFaammee Dedicated to Nicholas of Myra

22001100 IInnaauugguurraall CCllaassss Charter Members – December 22, 2010

CChhaarrlleess WW.. HHoowwaarrdd

Albion, New York

RRaayymmoonndd ““JJiimm”” YYeelllliigg Santa Claus, Indiana

BBiillll SSttrrootthheerr Richmond, Virginia

EEddmmuunndd GGwweennnn London, England

RRoobbeerrtt GGeeoorrggee Columbus, Nebraska

JJaammeess DD.. RRiieellllyy Bristol, Rhode Island

DDoouugg MMeelllloorr Chicago, Illinois

JJaammeess EEddggaarr Brockton, Massachusetts

GGeeoorrggee SSmmiitthh Jackson, Tennessee

CCaarrll HHaannsseenn Scotts Valley, California

PPhhiilllliipp LL.. WWeennzz Dundee, Illinois

RRaayy JJoocchhuumm St. Henry, Indiana

GGeeoorrggee MMccCClliinnttoocckk Lake Arrowhead, California

NNaattee DDooaann Bay City, Michigan

NNiicchhoollaass ooff MMyyrraa “St. Nicholas”

Patara of Lycia c.270 AD-c.342-7 AD

Nicholas was born in Patara of Lycia during the third century, of devout and wealthy parents who provided him with a Christian upbringing and education. He was orphaned at an early age. Later he was ordained a priest, and when the bishop of his district died, he was made Bishop of Myra of Lycia. Nicholas is distinguished for his faith, especially for his charity. His faith was so great, that with his prayer he calmed a stormy sea while on a trip to the Holy Lands. It is for this reason sailors pay homage to him as their protector. He fought for the predominance of Orthodoxy and took part in the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicea. Especially well-known is his charity and love for children. He used his great wealth to relieve all who were in need: families, widows, orphans, and children. For this same purpose he founded, as Bishop, a poorhouse, hostelries, and a hospital. He was the personification of Christian love and affection. As such he is honored by the entire Christian world, both the Eastern and Western Churches. In the West especially he is considered as the great patron Saint of children and in modern times as the cheerful giver of gifts, Santa Claus.

CChhaarrlleess WW.. HHoowwaarrdd “Dean of Santa Clauses”

Albion, New York 1896-1966

SSaannttaa CCllaauuss HHaallll ooff FFaammee Charter Member – December 22, 2010

Charles W. Howard's professional career is that of a legend. He first played Santa as a boy in a classroom play. As an adult he found himself asked to help out a friend and play Santa in a store front window in downtown Albion. This experience helped Howard's urge to perfect the role of Santa Claus as much as he could. In his early career Howard caught the train next to his farm in Albion and commuted to Rochester and then Buffalo to be Santa in department stores. It was about this time he started to develop the idea for a "school" for Santas. Howard's first school was in the fall of 1937. Howard also appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1948 through 1965. Oddly, he never worked as Santa in the New York City flagship store. From 1948-1964, Howard flew from New York City to Kansas City, Missouri to be the Santa at the Macy's store there. In 1965, his last Christmas season, Howard worked at Nieman Marcus in Dallas, Texas.

RRaayymmoonndd ““JJiimm”” YYeelllliigg “The Real Santa from Santa Claus”

Santa Claus, Indiana 1894-1984


One of the most beloved and legendary Santas of all time, Raymond Joseph Yellig (better known to his friends as Jim), was known as the “Real Santa” from Santa Claus, Indiana. Born in the small village of Mariah Hill, just a few miles north of Santa Claus, Yellig would become the face of Santa Claus, Indiana, for 54 years. Yellig appeared at Santa's Candy Castle and Santa Claus Town, the nation's first themed attraction, in the late 1930s. He answered children’s letters sent to the Santa Claus Post Office. A World War I veteran and an active Legionnaire, Yellig added to his fame by appearing in American Legion Christmas parades in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. In 1946, Yellig became the resident Santa at Santa Claus Land, the world’s first theme park. A position he held for 38 years. No Santa before or since has had as many children visit him in person as Santa Jim Yellig.

BBiillll SSttrrootthheerr “Miller & Rhoads Legendary Santa Claus”

Richmond, Virginia 1896-1957


Miller & Rhoads Department Store hired former Hollywood stunt man Bill Strother to fill Santa’s big red suit in 1942. Strother brought with him many techniques from Hollywood and made the Miller & Rhoads Santa Claus a symbol of the Christmas season. His makeup, designed by the famous Max Factor, took Strother about two hours to put on, and he was, without a doubt, the most realistic Santa Claus ever seen. In addition, he devised a special Santa act. After appearing out of a chimney, he received children on his lap and by use of a concealed throat-mike on an assistant, was able to address each child by name. No act at any theater in Richmond ever drew the crowds, adults as well as children that flocked to see this Santa Claus appear out of a chimney. Bill Strother not only became the most famous Santa Claus in the history of Virginia, he was also the world’s highest paid Santa Claus according to an article in the Saturday Evening Post in 1951.

EEddmmuunndd GGwweennnn “Miracle on 34th Street”

London, England 1877-1959


One of the better known and most successful character actors ever, Gwenn was a magnificent screen presence with his stocky physique, twinkling eyes and kindly demeanor, not to mention his smooth and soothing voice. He was born in Glamorgan, Wales on September 26, 1875 of a stern Civil Servant father who actually turned him out of the household at the age of 17 when he expressed a desire to become an actor. Fulfilling his dream he headed for London and the British stage where he was discovered by playwright George Bernard Shaw who cast him in his play, "Man and Superman" and other subsequent productions. After serving in the army in World War I he migrated to Hollywood where his film career blossomed and eventually he won the Oscar in 1947 for his memorable role as Kris Kringle in "Miracle on 34th Street." Gwenn also appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1946 and 1947 as Santa Claus.

RRoobbeerrtt GGeeoorrggee “The Presidential Santa”

Columbus, Nebraska 1924-1998


Robert George was Santa Claus to six U.S. Presidents and his year-round Christmas display charmed thousands of disadvantaged and disabled children at his home in Southern California. George started life as a barber from Columbus, Nebraska. He started to play Santa in 1949 to disadvantaged and needy children. After retiring from cutting hair, he moved to Los Angeles in 1962 where he bought a home and decorated it as a permanent display called “Santa’s Dreamland.” He became the nations official Santa Claus in 1956 for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He subsequently accepted similar invitations from Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush. A movie based loosely on George's life called "A Different Kind of Christmas" aired on the Lifetime Channel in 1997.

JJaammeess DD.. RRiieellllyy “A remarkable Santa from Rhode Island”

Bristol, Rhode Island 1908-1991


James D. “Jimmy” Rielly’s career as Rhode Island’s most recognizable Santa Claus spanned over 60 years. He began his Santa Claus career in 1928 at the age of 19 appearing primarily at charitable organizations, hospitals, orphanages, and military bases. He never took money for his appearances. During the course of his Santa career, he received literally thousands of letters from celebrities, dignitaries, and politicians; including letters from President Eisenhower, President Nixon and Pope John Paul II. He was featured on several national and local television shows including PM Magazine. In 1979 his name was recorded in the Senate Congressional Record as “James D. Rielly - A truly remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island.”

DDoouugg MMeelllloorr “The Commercial Santa”

Chicago, Illinois 1929-2004


Doug Mellor played Santa Claus professionally for 50 years for commercial purposes only. Very rarely did he perform for children. During the late 1970s through the early 1990s, Mellor’s Santa modeling career took off. He appeared in print advertisements and television commercials for Sears, Jell-O, Archway Cookies, McDonalds, and several other top companies. Mellor also appeared numerous times on the cover of the Christmas issues of McCall’s magazine. At 5’5” tall, clean shaven and naturally slender in real life, Mellor padded his 155 pound frame up to a size 62 inch waist along with wearing “lifts” in his boots. His custom handmade yak hair wig, moustache and beard completed the perfect commercial Santa look.

JJaammeess EEddggaarr “The First Department Store Santa”

Brockton, Massachuetts 1843-1909


James Edgar was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1843. He arrived in Brockton in 1878 and eventually set up a dry goods store on Main Street. In 1890, he got the idea to dress up as Santa Claus based on an 1863 illustration of Santa by artist Thomas Nast. Within days, children from as far as Boston and Providence came by train to see Edgar as Santa. He initially hung around his department store, but over the years, he was known to walk around the streets of Brockton dressed as Santa during Christmas. Edgar will be best remembered as the world’s first known department store Santa, but he was also known for the sharing of his good fortune. He helped pay for many children’s medical care, offered jobs to youths in need and sponsored shelter for the homeless.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh,_Scotland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence,_Rhode_Island

GGeeoorrggee SSmmiitthh “Small Town Santa with a Big Heart”

Jackson, Tennessee 1910-1993


For 60 years, George Smith was the one and only Santa that most families in Jackson, Tennessee ever knew. Smith’s reign as Santa Claus began with family, then spread to friends, then on to include every club, church, school and nursing home in town. He appeared annually in the Jackson Christmas Parade for over a decade and made sure that every child got that special wave from Santa. Smith was also an outstanding citizen who was involved in many Santa like services to others far beyond his role during the Christmas Season. He served as Jackson’s Mayor for 16 years and was involved with numerous organizations such as the Salvation Army, United Fund, Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America. Smith was selected as Jackson’s Man of the Year in 1974. Whether he was in his red suit or in a business suit, George Smith freely gave of himself to his community just as a true Santa does.

CCaarrll HHaannsseenn “Santa Trainer for Santa’s Village, Inc.”

Scotts Valley, California 1904-1998


Carl Hansen, a native of Denmark, was the official “Santa Trainer” for Santa’s Village Corporation’s three theme parks in the 1950s and 60s. As Santa, Hansen opened up the Skyforest, California Santa’s Village in 1955 and the Scotts Valley, California’s version in 1957. He also trained the Santas for the Dundee, Illinois Park. Hansen is credited with creating a year round persona that was original and is still used today. Most children of the day only saw Santa in a department store, but at Santa’s Village, Hansen was seen in Santa’s House, in the reindeer barn, in the Candy Kitchen with Mrs. Claus, and in the Mill Wheel Workshop building toys. Hansen used the props available to create a startling realism to the role. In 1956 Hansen wrote training manuals for the parks on how to be a year round Santa which included what Santa does on a day-to-day basis and what his life is like when it is not the Christmas Season.

PPhhiilllliipp LL.. WWeennzz “Santa from Santa’s Village”

Dundee, Illinois 1962-Current


If ever there was a man born to be Santa Claus it is Phillip L. Wenz. As a four-year-old child, he donned his first Santa outfit. By the time he was fourteen he was in his first parade and at the ripe old age of twenty-four, he became the year-round Santa Claus for the iconic Santa’s Village Theme Park in Dundee, Illinois. An association he has now had for more than twenty years. Wenz has appeared in nationally televised parades in Chicago and Houston, in TV commercials, and at some of the nation’s largest corporate and civic holiday events. His resume also includes work in Santa Claus, Indiana at the historic Candy Castle, consulting on Christmas programs, and being a published author. He is considered a leading authority and historian on the Santa Claus legend, history, and folklore. Wenz is, bar none, one of the most experienced Santas in the world and is the creator of the Santa Claus Oath, which is widely accepted by Santa portrayers across the globe.

RRaayy JJoocchhuumm “Keeping Santa’s Traditions”

St. Henry, Indiana 1916-1992


Replacing a legend is often a very hard thing to do, even in the world of Santa Claus. Ray Jochum began playing Santa Claus at the age of 22 in 1938 in St. Henry, Indiana. He was widely known as Santa in the communities around Santa Claus, Indiana but was never known nationally like Santa Jim Yellig. Jochum appeared in parades in Huntingburg, Jasper, and numerous other communities in Dubois County, Indiana. When Santa Claus Land started closing at Christmas in 1978, Jochum filled the gap by using his own farm and creating a themed attraction during the Holiday Season. His wife, Frances, would prepare as many as 6,000 cookies to be given out to the children that would visit Santa Claus at “Christmas at Lone Oak Farm.” After Yellig’s death in 1984, Ray Jochum became the official Santa Claus of Santa Claus Land. Jochum worked with the park until his death in 1992 at the age of 75.

GGeeoorrggee MMccCClliinnttoocckk “Santa at the Rim of the World”

Lake Arrowhead, California 1898-1989


When George McClintock retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1960, he took a part-time job at Santa’s Village Theme Park in Sky Forest, California as an electrician. A few years later in 1963, McClintock was asked and accepted an offer to become the park’s official Santa Claus. A position he would hold for nearly seventeen years. During his years with Santa’s Village, McClintock worked daily in the park along with appearing in local and regional Christmas parades. In 1967, he appeared on the cover of a children’s Christmas album featuring folk singer Walt Jacobs. McClintock retired from Santa’s Village in 1979 moved away from the San Bernardino Mountains. McClintock passed away in 1989 at the age of 91. To the multitudes of visitors to Santa’s Village in Sky Forest during the 1960s and 1970s, George McClintock was “the Santa” of the mountain area known as the “Rim of the World.”

NNaattee DDooaann “The Original Santa of Bay City”

Bay City, Michigan 1919-1997


Nate Doan’s generosity, kindness, and warmth were manifested for over 50 years in what many have called his true persona, Santa Claus. His dedication to the community of Bay City, Michigan is evidenced by his long role as Santa at Goddeyne’s Sporting Goods and Hardware Store from 1954 until the store closed in 1987. Doan, along with his wife Mary Ida, became an institution in the region as one of the first Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus teams. Together they appeared at many civic and private Christmas events in Michigan and across the nation. Doan was a 1953 graduate of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School and would become the Dean of the School in 1966 after Howard’s death. In 1967, Doan and his wife taught special Santa classes in Australia. In the early 1990s, the Doan’s founded the Santa Claus House in Bay City for the children of the area. Nate Doan’s Santa and community work was honored in the Congressional Record of the 103rd Congress.

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