Christmas City USA Rupert, Idaho
There is no place like it on the whole planet.
Beginning in 1987 Rupert actually "owns" the title "Christmas City, USA"
and no one else can have it.
And what makes Christmas City, USA so special?
How does Rupert keep Christmas well?
What is all the fuss about?
Well, have you got a minute?
There is no place like it on the whole planet.
Beginning in 1987 Rupert actually "owns" the title "Christmas City, USA"
and no one else can have it.
And what makes Christmas City, USA so special?
How does Rupert keep Christmas well?
What is all the fuss about?
Well, have you got a minute?
The beautiful Historic Square sets the town apart from South Central Idaho where most celebrations, such as the Fourth of July, Fish Fry, Potato Fest, and Christmas celebrations take place. Rupert became, officially, "Christmas City, USA" in November, 1987. The City is decorated beautifully with Christmas lights through the town and square, beginning the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. These are paid for from the proceeds of a "Christmas in July" breakfast the end of June to kick-off the Fourth of July Celebration.
When I was a kid we would always go into town to watch Santa arrive on the Rupert fire engine and flip the switch to light up the town square with Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving. It was a sight to behold. There was darkness one minute and then the very next moment, brilliant lights were activated that took my breath away. Christmas music was playing over loud speakers and it was always a very exciting event to attend. This event officially started the Christmas season and we went into high anticipation mode from that day forward.
I can still see in my minds eye the Rupert town square of the 1960s. Back when I was a kid, it was a real going concern. On the south side of the Rupert square were two "large" department stores. JCPenney and Idaho Department Store. If they didn't have it, you didn't need it. There were two drug stores on that side of the square as well. One had a soda fountain and it was a treat to get something to eat there. There was also a fabric store and a shoe store.
The west side of the store had a bank, Kings variety store (with that distinctive plastic smell that I love!) another drug store, another shoe store and a home decor, flower store. I can't remember that name of it. Anyone, anyone? It had the most lovely Christmas displays each year. At the back of the store was a Christmas village and the best part of all is that is smelled just like Christmas! This was before highly scented candles and such were available. It had such ambiance and you could just feel Christmas by going in that store. There was also a bar called the Drift Inn on the west side of the street (and as kids we use to call it - Drift Inn, Stagger Out.)
The grand Wilson theater was located across the street from the bar on an angle street and we spend many happy holiday nights watching the latest movie at that theater.
On the north side of the square was the swanky and upscale store called Ropers. If you could afford to buy something in Ropers, you were really rich. Next to Ropers was Stocks music store, a jewelry store and Hogans western leather store. Further on down was a photography store called Sinclair Shutters and a pizza place called Grizzly Bear pizza. Another bar was located on the corner of the north side.
Turning east, that side of the square had a small grocery store where we use to walk from the junior high school and buy candy during lunch hour. We'd look at the pickled pigs feet in jars and scream with disgust. Red Hot Tamales were new to the candy world and they were shaped like a pill. I would eat them sometimes and pretend that I was being cool and experimenting with a drug! I digress...
Catmulls furniture store was located on the east side of the square. It took up a lot of space and they sold not only furniture but appliances and other household necessities. There were a few other sundry stores on the east side and at the end of the corner was a liquor store.
These stores were our whole world. If you needed something and these stores didn't have it, then you would have to travel to neighboring Burley or to Twin Falls to make your purchase. We often did our of town shopping in Utah when we visited the grandparents to enjoy a larger selection. For the main, I think our little town use to have most of the things we actually needed. The choices were few, but they were practical.
In the center of the town square was a large park with swings and playground equipment, a water fountain, benches, and lots and lots of trees. A little house would be set up for Santa and a kid could go visit him and sit on his lap on some Saturdays and evenings. It was a trilling time.
The sights, the sounds, the smells and mostly the good will that abounded are what made Christmas City, USA so special. The people in the community of about 5,000 mostly knew each other and there was a good feeling there. The streets leading in and out of town were all lighted with Christmas lights. There is truly no place like Christmas City, USA!
(Here is a little more I've written about growing up in Rupert.)
When I was a kid we would always go into town to watch Santa arrive on the Rupert fire engine and flip the switch to light up the town square with Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving. It was a sight to behold. There was darkness one minute and then the very next moment, brilliant lights were activated that took my breath away. Christmas music was playing over loud speakers and it was always a very exciting event to attend. This event officially started the Christmas season and we went into high anticipation mode from that day forward.
I can still see in my minds eye the Rupert town square of the 1960s. Back when I was a kid, it was a real going concern. On the south side of the Rupert square were two "large" department stores. JCPenney and Idaho Department Store. If they didn't have it, you didn't need it. There were two drug stores on that side of the square as well. One had a soda fountain and it was a treat to get something to eat there. There was also a fabric store and a shoe store.
The west side of the store had a bank, Kings variety store (with that distinctive plastic smell that I love!) another drug store, another shoe store and a home decor, flower store. I can't remember that name of it. Anyone, anyone? It had the most lovely Christmas displays each year. At the back of the store was a Christmas village and the best part of all is that is smelled just like Christmas! This was before highly scented candles and such were available. It had such ambiance and you could just feel Christmas by going in that store. There was also a bar called the Drift Inn on the west side of the street (and as kids we use to call it - Drift Inn, Stagger Out.)
The grand Wilson theater was located across the street from the bar on an angle street and we spend many happy holiday nights watching the latest movie at that theater.
On the north side of the square was the swanky and upscale store called Ropers. If you could afford to buy something in Ropers, you were really rich. Next to Ropers was Stocks music store, a jewelry store and Hogans western leather store. Further on down was a photography store called Sinclair Shutters and a pizza place called Grizzly Bear pizza. Another bar was located on the corner of the north side.
Turning east, that side of the square had a small grocery store where we use to walk from the junior high school and buy candy during lunch hour. We'd look at the pickled pigs feet in jars and scream with disgust. Red Hot Tamales were new to the candy world and they were shaped like a pill. I would eat them sometimes and pretend that I was being cool and experimenting with a drug! I digress...
Catmulls furniture store was located on the east side of the square. It took up a lot of space and they sold not only furniture but appliances and other household necessities. There were a few other sundry stores on the east side and at the end of the corner was a liquor store.
These stores were our whole world. If you needed something and these stores didn't have it, then you would have to travel to neighboring Burley or to Twin Falls to make your purchase. We often did our of town shopping in Utah when we visited the grandparents to enjoy a larger selection. For the main, I think our little town use to have most of the things we actually needed. The choices were few, but they were practical.
In the center of the town square was a large park with swings and playground equipment, a water fountain, benches, and lots and lots of trees. A little house would be set up for Santa and a kid could go visit him and sit on his lap on some Saturdays and evenings. It was a trilling time.
The sights, the sounds, the smells and mostly the good will that abounded are what made Christmas City, USA so special. The people in the community of about 5,000 mostly knew each other and there was a good feeling there. The streets leading in and out of town were all lighted with Christmas lights. There is truly no place like Christmas City, USA!
(Here is a little more I've written about growing up in Rupert.)
2 comments:
I do think Rupert does the Christmas season up right. I love your little-girl memories of the season there, Vonnie.
I cant believe you remember all of the stores, I couldnt, but you have brought them to mind. What a great place for Christmas. im glad you remember it all and have such a penchant for writting.
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