MOVING HISTORY FORWARD: The Community Christmas Tree tradition
An artist’s rendition of the Coeur d’Alene’s Community Christmas Tree. This drawing was at the center of a full-page Christmas Card in the Coeur d’Alene Press to the people of the Idaho Panhandle on Christmas Eve of 1930 from the businessmen, merchants, professional men, and citizens of Coeur d’Alene. The caption encouraged them to visit Coeur d’Alene, get acquainted with everyone, and to see the beautiful tree.
Courtesy of MUSEUM OF NORTH IDAHO
A photo printed on the front page of the December 23, 1952, edition of the Coeur d’Alene Press. The cutline read: “Come All Ye Faithful - CAMP FIRE GIRLS SPREAD CHRISTMAS 'GOOD WILL'”. Shown at the base of the community yule tree is the new Nativity Scene arranged for by the local Council of United Church Women. Several locals contributed toward the project.
Photo by CONNIE TREMBLY via Museum of North Idaho
I recently did research for the Shotwell family’s history-themed Christmas show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Among the long-standing Lake City yuletide traditions I explored was the Coeur d’Alene’s Community Christmas tree. Here is what I found.
In 1917, Huntington Taylor, manager of the Edward Rutledge Lumber Mill, started the tradition by having a tall tree erected at Fourth and Sherman. On Christmas Eve that same year, the base of the tree became home to another tradition — a caroling program performed by groups of students from the city’s schools and churches.
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