This week’s chosen artifact is a 1933 photograph depicting members of the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department repairing used or broken toys. For many years, in the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday, area residents donated used toys or other child-related gifts to their local fire department, whose members then repaired or refurbished the items so they could be given to families who might not otherwise be able to provide Christmas gifts to their children.

A few more thoughts about Christmases past in Cuyahoga Falls … Did you ever wonderful what Fallsites were doing at Christmastime a century ago?

In 1920, many Cuyahoga Falls residents were also thinking of those less fortunate than themselves, especially those children who were wards of the Summit County Children’s Home. According to newspaper accounts, the residents of the local sanitarium in Cuyahoga Falls made 70 dolls to be given to be given to the Children’s Home. The children at the Congregational Church donated more than 100 toys to the Home and also made Christmas stockings filled with toys, candy and nuts. Students taking shop class in the Falls schools made hand-made toys for the Children’s Home, while other Falls residents contributed items ranging from slides and rocking horses to jump ropes and kiddie cars.

While thinking of others, Fallsites also found time for cherished Christmas traditions – including gathering by the community Christmas tree on Broad Boulevard a few days prior to Christmas for an evening of fun and festivities. According to newspaper accounts, the tree was decorated with red, blue and green lights and topped with a brightly lit white star. To add a touch of whimsy, the tree was also decorated with large balloons.

At 7 p.m., the church bells began ringing and a local band played holiday music. In what was surely a highlight for the children at the event, Santa Claus arrived in a truck and passed out gifts for all the children.

Sounds like a fun night!