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10 results for Christmas--History--Greenville
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Record #:
22845
Author(s):
Abstract:
Christmas was a lot different in the 1880s than it is today. In Greenville, merchants sold Florida oranges with other fruits, turkey, oysters and everyone's favorite--whiskey. Social activities of the day included the usual dances, balls, hops, and Germans, interspersed with late suppers, jousting tournaments, different religious celebrations, and bands with singers. In 1883, Col. Isaac A. Sugg, a local capitalist, bought all the fireworks in town and on Christmas Day gave them away to all the kids. There was a parade by the Rough and Ready Fire Company, serenaded by cornet and brass bands. The Post Office was even open for a short time on Christmas Day.
Record #:
22879
Author(s):
Abstract:
Christmas seems to have timeless celebrations. However, Christmas in 1890 was much different than it is today. Most of the celebrations occurred on December 23 and Christmas Eve while many businesses were very busy with plenty of customers getting items needed to have a joyful celebration. One local business firm called Young and Priddy cut a pumpkin. From six o'clock to eleven o'clock p.m., Evans Street was dazzled with a fireworks celebration. On Christmas Day only the Episcopal Church had services.
Record #:
22899
Author(s):
Abstract:
People in Greenville enjoyed various Christmas social activities eating oysters and turkey for dinner and blasting firecrackers. Other activities included dances, parties, and competitions. The Daily Reflector printed the December 24, 1894 news on pink paper to enhance the holiday spirit.
Record #:
22921
Author(s):
Abstract:
The article offers what the stores had for sale. In 1886 a shipment of oranges from Florida had two grapefruits, the first ever seen in Greenville. Cheap whiskey, wine and Syllabub, made from scuppernong wine and whipping crème, were the popular drinks. While eating oysters and turkey for Christmas dinner, people would enjoy various social activities with firecrackers blasting along with the fun. The social activities included dances, parties, late dinners and jousting competitions. One popular activity was decorating, using cardboard letters, holly, and evergreen to make ornaments and decorations. There were also Mummers and serenaders.
Record #:
23365
Author(s):
Abstract:
Greenville once enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most beautiful small towns in the South, especially during the holiday season. Early decorations were handmade and Christmas trees were put up on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Candles were only lit on the tree when there was a gathering of people to watch it. Electric Christmas lights started being used about 1916 and the Merchants Association made sure the downtown had decorations. In 1928, the Merchants Association began placing a 30 foot Christmas tree attached to wires over top the traffic island in the center of Five Points. Fire crackers, Roman candles and other fireworks turned the downtown into a battle zone and kept the fire department busy putting out fires on store awnings. There were “Mummers,” carolers, and choirs. In the early 1960’s, there was a nationwide Christmas radio broadcast from Greenville, NC, issuing a Tar Heel Christmas greeting to the country. There were always special Christmas programs at the County Home and the Prison unit north of the river.
Record #:
23386
Author(s):
Abstract:
Greenville once enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most beautiful small towns in the South, especially during the holiday season. Early decorations were handmade and Christmas trees were put up on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Candles were only lit on the tree when there was a gathering of people to watch it. Electric Christmas lights started being used about 1916 and the Merchants Association made sure the downtown had decorations. In 1928, the Merchants Association began placing a 30 foot Christmas tree attached to wires over top the traffic island in the center of Five Points. Fire crackers, Roman candles and other fireworks turned the downtown into a battle zone and kept the fire department busy putting out fires on store awnings. There were “Mummers,” carolers, and choirs. In the early 1960’s, there was a nationwide Christmas radio broadcast from Greenville, NC, issuing a Tar Heel Christmas greeting to the country. There were always special Christmas programs at the County Home and the Prison unit north of the river.
Record #:
23513
Author(s):
Abstract:
Christmas traditions of the past in Greenville included dances, balls and hops, late suppers, and jousting tournaments. Often on Christmas Eve, people would be out with firecrackers, tinhorns and drums, making noise and celebrating throughout the night. As part of a Christmas-time feast, a local table might include ham, barbecue, sausage, turkey, oysters, biscuits, oranges, apples, ice cream, eggnog and syllabub. Syllabub is a Southern drink, often served at Christmas gatherings, that was made of whipping cream and scuppernong wine.
Record #:
23690
Author(s):
Abstract:
Greenville once enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most beautiful small towns in the South, especially during the holiday season. Early decorations were handmade and Christmas trees were put up on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Candles were only lit on the tree when there was a gathering of people to watch it. Electric Christmas lights started being used about 1916 and the Merchants Association made sure the downtown had decorations. In 1928, the Merchants Association began placing a 30 foot Christmas tree attached to wires over top the traffic island in the center of Five Points. Fire crackers, Roman candles and other fireworks turned the downtown into a battle zone and kept the fire department busy putting out fires on store awnings. There were “Mummers,” carolers, and choirs. In the early 1960’s, there was a nationwide Christmas radio broadcast from Greenville, NC, issuing a Tar Heel Christmas greeting to the country. There were always special Christmas programs at the County Home and the Prison unit north of the river.
Record #:
23701
Author(s):
Abstract:
Greenville once enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most beautiful small towns in the South, especially during the holiday season. Early decorations were handmade and Christmas trees were put up on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Candles were only lit on the tree when there was a gathering of people to watch it. Electric Christmas lights started being used about 1916 and the Merchants Association made sure the downtown had decorations. In 1928, the Merchants Association began placing a 30 foot Christmas tree attached to wires over top the traffic island in the center of Five Points. Fire crackers, Roman candles and other fireworks turned the downtown into a battle zone and kept the fire department busy putting out fires on store awnings. There were “Mummers,” carolers, and choirs. In the early 1960’s, there was a nationwide Christmas radio broadcast from Greenville, NC, issuing a Tar Heel Christmas greeting to the country. There were always special Christmas programs at the County Home and the Prison unit north of the river.
Record #:
23728
Author(s):
Abstract:
Christmas in Greenville brought special dances at the Tobacco Warehouses and Carolina Club. Christmas traditions in the area also included concerts and parades, and Santa arrived by train.