From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:
With the First World War and the restrictions of the Spanish flu a thing of the past, Canadians were feeling a lessening of anxiety about the future as the Christmas season approached.
Many people forecasted it would be the merriest Christmas since 1913. As a result, the retail shops here in the Sault were in full swing, plying their wares and reacting to demand from consumers willing to splurge a little now that basic food and clothing needs were being met.
The “Roaring Twenties” were on the threshold, which brought a period of rapid economic growth and the dawn of a new consumer society. One of the big events of Christmas 1920 was the opening of the L.R. Steel Co. Limited 5¢ to $1 store on Dec. 22, 1920.
The Old St. Charles Hotel building was remodelled and additions were added. They advertised at their grand opening ‘an opportunity to purchase some of the greatest value in the history of merchandising in this city.’ On offer were Sunkist navel oranges three for 15¢ (a staple for children’s stockings), granulated sugar 10 pounds for $1, and handkerchiefs 5¢.
Advertisements of the time found in the Sault Star give a glimpse of what the “hot” presents of 1920 were.
For instance, H.J Hollinrake at 622 Queen advertised ‘paralyzing prices on women’s apparel’ such as the $40 fox set (a satin-lined red fox muff and stole), and a hamster squirrel child’s fur coat for $39. A French beaver coat could be under the tree for $95. French ivory and ebony items were on offer at the White Drug Store at 796 Queen St. E. for that special lady.
Popular gifts for men were razors, specially wrapped cigars, and also men’s dress shirts available for $2.19 at the Man Store Ltd. at 550 Queen St. Popular household gifts were vacuums, appliances, and floor model radios.
For the children, dolls were advertised for 98¢ at Bryans at 642 Queen. Toboggans ($2.75 and up) and skis ($1.90 and up) were available from Edwin Keyes Hardware Merchant at 264 Queen St. Children were also drawn to the magic of the huge electric model railway brightening the window of the Cochrane Hardware store at the corner of Queen and Elgin Streets.
And what Christmas would be complete without the traditional holiday meal? Turkeys could be obtained at the Christmas market for 55¢ a pound. Plum pudding was 35¢ at J.J. St. James at John and Wellington, and roast lamb for 25¢ at Bras and Goude at 167 Gore Street.
There had been rising concern of a liquor shortage in the Sault, but locals had planned ahead and cellars were well stocked. It was reported that ‘people took no chances and made sure far in advance that they would have a supply.’
In addition to the many social and church gatherings, a highlight of the holiday season was the annual Public School concert in the Grand Opera House. Three hundred voices made up the children’s choir, and tickets were 35 and 50¢. Advertised as a highlight was a two-part song with five girl performers "each of a different nationality, now all being made into good Canadians."
Nature provided the perfect backdrop for the holiday season of 1920. Snow blanketed the region. Prior to about Dec. 20, a green Christmas had been in the forecast, but the cold weather finally came and created perfect conditions for such idyllic winter pastimes as skating on the St. Marys River near the rapids.
It wasn’t a wonderful life for everyone as Christmas approached in 1920.
On Dec. 22 it was announced that the Steel plant was to be closed for at least three weeks until new orders were procured. This affected a couple thousand men which of course would dampen their enjoyment of the holiday season.
Jobless and homeless men were also forced to ask for shelter at the local jail at the corner of Queen and East Street so that they would have a warm bed and a meal. It was noted that this was not unusual in the Sault, but that it was more prevalent in 1920.
Charities were kept busy providing help to the needy. A great deal of money was raised for the Santa Claus Fund by the Local Council of Women. Another notable charity was the Stocking Fund which raised finances to provide wool socks for the wards of the Children’s Shelter.
The Christmas season was also not without some controversy in 1920. A religious concert was planned at the Orpheum Theatre on a Sunday evening before Christmas. The stars of the show were to be the newly formed city band which consisted primarily of servicemen of WWI with vocals by W.H. Hugill.
The concert was cancelled after objections by the Ministerial Association. The city band was shocked that the ministers expressed disapproval of the concert as all the music planned was to be sacred in nature, and the performance would be in the evening, long after all Sunday services were over. After the ministers voiced their displeasure, the theatre could no longer be used for the concert.
The Christmas of 1920 in Sault Ste. Marie appears to have been a time when people were happy to put their worries aside for a brief time and just embrace the wonders of the season with excitement and optimism.
Each week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and its Archives provides SooToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past.
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