Eight Vintage Photos of Christmas in Memphis

Eight Vintage Photos of Christmas in Memphis

Check out these eight vintage photos of Memphis at Christmas from the digital archives of the Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center.

Here's Santa on Main St. in the 1930s:

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center
 

Here's a majestic reindeer decoration on Main Street, also in the 1930s.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

I can't write a better caption for this than the one that came with the photo: "Employees at the Sites & Ames' Fulton Market show off their Christmas display, which incorporates their meat."

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

In this undated photo, Memphians prepare Christmas presents for children.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

This is a photo from a Christmas party in Memphis, circa 1944. I recommend enlarging the photo to check out the complete range of human expression going on here, from smiles, to boredom, to secrets being told, to some of the greatest side-eye I've ever seen (from the woman standing on the far right).

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Here's Santa, greeting kids (including a few who look kind of terrified) at Goldsmith's.

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Here's a different Santa, getting kisses from two unidentified ladies:

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center.

And subsequently terrifying them with his joyous leaping:

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Check out more vintage photos of Memphis in the Memphis Public Library's digital archives.

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Alyssa
ahahah these are amazing!! I love vintage pictures... especially hilarious ones
December 13, 2012 10:50am