Exploring the rich history of Christmas celebrations in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Carlsbad, known as the Pearl of the Pecos, has always had a special place in its heart for Christmas. From the late 1800s to the present day, this desert city in southeast New Mexico has embraced the holiday season with local events, shopping specials, and a sense of togetherness. By delving into the Carlsbad Current-Argus archives, we can take a fascinating journey through time and explore how Christmas has been celebrated in the Cavern City throughout the decades.
1880s: Simple Pleasures and Thoughtful Gifts
In the 1880s, Carlsbad reveled in the simpler joys of Christmas. Newspaper clippings from the era reveal how Civil War veterans like Ulysses S. Grant celebrated the holiday season. While Confederate General Robert E. Lee enjoyed formal ceremonies, Grant’s Christmas and Thanksgiving were spent in soldier camps, with turkeys sent by thoughtful patriots from the North. The Eddy Argus also reported on local lives, sharing the story of Judge Nymeyer receiving an ear trumpet as a Christmas gift from an admiring friend.
1900s: Christmas at Sea and Musical Delights
In the early 1900s, an editorial by Admiral Bob Evans titled “Christmas at Sea” recounted his experiences celebrating Christmas on the ocean. The story, set during the Civil War, highlighted how even amidst the excitement of combat, the sailors managed to decorate the mastheads of their ships with Christmas green, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the season. Meanwhile, the Carlsbad Current-Argus featured updates on the lives of local residents, including Mrs. Virginia Coffman, who was busy preparing for Christmas music at the Episcopal church.
1920s: The Roaring Twenties and Christmas Greetings
The Roaring Twenties brought an economic boom to Carlsbad, as evidenced by advertisements in the Carlsbad Current. In a December 1922 edition, local businesses like Pratt-Smith Hardware Co. and plumber H.A. Bock extended Christmas greetings to their customers, reflecting the prosperity of the era.
1930s: Festivities and Christmas Dinners
In the 1930s, the Carlsbad Current-Argus featured a section called “Of Interest to Women,” which covered various Christmas festivities. The Business and Professional Women’s Club hosted an annual Christmas party, while Mr. and Mrs. R.U. Boyd hosted a Christmas dinner. The newspaper also highlighted a “roof garden dance” at Hotel Artesia and a performance by the Toy Symphony Orchestra, a group of child musicians who delighted their mothers with their talents.
1940s: Christmas in the Midst of War
With World War II raging, the Christmas coverage in the Carlsbad Current-Argus was marked by the war and its impact. Pope Pius appealed for the end of the conflict in a December 1943 edition, while another story detailed an Allied attack on the Pas-De-Calais “rocket-gun coast” on Christmas Day. The war cast a shadow over the festivities, but the spirit of Christmas endured.
1960s: Vietnam War and Christmas Trees
Amid the Vietnam War, the Carlsbad Current-Argus featured a poignant photo in 1967 of two Vietnamese girls receiving artificial Christmas trees. The caption explained that real Christmas trees did not grow well in Vietnam’s climate, highlighting the challenges faced by those celebrating the holiday in a war-torn country. In 1969, the war’s “post-Christmas lull” was interrupted by a U.S. forces attack on an enemy camp in Cambodia, underscoring the ongoing conflict.
1980s: Cold War Tensions and Christmas Buffets
The political climate of the 1980s, marked by the Cold War, found its way into the Carlsbad Current-Argus. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega accused U.S. President Ronald Reagan of seeking a “War at Christmas” in a 1985 edition. Despite these tensions, the newspaper also advertised a festive $3.65 buffet at the Stevens Inn, reflecting the spirit of celebration during the holiday season.
2000s: Christmas Amidst Controversy
The turn of the millennium brought its own set of controversies. In 2006, a column by Editor Ned Cantwell highlighted the “war on Christmas” as Christian lawyers prepared to fight for the preservation of Christmas traditions. The article reflected the tense political climate of the time, where even the celebration of Christmas became a subject of debate.
2020s: Adapting to a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to Christmas celebrations in Carlsbad in 2020. The famous Christmas on the Pecos boat rides, which had delighted visitors for decades, had to be altered due to restrictions on public gatherings. However, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce found innovative ways to keep the tradition alive, offering virtual boat ride experiences through videos. In 2021, as the pandemic subsided, live boat rides resumed, bringing joy and holiday cheer back to the community.
Conclusion:
Carlsbad’s love for Christmas has endured through the centuries, despite the challenges of war, economic fluctuations, and pandemics. From the simpler pleasures of the 1880s to the complex political climate of recent decades, the city has found ways to celebrate and come together during the holiday season. As we reflect on the rich history of Christmas in Carlsbad, we are reminded of the resilience and enduring spirit of the community, which continues to embrace the magic of Christmas year after year.
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