Christmas Trees Downtown Santa Clara: A Community Holiday Tradition
🌟Step into the heart of old Downtown Santa Clara, where the holidays once transformed Franklin Street into a glowing ribbon of lights, garlands, and community spirit. For generations, local families donated the Christmas trees that stood proudly beside the old City Hall — a tradition that brought neighbors together and made the season unforgettable. This page brings those memories back to life.
🎄 Christmas Trees Downtown Santa Clara — A Holiday Tradition
Welcome back to Downtown Santa Clara! Today we’re taking a fast, festive trip down Franklin Street — the heart of our town’s holiday magic for generations.
Picture this: it’s late November in the 1940s. Garland arches stretch from Lafayette all the way to Lincoln. Lights are glowing. The whole town is buzzing. And right at Washington and Franklin, in front of the old City Hall, the community Christmas tree is going up — donated every year by a Santa Clara family. And yes… Teddy the bear is proudly perched at the top.
As you moved along Franklin, you’d pass Sprouse Reitz Five & Dime, Santa Clara Drug Store, Bondi’s Radio and TV, Angelo’s Market, Santa Clara Movie Theatre, Wilson’s Jewel Bakery, the Hobby Shop, and Bill’s Smoke Shop — all the places where neighbors gathered, swapped stories, and kicked off the season together.
Our research continues to uncover photos and memories from the families who helped bring Christmas to Franklin Street. We recently found a fourth image of the community‑donated trees — this one from December 1957 — and we’re excited to share it along with the stories behind it.
🎥 Downtown Santa Clara Holidays on Franklin Street.Â
A fast, festive look back at the community Christmas trees that once lit up Franklin Street in Downtown Santa Clara — donated by local families and remembered by generations. Watch the magic return.
Transcription from the first article asking for donations: Yule Tree in Place in Friday, December 6, 1957 San Jose Evening News page 6Â
Yule Tree In Place 1957
Santa Clara – The City has it Christmas tree, a spruce more that 20 feet high at the corner of Franklin and Washington streets next to the City Hall.
It came from the yard of a Campbell family who offered it to Santa Clara in the spirit of Christmas and because it was crowding other trees in the year.
The tree was donated by Mrs. Lenbre Plympton of 1248 Walter Ave., Campbell, and is about 13 years old.
Sherman Jackson, Santa Clara, electric department superintendent, said 16 calls were received in answer to the city’s plea for a community Christmas tree for the City Hall spot. He said his department had a hard time deciding which tree to accept.
Lights were strung on the tree Thursday.
📣 Share Your Santa Clara Christmas Story
We’re gathering memories, photos, and family stories from the residents who helped bring Christmas to Franklin Street — especially those who donated the community Christmas trees over the years. If your family contributed a tree, or if you have photos or holiday memories from Downtown Santa Clara, we’d love to include them in our ongoing history project. Your story is part of Santa Clara’s story.
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