Santa's Village near Lake Arrowhead 50 year old TV Commercials

The idea for Santa's Village stemmed from a Saturday Evening Post article about a similar park called "North Pole" in New York Crestline resident Glenn Holland, struck by inspiration, sketched out his vision of a whimsical Christmas wonderland in 1953
Construction on Santa's Village began in 1954 on land leased from the Henck family Local artisans and craftsmen were involved in creating the park's unique charm Village opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1955, predating Disneyland by about six weeksThis charming Christmas-themed park quickly became a major tourist attraction in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The park thrived for over four decades, offering families a chance to experience the magic of Christmas year-round. Enchanting features included life-size gingerbread houses, workshops depicting toy production, and of course, meet-and-greets with Santa himself. It was even a popular first job for many local teenagers. Santa's Village experienced significant growth throughout the 1960s. Notable additions included the Polar Dome Ice Area and an expanded magic train ride The park drew visitors not just for Christmas magic, but also for special events and celebrity appearances.
By the late 1990s, economic factors and competition from larger theme parks made it difficult for Santa's Village to maintain profitability. The park closed in 1998, leaving a void in the community.