Enjoy Vintage Video Memories From Santa Claus Land in Southern IN

As a kid, my sister and I felt like southern Indiana was just an extension of Owensboro. You know how kids think. And one of our favorite parts of that "extension" was across the river in Spencer County.

Santa Claus Land Before It Became Holiday World

Then there is Santa Claus IN, arguably the best Christmas town on the planet. You cannot visit Holiday World in December, as it is closed for the season. But that wasn't the case in its previous incarnation, Santa Claus Land. Back when that was the popular theme park's name, it was a fraction of its current size but no less endearing. It was a Christmas tradition for my family to visit during the holiday season. One such visit happened when I was in middle school. It was December 23rd, 1978, and it was C-O-O-O-LD. The rides were closed then, but you could still enjoy an awesome lunch at the Kringle Cafe, and we did. I remember it being a buffet unless I'm remembering incorrectly.

A 1970s-Era Santa Claus Land Commercial

Anyway, all these memories came flooding back when I saw this old Santa Claus Land commercial:

And I just about flipped out when I saw this old 8mm home movie. In it, you'll see a man pose by the statue of the woman who resembles Mae West. Somewhere, we have a picture of my dad in the same pose.

Santa Claus Land Home Movies

Those are some awesome Santa Claus Land memories from the 1970s. This old home movie takes us back to the 1960s:

That old entrance, those old statues, that restaurant—Christmas nostalgia is overwhelming me as I write this.

Look closely during your next Holiday World visit, and you'll still see some remnants of Santa Claus Land, but not many. At least we'll always have these great memories.