The world of Christmas 95 years ago, 1930, was a very different place than it is now, and we at Webb Weekly thought it might be interesting to look back at that Christmas.
On Christmas Day 1930, noted Maestro Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra were featured on the stations of the National Broadcasting Company’s radio network playing Christmas and other classical musical offerings.
Locally, at Kline’s on the Square, they were selling electric train sets for $3.96, a velocipede for $3.25, a Dolly Ann Kitchen Set for $1.49, and a large pedal car for $2.35.
Lycoming Dry Goods was selling blanket bath robes for $2.98, dress shirts for $1.49, and women’s silk hosiery for 79¢, and roller skates for $1.69
L.L. Stearns was selling men’s raincoats from $2.95 to $8, men’s spats from $1.50 to $3, linen tablecloths from $2.95 to $ 10, and silk bedspreads from $2.98 to $16.
A headline on December 23 proclaimed “PP&L May Enter Natural Gas Field.” They applied to the Public Utility Commission to produce, distribute, and sell natural gas.
Playing at the Rialto Theater was “Big Money,” starring Robert Armstrong and James Gleason. At the Capitol Theater was “A Lady Surrenders” starring Conrad Nagel.
The “Great Depression” started in October 1929. Despite the economic hard times, the local newspaper, the Gazette and Bulletin, reported that the 1930 Christmas shopping season would be as good as the 1929 one for local merchants.
The Gazette and Bulletin of December 24, 1930, reported that Williamsport “has never been so illuminated for Christmas.” It said the Vallamont and Grampian sections of Williamsport were particularly bright and well-lit by Christmas lights. It also said the number of decorated Christmas trees was fully 50 percent more than in previous years.
Christmas festivities were marred locally on Christmas Day when two children were killed, and their parents were severely burned in a house fire in Montgomery. The dead were: Betty Jane Tilburg, four years old, and Abby Louise Tilburg, aged six, and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tilburg, were severely burned in the blaze at their Main Street home.
It was a happier time at Williamsport’s charitable institutions. The 108 staff members and residents of the Williamsport Home for the Friendless had a sumptuous Christmas dinner, and presents were given out as well. The 90 residents of the Williamsport City Home were given “a real old-fashioned Christmas.” The 95 people who spent the holiday at the Williamsport Hospital had a lovely Christmas as well, and Santa also delivered a new baby girl there.
The Salvation Army that year gave out 210 Christmas baskets that contained all the fixings for a good Christmas dinner.
The Salvation Army also presented a movie matinee at the Rialto Theater for the poor children and their families.
In 1930, John S. Fisher was Governor of Pennsylvania; Lycoming County President Judge was Harvey Whitehead; the current Lycoming County Commissioners were: Charles Rothfuss, Fred Applegate, and Joseph Nicely; Williamsport Mayor was Herbert T. Ames; Louis Russie was Chief of Police; and Michael Clark was Fire Chief.
Williamsport had a population of about 45,000.
We hope you enjoyed this look back at Christmas 95 years ago.
