By MARY WEAVER
RIPPEY, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2018 – Let’s make a trip back to Christmastime, 68 years ago. At that time, this writer knew that Santa Claus would be coming and delivering presents to our house on Christmas Eve.
I have vivid memories of visiting the Lauver Hardware store on Main Street of Rippey. It was a two-story building, but the second floor was actually a balcony with railing similar to a picket fence. The floor only extended about six feet from the walls. At Christmas, the balcony had toys, lots of toys, which could be easily viewed from the first floor.
I can recall scooters, pull wagons, tricycles, bicycles, large dolls with their eyes open as they were standing, along with huge soft furry teddy bears that peered down on me when I went in with my parents.
That year Santa Claus brought me a record player. A one-speed turntable housed in a dark green lizard skin cover. It could be closed like a suitcase with an ivory colored handle, and easily transported. It was just like one I had seen at Lauver’s store.
For the adults, televisions were available, along with refrigerators, and automatic washers and dryers, and even a “deep freezer.”
It was a time of prosperity and joy for the 15,000 residents living in Greene County. World War II had ended five years earlier and though we were in the Korean conflict, at that time it was of minimal impact on most of the population.
The Jefferson Herald published on December 14, 1950, had 18 pages. There were numerous published letters to Santa Claus.
Santa actually arrived in the area by airplane at the Jefferson Airport, and was transported to town in the police chief’s car. He was available to meet children at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Christmas trees were available at Smith’s Fruit Market, at a cost of 98 cents and up, according to their ad. The Greene County Treasurer listed 26 new car registrations, along with the name of the individual and the make of the automobile.
A 16-inch Westinghouse TV was available at Lyon Electric at a cost of $349.95, which in our 2018 dollars would be approximately $3,500.
Maybe one of the most unique listings was from C.H. Daubendiek, manager of the Jefferson Telephone Company. In an add, he listed 200 names and phone numbers that had been added or changed since April. He suggested the ad be clipped and placed in your current phone book.
Social life and charitable giving were in place 68 years ago, and exemplified by an ad from the Beta Tau Delta sorority, which was sponsoring a Dec. 20 ball with a live band. Tickets to the event were $1 per person.
Movie goers were able to see “Annie Get your Gun” at the Iowa Theater in a continuous showing on Sunday afternoon. A price was not printed in the ad, but a former attendee has told me movies were 10 cents.
Greene County residents had a joyous Christmas in 1950, and the Greene County Historical Society wishes another for all here in 2018.
You can comment on this story in the space below here, or write directly to the columnist by email at mweaver235@gmail.com. The author, who lives outside Rippey, is an active member of the Greene County Historical Society.
Great article, Mary!
Jean Borgeson, Rippey, IA