HomeMy WebLinkAbout1851-12 - First Pioneer Christmas CelebrationNelson girls and Bigelow boys ice skate on Codiga Pond.
Tukwila Historical Society
Practical gifts
for pioneers
BY LOUISE JONES-BROWN
TUKWILA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Christmas in the late 1800s and early 1900s was a simple
celebration including traditional activities such as bak-
ing and cooking as well as visiting in each other's homes.
The first Duwamish River pioneer Christmas celebration
in 1851 was celebrated by settlers Henry Van Asselt and
Samuel Maple, who joined their new neighbors at Alki,
with the men providing wild game so everyone could en-
joy a feast
Most local residents set up a Christmas tree between
Dec. 20 and 24. If you were fortunate enough to have a
covered front porch, the tree was put outside since candles
were used to light the tree. Electric tree lights first used
in 1895 were not readily available until the mid-1900s. A
bucket of water and rags were kept nearby just in case the
tree caught fire.
Gifts were handmade or inexpensive and simple items
with emphasis on practical. Most family gifts such as toys
were given as a group gift to be shared, such as sleds and
ice skates.
The winter is unpredictable in the Duwamish Valley; but
in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the weather was very cold
and snowy, as demonstrated in the photo shared by Mabel
Nelson. The 1915-circa photo is the Nelson girls and Big-
elow boys ice skating on Codiga Pond. Bonfires burned
for light and warming during night skating. Local resident
Roy Henderson would set up a hot-dog stand for the skat-
ers.
A Happy Holidays to all of you from the Tukwila His-
torical Society.
Tukwila 's Story is written by Louise Jones -Brown, acting
director of the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center.