The horses knew to go around the tree, but did the auto drivers?

From the early nineteenth century into to the 1930s, Mansfield put their Christmas tree where it could be seen best.

Community Christmas Trees are a Mansfield tradition

by Steve McCloskey

Anyone traveling through downtown Mansfield since Thanksgiving can’t help but notice things look a little bit more holiday-like this year.

There’s been a great deal of positive comments made about the upgraded Christmas lights and the addition of community Christmas trees in the downtown district. Both have added greatly to the sense of community and holiday spirit.

When Kathy Barrett and her recently formed Fourth of July committee were looking for fund-raising ideas for next summer’s fireworks show, the concept of offering Christmas trees to be decorated by downtown businesses and organizations was suggested.

The committee loved and quickly implemented the concept, but didn’t realize this new idea was actually a continuation of a tradition perhaps as old as Mansfield itself.

Over the span of its lifetime, Mansfield had often had some type of community Christmas tree. In the early years, the unveiling of the Christmas tree was an event held at every church with church members and the community invited to participate. One of those churches – actually two – were housed in the current home of the History Center, serving as the home first to the Methodist and then Universalist congregations.

After the turn of the century, somebody came up with a real traffic-stopper for the tree location. The community decided to place their Christmas tree where everyone would notice it – smack-dab in the middle of the then called Public Square.

Today we call it the traffic light at the intersection of Main Street and Wellsboro Street.

It’s hard to imagine now, but for a long span of time, a 30-foot Christmas tree was annually erected in the busiest intersection in the borough.

That didn’t present as much of a problem as you would think during the horse and buggy age, but when the automobile-era arrived, it started to become a safety, if not a convenience, issue. Despite its drawbacks, the community leaders kept the tradition at least into the 1930s. They even removed the traffic signal island at the intersection to erect the tree, requiring a full stop for traffic at all four entry points.

By the 1940s, the tree location changed to what is now known as First Citizens Community Bank and later on Main Street in front of the Twain Theater or Smythe Park as well as other places.

The History Center on Main Street is the oldest remaining location in the borough for a community Christmas tree display. We invite you to stop by with family and friends and look at our Christmas tree in front of the building that features photos of area citizens from the 1920s.

It is after all, a Mansfield tradition.

By Chester P. Bailey in the 1970s

Tucked away back between two old homes is the old Sherwood house. Built around 1842 by Clark Sherwood and later sold to Maltby Smith who had a clock shop there. Mr. Smith owned the first automobile in town. His horse stable was in the back and the structure is still there. (ed. note: Razed about five years ago.)

A well on the premises was so good that people came for their drinking water. The home was then sold to his sister, Mary Smith McConnell. Ed Wilson later bought the home and turned it into a tourist home. Later Earl Soper bought the home for an investment in 1962. In 1963 Bessie Howe Griffin bought the home and remodeled it. She now resides there.

Note: Bessie Howe was a cousin of Eva and Lena Howe, the late owners of the Howe home at 304 N. Main Street.

Editor's notes: This is now a rental unit with multiple apartments.

1910 census: J. Maltbie and Sarah Sherwood Smith Family - Brother-in-law and sister of Clark Sherwood.

1920 census: Leonard and Inez Coles Brunswick Family

1930 census: Edgar and Margaret Leisenring Wilson Family

The next issue of our magazine for members includes several articles written by people who personally observed our town in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Frank Root and Charlie Redfield write about our early newspapers. Henry Johnson validates the moving of a building from one location to another. Ed Coles tells us who lived where, street by street, and Edith Shaw Jones takes us to Washington, D.C. with her Mansfield High School students on the eve of World War One. Harry Taylor continues his story of Mansfield that we have been presenting is serial form for several issues. Make sure your membership is current. You won't want to miss this one. It will be ready to mail shortly.

For the New Year. Consider a gift membership. Members will receive our 40 page printed journal by mail 4 to 6 times a year with new articles that have never been researched before and outstanding photos to illustrate. Share your love of the Mansfield area with your friends and family.

It's the only way we can continue offering our important services to the community.

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The History Center

83 N. Main Street

Mansfield PA 16933

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