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Santa Claus Lane is a part of Christmas for generations of McCook residents
by Gene O. Morris

Talk about tradition. Every year since the late 40s or early 50s children in the McCook area have shared a Christmas tradition with their parents and grandparents. It's a simple thing, but it's a delight to behold, reminding people of all ages what makes the Christmas season special.

The common bond — linking McCook residents for the past six decades — is Santa Claus Lane, a series of 42 brightly painted Christmas scenes which grace the Norris Avenue islands during the holiday season.

A McCook Daily Gazette editorial summed up the fascination with Santa Claus Lane, saying: "Even at their advanced age — now in excess of half a century — the picture boards on Santa Lane serve their purpose, reminding young and old of the glorious story of Christ's birth and Santa's gift-giving."

The annual display touches the heart of the Christmas story and stands as the reason that the old signs, some painted in the 1940s, remain enduring symbols.

The scenes, originally painted by W.K. Swanson and Carol Orrin of Swanson Sign Company, have been close to ruin on several occasions. Each time, a caring volunteer has stepped forward to refurbish the signs. First it was the late Norma Rose Strunk, who took on the task in the '70s. More recently, it was Debbon McConnell, who restored the signs in the early 2000s.

The 42 signboards are spaced amid the nine islands which stretch from the F Street to O Street intersections on Norris Avenue. At times, the old lane signs come in for criticism. "Sadly," a newspaper letter writer declared several years ago, "Santa Claus Lane has been allowed to deteriorate to a point that approaches embarrassment."

Soon afterwards, McConnell stepped forward to repaint the signs. The picture boards are now stored by the city and put in place each Christmas season by crews from the Work Ethic Camp.

Are the signs outdated? Perhaps. But maybe that's a good thing because the signs reflect an earlier, and simpler, time in America. In the words of another newspaper letter writer, "McCook is a wonderful place to live and Santa Claus Lane is a traditional part of how we celebrate Christmas."

To find out why, drive along the islands in the dark of night. Turn on your car's bright lights. Share the moment with parents, grandparents, and — most especially — children. You may not be transformed, but you will be reminded of why Christmas is such a special, timeless season.

A former editor of the McCook Gazette, Gene Morris rights about life in Nebraska from his home in McCook.

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