For pioneers of the West, Christmas provided an occasion to rejoice in an often isolated and harsh environment. Life on the Western Frontier was hard and unpredictable. There were often terrible blizzards and cold winter winds. Even with these hardships Christmas was always the greatest day of the year. For most forts on the Western Frontier, Christmas allowed for traditional barriers to come down as drink was allowed, and food was the best that personal funds and local resources could provide. Festivities such as concerts, plays, sleigh rides, and dances were not uncommon, as even mess halls were dressed up for the occasion. Because of the limited resources isolated westerners had to be resourceful and creative when it came to Christmas. Often trees even evergreens were scarce, in some cases every available tree would have been cut to supply fuel for the post. At Fort Laramie it was mandated that a 1,200 cord wood reserve be kept on hand at all times. Some settlers brought in cottonwood branches; others gathered sagebrush, depending on what was at hand. Resourceful pioneers would even fastened scraps of wood together in the shape of a tree. Although scarce at times Christmas trees were decorated with fruits, nuts, pine cones, and small homemade gifts. Tiny hand stitched dolls and children’s mittens added a personal touch, and treats such as candies and sugar cookies delighted children. Decorations were cleverly devised from pictures clipped out of magazines, old buttons, painted cigar butts, bits of lace and ribbon, egg shells, strings of apples/berries, and paper chains. Mrs. Elizabeth Burt, wife of Captain Andrew S. Burt wrote of Christmas at her home, Fort Laramie, in 1866: “As Christmas approached we made as great an effort as possible to enter into the spirit of the season. We made different kinds of candy… Judge Carter had brought a small supply of gifts in his ox train...The stockings were hung in the, wide open fireplace, down which Santa Claus could descend with ease. My six Sunday school scholars were made happy by homemade candy, ice cream, cookies and doughnuts.” Christmas dinner was always the meal most often looked forward to. At Fort Laramie the holidays saw several social events with feasting, drinking and receptions being enjoyed by nearly all members of the garrison. Throughout the Western Frontier pioneers would celebrate the holiday by meeting with family and friends, shooting off their guns, banging on tin pans in noisy processions and singing carols. A dance were often held where all could exchange greetings, partake in traditional eggnog and holiday goodies, not to mention dancing to the polkas, waltz and reels until midnight. Regardless of where one was along the Western Frontier Christmas became the quintessential holiday. The clever way in which pioneers brought holiday celebrations to the west is a sign of their wanting to make a home, no matter where they found that home to be.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:17:52 +0000
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