New sign notes Albion as home of Santa Claus School
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new sign was put up today on Route 98 across from the Don Davis car dealership that notes Albion is the home of Charles W. Howard and a Santa Claus School that still bears his name.
After Howard’s death in 1966, the school moved to Michigan. Howard remains a revered figure in the Santa Claus community for his efforts to establish standards for Santa’s wardrobe and interaction with the public.
The top photo shows Michael Neidert (right), an Albion Highway Department motor equipment operator, and Clarence Winkelmann, a volunteer with the Albion Betterment Committee.
The Betterment Committee worked with the Lonowood Art Company in Albion to create the sign.
The display will include a life-size cutout of Howard. That image will be added soon.
The sign is located on the property of Gil and Donna Wolcott.
Here is a vintage photo of Howard by the sign for his Santa School on Phipps Road near Route 31 in Albion. The new sign tries to replicate some of the detail on top of the sign.
