Historic Shack Holds Generations of Memories
Writer & Photographer / Teena Catt
Santa Claus has been coming to town for a lifetime. Memories are awakened each November when the Santa Shack makes its annual appearance in downtown Franklin. Unfortunately, we must rely on memories as the original builders of the well-known Santa Shack are long gone. Built in what we believe was the mid- to late-’50s, we can look at an old photograph hanging on the wall of the Willard Bar and Grill. Pictured in black and white is a group of men in front of the legendary shack.
Steve Brown and Deb Brown-Nally identified their grandfather, Bob Justice, as the third man pictured from the left in the back row of the photo. Brown says he believes the lumber came from the Justice Lumber Company, which once was on Cincinnati Street in town and owned by Bob’s father, Edwin Justice.
This Santa Shack sat up on the courthouse lawn on Jefferson Street, and children were able to visit Santa Claus, tell him their wish list and receive a candy cane. A mailbox outside of the house was for letters to be mailed to Santa in case he was “out of the office.”
Diana Porterfield remembers that her grandfather, Wayne Burdsall, portrayed Santa for some time during the 1960s. He was also chief of police. Porterfield recalls that Santa used to climb down a ladder from the roof of the G.C. Murphy Company (now the Elks Lodge). She remembers seeing him in his Santa costume and pointing and calling out “Grandpa” as he descended the ladder. A nearby lady told Porterfield’s mom she thought it was cute that her daughter thought Santa was her grandpa. Her mom replied, “He is!”
Robin Campbell shared a black-and-white newspaper clipping of her as a child placing her letter to Santa inside the mailbox outside of the Santa house in 1975. This tradition is still alive today.
While the Santa house was rebuilt at some point by Central Nine students, the basic concept of the shack remained nearly the same as the original. It is believed the stars on the doors are either original or copied as a tribute to the original structure.
Franklin Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the upkeep of the Santa Shack today. Holly Johnston, Parks Department recreation director, says she and the maintenance team gave the shack a new coat of paint this year before placing it downtown in front of Toodleydoo Toys, located west of the courthouse square on Jefferson Street. The Parks Department wishes to make much-needed improvements to the shack, making it ADA compliant. Funding is needed to make that wish a reality.
Santa will be at the Johnson County Museum of History from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, and then ride into town during the Holiday Lighted Parade at 5:30 p.m. Winter Market will be taking place from 1-8 p.m., with the courthouse lighting ceremony taking place at 7 p.m.
Santa Experience at Toodleydoo is available by appointment only. The store offers personal visits with Santa and the opportunity to take photos inside the shack. Visit toodleydootoys.youcanbook.me to register and secure a spot.
Franklin Parks and Recreation offers Letters to Santa forms that are available at the toy store for free. Children can place their behavior report and Christmas wish list to Santa, and if placed in the Santa Shack mail slot before Dec. 15, they will get a letter back from Santa in the mail.
Johnston says the staff elves answer between 350 and 400 letters each year, making sure to use printing (not cursive) handwriting for the children.
“Taking care of the Santa Shack is definitely a labor of love for the staff at Franklin Parks and Recreation,” she says. “Even though it is only out for the holiday season each year, it is an important memory for many people visiting Santa and mailing their letters to him there. We take pride in continuing this tradition for many years to come.”
While many readers will recall their own memories of visiting the Santa Shack in downtown Franklin, we recognize that the visual evidence of those visits may have faded through time and the lack of written or printed documentation. It is perhaps a reminder to today’s generation, as they snap photos on their phone this December, to print some of those photos or make a memory photo book as a keepsake for generations to come.
To donate to the upkeep and improvements of the Santa Shack, please email Holly Johnston at Franklin Parks and Recreation at hjohnston@franklin.in.gov.
