The U.S. state of Indiana has the nickname of being the ‘Hoosier State’. How does the state get that name? There is no real known answer to the question, but there is a theory being that Indiana is not one of those states that comes first to many people’s mind that the word ‘Hoosier’ comes from the phrase ‘who’s there’. The definition is simply a resident of the state of Indiana. Many travel experts would tell you that there is nothing to the state of Indiana. Sadly, they are mistaken not knowing that the state is the home of one of sports hallowed grounds known by many racing fans as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which hosts the Indianapolis 500, the greatest Indy Car race in the world. The southern part of the state in the Louisville, Kentucky metropolis, and horse racing fans are fully aware of another hallowed ground known as Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the longest continuously running sporting event in the world, and it is part of what is known as ‘The Triple Crown’. It is also a big basketball state, and South Bend is home to the University of Notre Dame, a university famous for its football team. Then you have the city of Indianapolis has the second largest number of monuments of any city in the world? (Washington D.C. is number one.) The three longest routes in the United States (U.S. 6, U.S. 20, and U.S. 30) all pass through Indiana, and the longest interstate route (Interstate 90) passes through Indiana. If that is not enough, the city of Elkhart is called the Recreational Vehicle Capital of the World. How? Many recreational vehicles are manufactured here, and it is the home of the RV Hall of Fame.
With all of this in a U.S. state that many people consider a boring state, you have the town of Santa Claus. Yes, there is a Santa Claus. That is Santa Claus, Indiana. Located in the southwestern region of the state, it is a town built around the man himself. Well, it was not originally called Santa Claus but Santa Fe, but there was another Santa Fe in the state. The name was then changed to Santa Claus, and it has kept this name since. What is here? Well, you have an amusement park called Holiday World, and then you have the Santa Claus Museum and Village. The Santa Claus Museum and Village featured some of the original structures of the original post office where you can mail a letter to Santa, a church from 1880 that has its original furnishings, and a statue of the man himself. If you believe in Santa Claus, you will enjoy the Santa Claus Museum and Village.
Some of you are saying, “This is nice. There is a Santa Claus after all. Well, there is a town called Santa Claus in Indiana. The man himself would be proud. There is a very big problem. This town and this museum and village is about Santa Claus. There is no railroad here. Therefore, I will not be going down Santa Claus Lane or visit this town.”
So, you are not going to pay a visit to the town of Santa Claus, Indiana or the Santa Claus Museum and Village because it is not a railroad site. It is not a railroad museum, and, as far as it is known, there has never been a railroad in this town. Why would you want to visit the Santa Claus Museum and Village?
As you arrive at the Santa Claus Museum and Village, you will see the museum building. You will see the original post office. You will see a church that was built in 1880. You will see a tall statue of Santa Claus. What you will not see is an old train station, a locomotive, or a caboose.
Some of you are saying, “See. There is no railroad here. Therefore, I have no reason to visit this place.”
This is called the Santa Claus Museum and Village. You see the village. Now you enter the museum. The very first thing you see is the gift shop. Of course, you have a gift shop. Then you enter into the various rooms where you see the history of the town. Then you see the model trains. Yes, the Christmas holiday has long been associated with model trains particularly around the Christmas tree, and they are on display here at the museum. From the model trains on display to the model train displays.
Are you still refusing to visit this museum? If you enjoy model trains to include the old Lionel Trains, the Santa Claus Museum and Village is a must see. You may not see the man himself, but you still will have a good time.
The Santa Claus Museum and Village is located at 69 Indiana State Route 245 just south of Indiana Route 162 and minutes from Holiday World, Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 231. Parking is on site. Admission museum is free, but they will gladly accept donations. The museum is open year round, but the hours do vary throughout the year. You can get more information about the museum and village at https://santaclausmuseum.org/.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Well, there is the Santa Claus Museum and Village in Santa Claus, Indiana. You can visit any time of the year. You will have a jolly old time.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 