Historic PreservationStreetwise

Saving Santa

Staff

OUR CITY’S SANTA FIGURE IS OVER 60 YEARS OLD. TIME TO PROTECT IT AS A CULTURAL ICON

Ever wonder what the story is behind the tall stately figure that appears every holiday season in front of Christmas Park across from City Hall?

Records show that the City of Coral Gables’ towering Santa Claus figure is at least 60 years old and, at that age, certainly qualifies as a historic landmark under the historic preservation ordinance. Most importantly, Santa has earned the status of a cultural icon – because celebrating the holidays in Coral Gables would not be the same without this jolly fellow.

WHAT IS A CULTURAL ICON?

The figure Is kept at the City’s Public Works Department during the
year. It takes about 45 minutes to assemble before Santa Is placed In
front of City Hall. Photo Credit: Coral Gables TV (circa 2012)

According to Wikipedia and the good folks at Webster’s Dictionary, a cultural icon can be a symbol, logo or image. It is easily recognized and generally represents an object or idea with great cultural significance to a specific community, hopefully a wide cultural group. It has a special status important to, or representative of, a particular group of people, a place, or a period in history. Most people in Coral Gables mark the start of the holiday season by visiting  Christmas Park and seeing the tall figure of Santa waving at them in front of City Hall, making it a seasonal icon for the city.

SANTA IS QUITE A FIGURE

The larger than life fiberglass figure of our Santa Claus comes in two pieces – body and head – that connect at the neck. Every year it is assembled on-site just ahead of Christmas time.

The head measures approximately 55-inches wide by 55-inches deep and 95-inches tall. The body measures 125-inches wide by 65-inches deep and 150-inches tall. The figure is dressed in a traditional or classic Santa suit: red with white trim and black belt, boots and gloves. The figure stands with its left hand at its waist and its right hand raised in a wave. The body of the figure has seam lines which suggest the construction of the piece overall. And if you were curious, the figure is hollow, according to RLA Conservation. During the year, the statue is kept at the City’s Public Works Department. According to staff, it takes about 45 minutes to assemble.

Thomas Nast was a cartoonist and illustrator, remembered for creating what is considered the classic image of Santa Claus for Harper’s Magazine in 1863. Photo Credit: Courtesy Woodlawn Cemetery

For over 60 years, the 20-foot Santa figure has been a staple of the holiday season in Coral Gables. It stands on the corner of LeJeune Road and Miracle Mile.

It is time to officially protect Santa and designate him as a cultural landmark. The official designation would fall under “landscape feature” within the city’s historic preservation ordinance. The Coral Gables City Commission, along with the Historic Resources Department, should consider the designation and present a resolution to protect our City’s Santa figure as a special cultural icon. 

Karelia Martinez Carbonell is the president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables