When you think of the most festive Christmas towns in the world, you probably think of places with a lot of snow, big festivals and markets… but what if we told you there was a town literally named after the holly jolly father of Christmas himself, Mr. Santa Claus? That’s right… there’s a city in Georgia named Santa Claus, and it’s a 100% real place. Keep scrolling to learn more about Santa Claus, Georgia!
The History of Santa Claus (Georgia)
If you’re looking for the history of the man in red, then you’re on the wrong article. This is the history of Santa Claus, GEORGIA. (It’s kind of like when someone mistakes Rome, Italy for Rome, Georgia, or Athens, or… you get it.)
But why is there a town in Georgia called Santa Claus? It’s a cool story. In the 1930s, a local pecan farmer named Calvin Greene actually carved out the city (which is about 60 acres) from one of his pecan groves, and named is Santa Claus in “hopes of luring tourist traveling down U.S. Highway 1 to his pecan business.”
From there, the city was incorporated in 1941 and Greene served as the towns first Mayor.
According to the City of Santa Claus’ website, the real “Santa Claus” to the residents of Santa Claus was ‘Bill’ William John Salem. Salem help grow the city in the early 1960s by building reasonably priced brick housing, helping finance homes, and building water, sewage and road systems. The city says,
[Salem’s] dream was to help people and to put Santa Claus on the map, so that everyone would have great memories of this town.
You can learn more about Santa Claus on the city’s website, here!
Santa Claus also has tons of cool Christmas-themed streets like:
- Candy Cane Lane
- Reindeer Street
- Santa Claus City Hall which sits at 25 December Drive
You can call Santa Claus and leave a message for… well, Santa Claus!
The City of Santa Claus also has a phone number for the REAL Santa Claus! You can call (951) 262-3062 and a jolly Santa (recording) will answer the phone and let you leave a voice mail with all your Christmas wishes!
We love all the cheerful vibes!