Hudson's Department Store was the centerpiece of the downtown shopping district.
As such, its Christmas displays are the most remembered and revered. In fact,
Hudson's Department Store served as the temporary, holiday-season residence of "Santa" after he made the trek to the 12th floor Toyland of the store from the sleigh
The Albert Kahn building itself was a tourist attraction, but add the Christmas Fantasy exhibit and you have the makings of a legend. The display included an enormous Christmas tree, a miniature circus, Story Book Land and a Santa's workshop complete with elves and a miniature-toy-car assembly line. Unfortunately, the Rotundaburned down in 1962, ending a nine-year Christmas tradition.
The following photos are from the Ford Motor Company
Downtown Detroit 1960s
MOUSE OVER FOR ANOTHER PHOTO
Like no other retailer, Hudson's went all out for the holidays.
For many metro-Detroiters during the 50s and 60s,
it just wasn't Christmas until you went shopping in downtown Detroit.
Who doesn't remember the fantastic mechanical displays in Hudson's store windows?
Families would drive downtown and line up six deep just to see their displays.
These characters were also the showpiece of the 12th floor Fantasyland
where kids could visit with the "real" Santa.
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Many Detroiters remember the nine-story-high
Christmas Tree of Lights display on the outside of the building.
Lunch with Santa at Crowley's got you got this mug.
