Santa Claus Over Time

Updated on Dec 23, 2019. Originally added on Dec 22, 2017 by Daniel Pinna

Santa wasn't always the fluffy jolly character we think of today.

In 1823, the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" - commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas" - popularized our current vision of Santa Claus. Based on the life of St. Nicholas (a 4th century Greek saint who was known for his secret gift giving), the "jolly old elf" has in many ways become the very image of Christmas in the West. He's known by many names - Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Christkind, Kris Kringle, to name a few - but he's always a figure of largesse and the magic of the season.

But we don't have to tell you about Santa - he's been a part of everyone's lives for centuries. How we envision him has changed as he's become rounder and more jolly - but then, haven't we all with time(?!) - yet his spirit endures.

Here are some photos and drawings of Santa in the 19th and 20th centuries. Do they portray Santa as you know him?

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Santa Claus Over Time

Santa Claus Over Time

Little Mary asked “Are you the real Santa?” in 1949

One of our favorites of Santa

A serious conversation

Santa sometimes travels by ship

Hard at work building toys in 1907

1919 - he's left his gifts

In the 20's, Santa used the post office

Using that new fangled invention the telephone . . .

Okay

Who needs reindeer when you’ve got a donkey?

1876 drawing of children getting ready for Santa

1910 - dreaming of Santa, not sugarplums

The cannon is almost hiding Santa!

And in 1897, Santa used the phone

Lining up to send their letters to Santa

Santa helps the Salvation Army

Santa was commercialized even as early as 1868

Surrounded by children

Santa was popular with the ladies in 1902

He’s got his hands full with children and toys in 1906

Here he is in 1913 making quite the entrance!

Taken around 1920

Jolly Saint Nick in 1921

When the reindeer fail (in 1921) . . .

Santa can't forget the troops!

Mail early! 1921

Learning how to put out fires in case the chimney is roaring

Posing for the camera in 1925

Dressed up as Santa for a school play in 1950

The smiles and joy Santa brings are unmistakable

We recognize him today!

Related photo topics

Moments in Time