The Superior Express -

In 1621, following the first Thanksgiving, there were no Christmas traditions in what would become the United States. Neither the Puritans nor the Pilgrims observed or celebrated Christmas. In fact in 1659, one could be fined for hanging a decoration or having anything other than a church service related to Christmas.

It was not until 1870 that Christmas was to become a legal holiday in the United States. 1870 was also the first year Christmas was celebrated by the pioneer settlers in Jewell County. In July of 1870, two hundred five persons were counted by the census. It is not known how many...