4 minute read
1897 Christmas
By Drew Desmond | Secretary, Prescott Western Heritage Foundation
Christmas 1897 was a delightful one for Prescott, Arizona.
Due to advances in plate-glass technology, the downtown business district had evolved into a veritable box of consumer eye candy. Previously, store windows were the same ones found in houses. Goldwater’s and Bashford-Burmister were the first stores to install them in 1872. By 1897, almost all of the downtown businesses had followed suit - and it was effective.
“At Cook’s Jewelry Store,” the paper related, “silver and gold and precious stones, [displayed] in magnificent array, shine out through the windows invitingly to passersby, causing them to a halt, investigate and buy.” Indeed, Prescott’s shops were so elaborate that the newspaper decided to describe them in detail.
Although there was no official contest for best window display that year, it would have undoubtedly gone to RH Burmister’s. According to the paper, “The bottom of the window is covered with nuts forming the words Merry Christmas.” In addition, “tiers of circular shelves are arranged on the sides, on which are exhibited the most tempting delicacies…The background to these is in colors of various kinds surmounted by vines. At the top of the space, and well back from the glass, is a cluster of electric light globes of various colors. Propelled by a small electric motor underneath, these are turned on and off automatically.” This self-made, innovative device would turn on different portions of the lights, and then all of them, before auto- matically turning them off at 10pm after the store had closed.
The novel, electrified display was quite popular: “The lights were turned on last evening for the first time and the window attracted a large crowd around it all evening,” the paper reported.
The Journal-Miner also noted the vast supply of groceries and delicacies available including candies, fruits and nuts. However, if one would rather eat Christmas dinner at a restaurant, there was ample opportunity.“The menu at the Burke hotel has been specially prepared for the occasion,” the paper announced. “The Sherman House, noted for its cuisine excellence, will be up to its usual standard. The Brinkmeyer, Prescott, Congress, Johnson House and Home Kitchen are each consulting the best culinary arts for the Christmas celebration.”
One eating establishment announced its menu in advance:
Today, simply being served possum could completely sacrifice one’s holiday hunger!
Come evening in downtown, the mood was jovial and cozy as folks partook in a Victorian Christmas libation called “Tom & Jerry,” a drink similar to eggnog, but served warm. “Tom and Jerry, the inseparable companions, who enjoy the conviviality of Christmas time, will take in the town, [including] the Cabinet, Palace, Golden Eagle, Kearney’s, Headquarters, and the Comet,” the paper remarked.
Finally, Christmas Eve came. “The streets are lined with people today,” the paper described, “and pedestrians with bundles under their arms plainly indicate that tomorrow is Christmas.” As the last purchases were being made, “nature…spread the white mantle of charity over the mountain, valley and plains as a carpet over which, with noiseless speed, old Santa Claus and his reindeers, sleigh laden with presents and toys for the girls and boys…which opens wide in wonderment childhood’s eyes on Christmas morning.”
For Prescott, 1897 would be a splendid and rare white Christmas.
Traditional Christmas Libation: Tom & Jerry
Ingredients
Boiling water to rinse, 1 ounce dark rum, 1 ounce cognac, 1 tablespoon Tom & Jerry batter*, Whole milk, hot, to top
Garnish: Freshly grated nutmeg, Ground cloves, Ground allspice
*Tom & Jerry Batter
Separate 12 egg yolks and whites and set aside. In a glass or ceramic bowl, whip the egg whites with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with 2 pounds of sugar, 2 ounces dark rum and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. When the yolk mixture is completely combined, gently fold it into the egg white mixture. Keep refrigerated.
Directions
Rinse a small coffee mug (or white ceramic Tom & Jerry cup) with boiling water to warm it, then discard the water.
Add the rum, cognac and batter into the cup and top with hot milk.
Garnish with a mixture of 2 parts freshly grated nutmeg to 1 part each ground clove and ground allspice.
