This Adorably Festive Town in Indiana Is Where All Your Letters to Santa Go

By David Williams

December 14, 2017

Credit: David Williams

Many cities and towns are given a moniker for obvious reasons, be it a geographic description or the name of a founder. Some towns, though, have a little bit of myth behind their name. One such story involves the town of Santa Claus, Indiana.

Related:Only in Hawaii: Watch Santa Make a Visit by Canoe

According to folklore, in 1856, with the Christmas season quickly approaching, a small community of people in southern Indiana applied for a post office to be built under the name Santa Fe. To the townspeople’s surprise, the application was returned stating that the name Santa Fe, Indiana was already taken. Weeks later on a cold December night in a small church, they debated alternative names for the town. A gust of wind abruptly swung the door open and bells could be heard ringing in the distance. Inside a child excitedly shouted, “It’s Santa Claus!”

Related: This Wine Train to the 'North Pole' Will Get You in the Christmas Spirit

The post office eventually opened, and today it receives thousands of handwritten letters to Santa each December. A group of dedicated volunteers, cleverly known as Santa’s Elves, respond to them.

Related:Researchers Created the Happiest Christmas Song in the World

The town’s claim to fame is Holiday World, a theme park open from April to October with more than 1 million annual visitors. But during the first three weekends of December, the city of 2,500 residents hosts an array of events to help both tourists and locals get into the holiday spirit. I spent a weekend exploring the town and taking advantage of as many events as I could pack into my schedule. I had dinner with Santa, sorted wish lists from children around the world, watched the parade, saw a choir performance and a Scrooge’s Christmas play, and spent time with locals who seem to never get sick of hearing Christmas music.

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Welcome

Credit: David Williams

Sign welcomes visitors to Santa Claus, Indiana.

2 of 21

Mail Elf

Credit: David Williams

Ed Rinehart, a volunteer elf, delivers letters from the Santa Claus Museum to the post office six days a week.

3 of 21

Elf Volunteers

Credit: David Williams

Jim Yellig went on to become the official Santa of Santa Claus. His daughter, Pat Koch, continues the tradition through a non-profit organization called Santa's Elves Inc. answering over 20,000 letters each year and spending $10,000 in stamps.

4 of 21

Outgoing Mail

Credit: David Williams

During the Christmas season over 20,000 letters are answered by Santa's elves and returned to children all over the world.

5 of 21

Official Stamps

Credit: David Williams

Postal worker Marian Balbach stamps letters with the official Santa Claus postmark.

6 of 21

From Santa's Elves

Credit: David Williams

Thanks to the volunteers, your letters to Santa won't go unanswered.

7 of 21

Post Office

Credit: David Williams

The Santa Claus Post Office is ready for all your wish lists.

8 of 21

Santa's Shop

Credit: David Williams

Santa's Candy Castle opened in 1935. On top of multiple rooms filled with sweets, the shop hosts multiple chestnut roasting opportunities each weekend of December.