History of the Letters To Santa

In the latter part of the 1800's, children wrote letters to Santa Claus. By the 1890's post offices were overrun with letters for Santa each December. There was great diversity in the correct spelling o his and where he lived - South or North Pole - as well as what to do with the letters. Mail clerks gravely stamped them with a certification that the addressee could not be found and forwarded them to the dead letter office in Washington.  But children had faith in the Postal Service and knew Santa would get their letters. They came from children from all walks of life.  One Christmas Eve, eight-year-old Edsel Ford, son of Henry and Clara Ford, and the future president of the Ford Motor Company, penned his letter in Detroit, Michigan: Dear Santa Claus:  I Havent Had Any Christmas Tree in 4 Years And I Have Broken My Trimmings And I Want A Pair of Roller Skates And A Book, I Cant Think Of Any Thing More. I Want You To Think O Something More.  Good By.  Edsel Ford Thanks For Visiting