Retrospective time! In celebration of the Holiday Season, I thought it would be interesting to look back in time to past Christmases in Duquesne.
Note: The images below are from newspapers that have been scanned at the loving hands of Mifflin Township Historical Society volunteers. As such, the clarity may be muttled or blurred, but I hope you are able to read most of the content.
The year, 1917. World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, the Great War, or the War to End All Wars, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.
On April 6, 1917, the U.S. joined its allies–Britain, France, and Russia–to fight in World War I. Under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million U.S. soldiers fought on battlefields in France. Many Americans were not in favor of the U.S. entering the war and wanted to remain neutral.
100 years ago, it was Christmas, 1917. American had been at war a little over eight months. For the first time, Duquesne was dealing with their sons away fighting a war at Christmastime. The following are two articles from the December 21, 1917 issue of The Duquesne News.
As not to disappoint the children of Duquesne, an effort was made to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. The not so subtle warning for the kids to behave themselves made me smile.
Merchants in Duquesne were still trying to capture their share of gift giving revenue as well.
Let’s jump ahead 20 years to The Duquesne News published on December 23, 1937. The country, as well as Duquesne, had been in the Great Depression for over eight years yet spirits of the season remained high.
In closing, let’s fast forward another 20 years to Christmas, 1957. This time, I thought it would refreshing to view that Christmas from the eyes of the boys and girls who shared the joy of growing up during Duquesne’s heyday. I dare you not to smile as you read through these Letters to Santa. I’m sure you’ll even recognize either your own or a friend’s letter!
In closing to my family, friends, and fellow hunkys
The Duquesne Hunky 
I lived in Duquesne Annex. After Russian Christmas we would haul our tree to a field behind the Duquesne police station where it was added to a big pile of other trees. The firemen were in charge of a huge bonfire which was an annual event.
To Asley Stabler. On Dec 7th Japan Bombed Pearl Harbor for the war effort us steel bought
All the houses below the tracks we moved out to Montery St in 1942 US Steel put up the
electric Furnaces were all the Hunkys lived I was born at 810 linden St I think my mother got
3000 dollars for the house
My mother Anne Thomas also lived on linden ave. She had 4 brothers and a sister Elizabeth. She moved to Lincoln ave when she was 16 in 1926
I couldn’t open the “Santa Letter”!
Hi Jane. I went to the site and was able to open the entire post. If anyone else has had trouble, please let me know. Try clicking the following link- http://www.duquesnehunky.com