Lorain's Nativity Scene

Did you know that Lorain's official Nativity display used to be set up in Lakeview Park?

The article (above), from the December 1950 pages of the Lorain Sunday News weekly tells the story. I found it in the newspaper clippings file of the Lorain Public Library. (Give it a click so you can read it.)


The Lorain Moose Lodge and the Lorain Junior Chamber (Jaycees) co-sponsored the original Nativity project.

And since my blog is affiliated with the Lorain Morning Journal, here is its version of the story. It appeared in that newspaper on December 21, 1950 against the backdrop of the Korean War. (Sorry for the poor quality of the microfilm material.)

Anyway, the Nativity scene was moved to Washington Park (now Veterans Memorial Park) across from Lorain City Hall the following year. The story from the Lorain Sunday News is below; at the time, the newspaper took credit for convincing the city that the park directly across from city hall should be decorated for the holidays, instead of being "dark and dismal."

I don't think the 1951 figurines are the same ones in the present cramped nativity scene (below).

Lorain's Nativity Scene 2011

Isn't it sad that they have to be stuffed into a hut and then surrounded by chicken-wire in 2011?