Halloween Coverage in the Lorain Journal – 1920s and 30s

1920s postcard

The way we celebrate Halloween has certainly evolved over the years. 

While these days, Halloween is big business – Americans are expected to send more than $11 billion this year on candy, costumes and decorations – there was a time when it was a much simpler celebration. Cities such as Lorain had costume parades, small private parties, and children went door to door asking for treats like they do now. But there was an element of mischief and fun consisting of harmless pranks that was an integral part of the observance. 

The Lorain Journal did its bit each year to call attention to Halloween with a small front page story. Sometimes it was just a gentle reminder to be on your toes for unusual occurrences in the neighborhood; other times, a brief history of the holiday was presented.

One hundred years ago on October 31, 1924, the Lorain Journal included this small front page article. 

As it notes, "Harbingers of the celebration stalked thru parts of the city last night, soaping windows, confiscating gates to adorn telephone poles and committing other acts of hoodlumism and petty vandalism to the annoyance of police and property owners.

"Police Chief Theodore Walker has warned that hoodlumism and vandalism destruction and damaging of property will not be tolerated. He will not interfere with innocent pranks, however, he said."

Three years later on October 31, 1927, the newspaper's front page had this small item.

"Tonight's the night that flaming youth, stepping out for a Hallowe'en celebration, is scheduled to cut up capers in observance of the occasion," the report noted. As Lorain had no city party, "Hundreds will journey to Elyria to witness the municipal celebration which is to be held in the public square" according to the story.

On Halloween Night 1929, Rhea Soper Eddy – the Journal employee who was responsible for the Mary Lee Tucker program for decades – contributed the front page story below. She provides a charming, detailed description of the fun and celebrations in store that night.

But a year later in an article that appeared on the front page of the Journal on October 31, 1930, the focus returned to Halloween tricks. And an article right below the story tells of a group of youthful Halloween pranksters who were in the act of overturning a shed when they were busted by the owner.

The Lorain Journal of October 31, 1931 included this article below distributed by the Associated Press. It reveals several strange customs associated with Halloween, including how a cabbage could help a woman meet her future husband.

On October 31, 1933 the front page of the Lorain Journal reported the story below. 

It's a little hard to read so I'll decipher some of it for you the best I can. "With the exception of private parties and celebrations tonight, Lorain expects to observe a quiet Hallowe'en.

"In Elyria, however, goblins will frolic as the city hosts its traditional Hallowe'en festival in downtown streets.

"There are no public observances planned in Lorain, and as far as the police are concerned, youngsters will be permitted to indulge in harmless pranks, but no [undecipherable] will be allowed.

"Extra police will be on hand to see, as far as possible, that [undecipherable] property damage are kept at a minimum.

"A motorcycle officer will be on duty at police station to respond to calls."

Two years later on October 31, 1935, the Lorain Journal featured the large article below. It offers a nice history of the holiday dating back to its roots in the celebrations of the ancient Druids – and throws in a little cheesecake (actress Nancy Carroll).

A year later on October 31, 1936, perhaps by popular demand, the Lorain Journal repeated the photo of Nancy Carroll and her pumpkin, albeit with different text. A slightly different photo of the same moppets working on their jack-o-lantern was also included. There's also a report of Lorain's Halloween parade.

Nancy seems to have posed for several Halloween cheesecake photos with that distinctive pumpkin.

****

Mom provided her reminisces about what Halloween was like in Lorain back in the 1930s here.