Charles W. Howard

Charles Willis Howard (June 15, 1896 – May 1, 1966) was an American actor and teacher most famous for portraying Santa Claus in department stores and parades. In 1937, he established the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School which today is the oldest continuously-run Santa school in the world.

Early life

Howard was born in Albion, New York to William Asa Howard and Martha Haight. As a young boy, his aunt gave him a coping saw and he showed exceptional creative ability. At the age of seven, he used the tool to fashion toy furniture and wagons that friends and neighbors purchased for gifts. Around this time, Howard's mother sewed a Santa Claus suit for him, as he was a "short fat boy." The first class consisted of three men, the first being Frederick Wise, an unmarried welder from New Jersey. The other two pupils include Howard's personal friend and a neighbor. By the 1960s, he was providing the biggest and best stores in the nation with Santa Suits.

In 1944, Howard left McCurdy's Department Store in Rochester and entered the employ of Adam, Meldrum & Anderson in Buffalo, New York. He remained in that role until he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1948, collapsing on the job.

From 1948 to 1965, he was the featured Santa Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, perhaps the most visible Santa in the United States.

Death and legacy Howard died in 1966 near his home in Albion. Christmas Park, which had attracted 80,000 visitors yearly at its peak, closed, and his Santa Claus School was moved to Midland, Michigan.

As of 2009, the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School continued running in Midland, Michigan, under Tom and Holly Valent, who themselves had portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus for over thirty years.