The legendary Santa Claus is the mythological and historical character known throughout the world for bringing gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The traditions differ from Country to Country and "Santa" is known all over the world by many different names: Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, (Netherlands) Father Christmas, (England), Pere Noel, (France, Canada), Weihnachtsmann (Germany), Papai Noel, (Brazil, Peru), Jultomten, (Sweden) Santa (Japan), Papa Noel (Spain), Grandfather Frost or Ded Moroz (Russia), Aghios Vassilis, (Greece), Babbo Nataleor (Italy), or just simply "Santa."
The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sinterklaas. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York) brought this fun and lively tradition to America. The name Santa Claus is derived from older Dutch Sinte Klaas.
The most important single source for our modern day version of Santa Claus comes from the Christmas poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore. Written for his children in 1823, the family poem was later published for the general public and included what became the now famous picture of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast.
"Merry Old Santa Claus,"
Thomas Nast, a well known and respected painter, found inspiration for his extremely popular painting of today's Santa Claus from Moore's world famous poem, The Night Before Christmas ("A Visit from St. Nicholas" ). Nast's most famous drawing of"Merry Old Santa Claus," was printed in from Harper's Weekly, January 1, 1881, as seen above.
Thus Thomas Nast, a very real and now historical newspaper artist, was the VERY FIRST PERSON to paint the first definitive portrait of our present day Santa Claus in 1870.
"Merry Old Santa Claus" Cache is a 50 cal. Ammo box, loaded with the Spirit of Christmas!!
PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON GLENSIDE ROAD, THERE IS A PARKING LOT NOT FAR FROM THE CACHE, AND SIMPLY FOLLOW THE BRIDLE TRAIL. WHICH RUNS CLOSE TO GZ. PLEASE NOTE: THIS AREA HAS BEEN OVERGROWN WITH ( THORNS BUSHES) SINCE 2007 WHEN THE CACHE WAS PLACED, PLEASE BE CAREFUL NAVIGATING THROUGH THESE THORNS.