In some ways, Christmas on the frontier looked very different from today’s holiday. It was less commercial, but some traditions have endured.
Medicine Creek Claim’s story spans four years with the Ward sisters, beginning with their last Christmas on the family farm in Missouri in 1862. The sisters found comfort in family traditions they’d known since childhood.
They were going to attend Christmas services at the church in St. Joseph, but a heavy snowfall changed that plan.
“It’s odd having just the two of us for Christmas,” Charlotte said.
“I miss Mama, Papa, and Max, too,” Lizzy said. “But I can’t think of anyone else that I would rather celebrate the season with. Charlotte, you’ve made a delicious holiday dinner. We’ll sing carols, and then we’ll exchange gifts, just as we’ve always done.”
The following spring, Charlotte and Lizzy packed their wagons and journeyed to Dakota Territory. The first year on the frontier was filled with challenges. As the year came to a close, the sisters prepared to celebrate Christmas on the prairie. But in 1863, the circle of friends had grown, and new traditions were started.
When he entered Charlotte’s soddy, Luke was carrying what looked to be a tree branch. “I found this scrub cedar on the way here, and thought it would make a good Christmas tree,” he explained.
Upon further inspection, Charlotte saw the branch had roots. “You uprooted an entire tree?” she said.
“Well, it’s not much of a tree…” he began.
“It will be a beautiful Christmas tree,” Lizzy said. “I have just the thing to hold it.” She found a pottery crock and “planted” the cedar in it. “There, now we can decorate it.”
Just as in all aspects of frontier life, the pioneers on Medicine Creek Claim adapted to change and “made do.” The tree was decorated with strings of popcorn, rosehips, twists of paper, and hair ribbons.
The second year on the claim saw more family members celebrating the holiday.
Like the previous year, Luke brought a small cedar tree to decorate. Nellie was thrilled and took charge of decorating. In addition to popcorn and berries, she found several abandoned bird nests and added those to the holiday tree.
By now, Charlotte and Lizzy considered themselves “old homesteaders” and were comfortable in their frontier home. While they still exchanged small gifts, a book for Lizzy and sewing shears for Charlotte, they agreed to expand the farms by purchasing a more reliable plow and additional breeding stock.
These traditions were carried on in future holidays, sometimes as reminders of leaner years.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the folks at Medicine Creek Claim.