Fresno in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Christmas Tree Lane
In June of 1919, William "Billy" Winning, age 14 died in a tragic accident at his family home on Van Ness Boulevard. In December of 1920, Billy's mother, Mae, decorated the deodur cedar in front of the home as a memorial to Billy, who had loved Christmas. This was done at a time when few private homeowners could afford to decorate with electric lights.
In the following years other neighbors also began to decorate trees in front of their homes and by the mid-1920's seventeen homes on Van Ness were decorated. By 1931 the practice had grown to such proportions that the displays on Van Ness earned it the nickname "Christmas Tree Lane". The practice of decorating continued to grow throughout the years only being interrupted in the weeks after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor because of security concerns, and again during the 1973 oil crises that followed the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East.
Today, Christmas Tree Lane is managed by the Fig Garden Homeowners Association which coordinates law enforcement agencies, civic groups and private individuals for the celebration of lights. It attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and is supported by donations from the community. It is nationally renowned as one of the first and most impressive such displays in the country, drawing visitors from the bay area and Southern California.
Erected 2016 by Maj. James D. Savage Chaper 1852 E Clampus Vitus and Fig Garden Homeowners Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1919.
Location. 36° 48.467′ N, 119° 48.437′ W. Marker is in Fresno, California, in Fresno County. Marker is on North Van Ness Boulevard, ¼ mile east of Palm Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the right a quarter of a mile from the end of Christmas Tree Lane on North Van Ness Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4962 North Van Ness Boulevard, Fresno CA 93704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. William Saroyan House Museum (approx. 2.3 miles away); Korea "The Forgotten War" (approx. 2.6 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar (approx. 2.6 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar Cover (approx. 2.6 miles away); Sierra Sky Park (approx. 4.1 miles away); Forestiere Underground Gardens (approx. 4.1 miles away); Fresno Technical School (approx. 4.6 miles away); Fresno Memorial Auditorium (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fresno.
More about this marker. The brick framework for the marker was made from bricks collected all over the city of Fresno including bricks from historic buildings taken down in downtown Fresno.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 3,218 times since then and 217 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2024, by Ronald D. (Ron) Trigueiro of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2018, by Mandy Kirby of Clovis, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.