Albion in Orleans County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Charles W. Howard
1896 - 1966
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 29, 2025
1. Charles W. Howard Marker
Charles W. Howard first portrayed Santa as a boy in a classroom play. As an adult he played Santa in a store front window in downtown Albion and then, Rochester and Buffalo. This experience encouraged him to perfect the role of Santa Claus.
Charles was disheartened by the quality of Santa being portrayed in stores. He created a "school" to teach the proper appearance and demeanor of Santa. He established the world's first Santa Claus School in the Fall of 1937. His school became so popular that it was eventually recognized world-wide.
Charles converted his farm in Albion into Christmas Park with a Christmas and Santa theme. The park provided Santa's Castle where he trained Santas in the off-season.
He became the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa and retained that distinction for eighteen years - until his death in 1966.
Ons of Charles's most famous quotes was "He errs who thinks Santa enters through the chimney. He enters through the heart."
Albion Lions Club member
Santa Claus Hall of Fame Charter Member - December, 2010.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education
this page online
Location. 43° 14.9′ N, 78° 11.612′ W. Marker is in Albion, New York, in Orleans County. It is on North Main Street (New York State Route 98) north of East Bank Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 North Main Street, Albion NY 14411, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, in the Finger Lakes, and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Downtown Albion (a few steps from this marker); Erie Canal 1825 (within shouting distance of this marker); Calamity Sept. 28, 1859 (within shouting
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 29, 2025
2. Charles W. Howard Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
