(Editor’s note: This story combines stories that originally appeared in 2017 and in 2022.)
Yes, we know it’s not technically a tree. But let’s not sully its spirit with reason.
But can we here in Indiana consider it the tallest artificial tree? The facts speak for themselves.
Guinness World Records awarded that honor to a 236 ft. tall artificial Christmas tree in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2016.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is 284 ft 6 in., minus 30 feet for Victory — that still leaves Indianapolis 18-and-a-half feet ahead, assuming you consider a monolith of limestone to fall under the heading of tree.
But how did this “tree” come to be?
The idea of decorating the iconic Indianapolis landmark started decades ago. On Christmas Eve 1937, architect Edward D. Pierre strolled around a dull and rather festive-less Monument Circle.
“I remember thinking what a terrible thing it was for our monument to be dark and unlit on Christmas Eve,” said Pierre in a 1963 Indianapolis Star article.
After World War II ended, the Indianapolis Christmas committee, led by Pierre, decided to turn the Soldiers and Sailors Monument into a colorful symbol of peace and goodwill.
Each night during the holiday season until 11:30 p.m., floodlights and spotlights illuminated the monument. Evergreens placed around the monument joined a Nativity scene and a tableau depicting a soldier at a lonely outpost on Christmas Eve. Indianapolis-area schools, churches and organizations performed musical programs. Banners reading “Peace on Earth” were placed along the base.
When the Monument became the largest Christmas tree
But the Monument itself was not adorned with lights until 1962.
In March of that year, an engineering firm was hired to study whether decorating the Monument with thousands of lights might damage it. After the Monument passed its physical, the Hatfield Electric Company was selected as prime contractor with an overall budget of $30,000 (a little over $297,000 today when adjusted for inflation). The union electricians of IBEW #481 volunteered their time to install and remove the décor that year as they have every year since.
The Indianapolis Star reported the “tree” stood 246 feet tall, with a diameter of 110 feet. Fifty-two strings of 6,000 multi-colored lights hung from the “tree,” weighing 3,220 pounds. Each bulb represented a branch of the military: green for the Army, clear for the Air Force, blue for the Navy, yellow for the Coast Guard and red for the Marines. Organizers estimated the display could be seen 20 miles away.
Mayor Albert Losche said, “Let there be light,” as he officially lit the tree Dec. 1, 1962. A crowd of 10,000 responded with a collective “oooh and ahhh.”
About 20 years later, the “world’s largest Christmas tree” moniker was replaced in an effort to highlight the overall celebration. No doubt, it did not hurt that Kings Island amusement park in suburban Cincinnati snatched that phrase in 1982 by decking its Eiffel Tower replica with lights and dubbing that 330-foot tall structure a “tree.”
The Circle of Lights
Over the years the celebration has grown to include fireworks and entertainment. Approximately 100,000 people attend the lighting and another 50,000 watch on television.
Local and national performers, including the Radio City Rockettes, have played the opening day ceremonies over the years. Mickey Mouse once skated the basins around the Monument.
The Monument was designated a historic landmark in 2017, meaning setting up a stage on its steps was no longer possible.
The lights were even turned in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, but people were asked not to visit the area. A TV special made up of pre-recorded performances replaced regular live programming.
This year the lighting ceremony, which will be aired lived on WTHR Channel 13, will start at 6 p.m. with Santa and the winner of the AES Indiana Coloring Contest flipping the switch just after 6:50 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Retro Indy: When Soldiers and Sailors Monument became ‘world’s largest Christmas tree’
Reporting by Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
