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JIM - Christmas Wish List, 14 Dec 1938 2017-12-14 - Between Creel Building & the Well Walk (Flower Garden to Monkey Business nowadays) - Photo from the collection of JIM. December 1938 found America in the tenth year of the wearying Great Depression, and eighteen months into a severe recession-within-the-depression, although the recession had marginally loosened its grip. For Adair County families that were better off financially than many, the Community Public Service Co. offered Christmas pricing on a dazzling array of modern conveniences such as electric clocks, $2.95 & up; floor lamps, from $7.95; and radios, beginning at $14.95. For those better off still, the (nearly indestructible) Sunbeam Mixmaster could be put under the tree for $23.75; and for the really well-to-do, a Kelvinator refrigerator at $130 and up could bring a spot of holiday cheer 24/7. For most, however, a pound of candy from the Baldwin Cash Market (stick, Christmas mix, and chocolate, mix or match at ten cents on the pound) and the children's items available at the Economy 5c & 10c store (located on the Square between the Creel building and the Well Walk) more realistically fit the family budget, but for some, even those items may as well have been priced in dollars rather than dimes and quarters. The accompanying advertisement appeared in the December 14, 1938 edition of the Adair County News. - JIM Read More... | Permalink | Comments?

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