Although giant light displays were not yet popular in Tacoma in 1951, Arthur J. Wendt, a carpenter with O.F. Larson & Son, showed his holiday spirit by erecting an elaborate display of plywood figures in his front yard and on the roof of his house at 5301 North 45th Street. A nativity scene took up most of the front yard on one side of the front walk; a small church with a tall steeple stood on the other side of the walkway; and Santa's reindeer pulled Santa and his sleigh across the roof. The whole display was lit by strategically placed floodlights. Finally Mr. Wendt strung lights along the edge of the roof and in the trees that decorated the front of the house.

Christmas decorations; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wendt, Arthur J.--Homes & haunts;

A small, one-story house has been decorated for Christmas with cut-out Santa Claus and three of his reindeer on the roof and a small church building that is nearly half the height of the home. Lights have been strung on evergreen trees and along the hip of the roof. Ordered by Emma (Mrs. Arthur J.) Wendt who lived at 5301 North 45th Street.

Christmas decorations; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;