Crescent Christmas memories

Reporter Rebecca Nappi narrates this slide show about her memories of the Crescent Department Store Christmas decorations from years ago.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Dec. 11, 2009

Window shopping at Crescent Department store. 1971 photo.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
In this undated photo of the Crescent Department Store's Christmas window, a sign announces that "Toyland is open," a yearly holiday happening eagerly anticipated by Spokane children.
A look down downtown Spokane's Main Street during the holiday shopping season shows the the Bon Marche's Madonna and Child display, left, and a Santa Claus above the Crescent Department Store entrance, right, in this undated photo.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
This photo of the Crescent Department Store Christmas window was taken in 1977.
In later years, elaborate Christmas villages sprung up around Santa during the holidays at the Crescent Department Store in downtown Spokane. In 1952, when this Santa photo was taken, the setting was still fairly simple.
The Madonna on Macy's, created in 1957 and remodeled in 1973, is a holiday tradition in downtown Spokane.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
Samantha Jo Riley laughs as she rides the Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park on Feb. 16, 2007. The Spokane attraction, created in 1909, is a U.S. historical landmark.

Christopher Anderson The Spokesman-Review
This 1974 Crescent Department Store Christmas window features animatronic elves.
Kathy Robinson, owner and general manager of the downtown Pita Pit, has displayed animatronic characters she found in the basement of the old Crescent building in her windows for the 2009 holiday season. The decorations were from the holiday display windows of the former Crescent department store.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review