Knoxville residents looking back to the week before Halloween in 1926 will find a bustling downtown scene of sales, community gatherings, and modest celebrations. Deitch’s department store on Market Square advertised a Thrift Days sale with items such as a jersey dress for $1.98, children’s union suits for 69 cents, blankets ranging from $1 to $6.98, and hats for $1.69. The most expensive item listed was a winter coat priced at $14.95 – roughly $285 in today’s dollars.
To encourage shoppers, Deitch’s promised a novelty Halloween hat with any purchase of at least $1, adding a festive touch to the frugal bargains.
Church Youth Party
The youth group of Second Presbyterian Church planned a Halloween party for October 30, the day before Sunday fell on the 31st. The event was set for the attic of the church’s Sunday school annex and welcomed local children and university students. The invitation reflected the era’s emphasis on wholesome, family‑centered recreation.
Local Merchants Offer Holiday Supplies
Nearby, S.H. George & Sons on Gay Street ran a “fabulous” sale on disguises, cut‑outs, pumpkins, funny hats and Jack‑o‑lanterns. In the 1920s, “fun makers” referred to noise makers such as horns, cardboard squeakers and rattles – items more commonly associated today with New Year’s celebrations.
The T.E. Burns Company, located on the north end of Market Square, invited revelers to stop by for groceries and fall‑flavored treats, including red‑wing apple cider, gingerbread, doughnuts and pumpkins. They also promoted a “Toddy” sold for 39 cents or 60 cents depending on the can size, described as a “delicious, healthful drink” that could be served hot or cold, even though the nation was still in the era of Prohibition.
Whittle Springs Hotel Dance
North of the city, near Fountain City, the Whittle Springs Hotel hosted a special Halloween dance on the evening of October 30, from 9 p.m. until midnight. Attendees could wear costumes or street clothing, but the dancing was strictly chaperoned, reflecting the community’s commitment to orderly, family‑friendly entertainment.
Police Report on the Weekend
Contemporary newspaper reports noted that the Halloween festivities across Knoxville remained “quite sober and well behaved.” Hundreds of men, women and children gathered downtown in their Halloween attire and in surrounding neighborhoods. A small number of intoxicated individuals were taken to the city jail, but police reported that the incidents were no more than the usual Saturday‑night disturbances. Traffic downtown was heavy, yet the police department kept traffic moving efficiently.
Historical Context: Mask Law
An interesting historical footnote is Tennessee’s 1868 law prohibiting the wearing of masks in public. The statute, signed by Governor William Gannaway Brownlow, was intended to curb the activities of the Ku Klux Klan, not to limit Halloween revelry. As a result, 1926 revelers relied on makeup and creative costumes rather than masks.
These snapshots of 1926 Halloween celebrations illustrate how Knoxville’s merchants, churches, and civic leaders provided affordable, family‑oriented activities while maintaining public order – a tradition of community spirit that continues to shape our city’s seasonal festivities.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
