507 South Chapman Street has been a "holiday house" since the 1960's. The True family moved into the above rental house on Chapman, near Walker Avenue, in the 1960's when their home caught on fire. By 1970, the True family started decorating the house for Christmas and, for years, Mr. True sat on the porch, dressed as Santa. In 1982, when it seemed like the True family was going to be forced to move from this house, because the owner was going to sell it, the realtor in charge of selling the house, took up a collection around town and was able to raise enough money for the True family to purchase it.
Mr. True, the True Santa, died in 2003, but his son's family has taken over decorating the house and, as you can see from a photo taken yesterday, they continue to decorate and bring joy to the community. At the moment, Halloween if in full force at 507 South Chapman. This is such a warm, southern story of a family that has enjoyed bringing joy to others for nearly fifty years. You can be sure that they will delight us at Christmas, too. The house may be modest and humble, but the spirit is larger than life and has carried on for generations.* Part of us would love to see one of those HGTV shows to come in and make over this house however the family wants. On the other hand, the True family is probably happy with this loving abode just as it is.
* Reference and more information, here.
That is cool!
Posted by: William Kendall | Saturday, October 07, 2017 at 01:32 PM