H.C. Prange’s Christmas Delights Gone After Fire

H.C. Prange’s was home to not only shoppers but also to the hundreds of children and adults that flocked to the North Eighth Street store on Thanksgiving Day. A tradition in Sheboygan, Prange had delighted spectators for many years. This was the day the sheets covering the windows were taken down to unveil the beautiful Christmas scenes in every single window. The animated figurines danced with holiday delight and the thrills of seeing candy makes, little elf’s packing the toys for delivery were met with sounds of joy from the little ones and adults.

It was a special time for many families as they glazed with amazement when looking at the beautifully decorated windows. On Fridays, the H.C. Prange’s store would fill with shoppers looking for early sales and parents with children going to the basement where they would encounter Santa in the Christmas Wonderland. You would see Christmas trees, Santa’s helpers, tinsel and lights. The trains that rounded the tracks carrying various dolls and toys were a delight for all to see. Santa was always waiting to see the next child round the corner with squeals and delight after seeing the beautiful Wonderland scenery.

With the demolition and possible arson fire, October 16, 1983, families would never again see Christmas Wonderland again. The fire shot up into the sky and could be seen far away. Many citizens flocked to the downtown area to get a glimpse of the extraordinary fire. Why did it have come to this? Possible arson was the final say about the fire although nothing was ever officially stated. It was stated that a bike of a man who disappeared at the same time was found by the building. A body was never found nor was the man in question.

H.C. Prange’s did rebuild a store on the property, which opened up in 1984, but it sold to Younker’s franchise a few years later. There still is no Christmas Wonderland in downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin anymore. On Thanksgiving Day, there is a Christmas Parade, but the thrills and excitement of the unveiling of Prange’s windows no longer exists. This was a sad day for children and parents who had for years, spent Thanksgiving early evening waiting for the beautiful window delights.