Have You Seen The Arizona Town Where Christmas Never Ends?

According to legend, Santa Claus, the jolly old elf, resides at the tip of the North Pole, where he waits for 364 days to bring presents to all the good boys and girls across the globe.

Seems he wanted to have a break from the frigid temperatures up north, because he set up a base of operations right here in Arizona.

Santa Claus, Arizona

In 1936, the Colorado River was tamed. The Hoover dam marked a new era for the western frontier, and became a smash hit for tourists. Ninon and Edward Talbot were the owners of the nearby Kit Carson Guest House, and instantly realized they could capitalize on the influx of tourists passing by their humble abode.

They purchased around 80 acres of land north of their establishment, and founded Santa Claus, Arizona. This quaint little "town" was home to several attractions, but none more famous than the Christmas Tree Inn. This tiny, festive inn served home-cooked meals to weary travelers, and hooked them with the spirit of the holidays, no matter the time of year.

Get our free mobile app

Read More:

The Tallest Christmas Tree in Arizona!

Where is Santa Claus, Arizona Now?

Unfortunately, Christmas in the desert didn't last long. By 1950, the Ninon Talbot sold the town and cut her losses, moving back to LA. A string of new owners followed, with each believing that they could bring the magic back to the slowly disintegrating town.

The town was officially erased from maps in 1991, and has since become a home for vagrant graffiti practice and not much more. The town was leveled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and all that remains is Ninon Talbot's recipes that captivated tourists for decades.

[AZ Central][Santa Claus, Arizona via Wikipedia][Todd Huffman via Flickr]