Skip to Main Content

Santa Claus Museum.

Santa Claus Museum

Field review by the editors.

Santa Claus, Indiana

The history of Santa Claus -- the town, not the man -- is told at the Santa Claus Museum, with a section devoted to the town's premiere attraction, Santa Claus Land (now named Holiday World) whose owner is the founder and president of the museum. Visitors can sit in Santa's sleigh for a souvenir photo, or gaze at old postcards and souvenirs from Santa Lands that no longer exist.

We were impressed by dozens of signed celebrity photos lining the walls. Did '70s swingers like Jim "Gomer Pyle" Nabors and tv sportscaster Howard Cosell really visit Santa Claus? No, the curator told us, those photos were just someone's autograph collection. Then she showed us photos of the celebrities who really did visit: Ronald Reagan in 1955 and Jeannie C. "Harper Valley PTA" Riley in 1967.

Santa's typewriter.
Santa's typewriter.

[Kids! Don't read this next paragraph.]

Perhaps the most prized exhibit in the museum is the typewriter used for 30 years in the Santa Claus post office to answer countless Dear Santa letters. That task today is handled in the museum by a staff of volunteer "elves" who respond to roughly 10,000 letters each year. The most charming Dear Santa requests become exhibits in the museum.

Also see: A Town Named Santa Claus

Santa Claus Museum

Address:
69 N. IN-245, Santa Claus, IN
Directions:
South edge of town, on the west side of IN-245, just south of its intersection with IN-162.
Hours:
Call for hours. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
812-544-2434
Admission:
Donations.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

America's First Santa StatueAmerica's First Santa Statue, Santa Claus, IN - < 1 mi.
Santa's Candy CastleSanta's Candy Castle, Santa Claus, IN - < 1 mi.
Holiday WorldHoliday World, Santa Claus, IN - < 1 mi.
In the region:
World War II Navy LST, Evansville, IN - 38 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Indiana

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Indiana.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Indiana Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights