What is the History of Christmas Lights?
The December tradition of using festive Christmas lights to create warmth and illuminate the darkness of winter is centuries old. It pre-dates the invention of electric strings of lights, by far. Before modern electric lights came into existence, families would attach candles to their tree’s branches and light them in the evenings. After enjoying the spectacle for a minute or two, the candle flames would be blown out. The tree candles ended up resulting in numerous fires.
Twinkling, colorful electric lights were first introduced in America by Edward Johnson, a partner, and friend of Thomas Edison, in 1882. His idea was to replace the candles with electric lights connected by a string. He started off by stringing eight pear-shaped light bulbs on a wire. The first string lights were red, white, and blue, and they dazzled spectators at his first tree lighting.
Because Americans were leery of electricity at the time, the idea did not spread widely in the United States at first. Additionally, the bulbs were expensive, and therefore not practical to most. When first introduced, a string of electric lights sold for about a week’s worth of wages for the average worker.
In the 1920s, General Electric marketed pre-assembled lights at a much cheaper price, making them more accessible to the public. In 1895, President Grover Cleveland lit the White House Christmas tree with strings of electric lights, which helped to make them more popular.
Where Can I See Christmas Lights in Sacramento?
This year, although there are fewer options for Christmas outings due to the pandemic, driving around neighborhoods that are decorated for the holiday is one option still available. Below are some of the areas in and around Sacramento that you can drive through to see festive lights. Pack up some gingerbread and hot chocolate, play some Christmas music, and enjoy the displays from the safety of your own vehicle.
- Antelope
- North Country Drive
- Eagle Peak Way
- Auburn
- Sunset Ridge Drive
- Cameron Park
- Spring Meadow Road
- Citrus Heights
- Bitterbush Way
- Farmgate Way
- Orelle Creek Court
- Elk Grove
- Benedix Way
- Sao Tiago Way
- Paul Do Mar Way
- Mainstay Court
- Provencial Court
- Marlemont Court
- Great Egret Court
- Fair Oaks
- Buena Vista Avenue
- Kanihan Court
- Lemon Street
- Folsom
- Thorndike Way
- Hildebrand Circle
- Granite Bay
- Royall Oaks Drive
- Placerville
- Five Mile Road
- Rancho Cordova
- Lambrusca Drive
- Rocklin
- Devin Drive
- Sacramento
- River Raft Court
- Kranhold Way
- F Parkway
- Countryfield Drive
- The Fab Forties
- West Sacramento
- Kents Court
- Roseville
- Hillsford Court
- Falcon Way
- Sienna Loop
- Bayside Church at 6401 Stanford Ranch Road will have a display active through December 31, with the exception of 12/24 and 12/25. Free tickets are being offered through their website with the intention of controlling traffic. The church is also hosting outdoor ice skating daily through January 3, 2021. Masks and social distancing are required.
Unfortunately, many of the standard holiday light displays will not be active this year. Most notably, the residents of Dovewood Court in Orangevale are not doing their usual big holiday light display in order to avoid the mass gatherings that occur on their street each year. In addition, Cal Expo’s Global Winter Wonderland, Macy’s Theater of Lights, and Folsom Zoo’s Holiday Lights are all dark this year.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a half-hour video featuring incredible Christmas light displays.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Sacramento. As we head toward the end of 2020, continue to drive safely. The holiday season is historically a time when many automobile accidents occur. If you have suffered injuries due to the negligent actions of another driver, call to speak with one of our experienced injury lawyers. If appropriate, we can set up a no-obligation consultation or simply offer free and friendly legal advice. Call our office at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. If it is your preference to communicate electronically, feel free to use our online form.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/christmas-lights-tree-lights-chain-5795171/
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