01/14/2026
Paper Chains, Stockings and a Mesquite Christmas Tree at the Rincon Schoolhouse
The best memories are made together, with family, friends, and community. Decorated Christmas trees, lights, and other symbols of the season are everywhere we look during the holidays. So much so, that in 2016 we may start to take it all for granted. In December 1947, the 12 students attending the Rincon one-room school were practicing for their Christmas program. They were memorizing lines, rehearsing songs. They were making hats, capes and other costume pieces out of crepe paper, and looking forward to presenting their program and to the treats that would be given out afterwards. Small bags with candy, an orange, and maybe, even a small gift.
Temperatures were a little colder, and everyone was grateful for the potbellied stove in the center of the room. The children, used to helping with chores at home, didnât mind taking their turn bringing in wood. Nothing was taken for granted. That morning, Mr. Hershberger, their teacherâs husband, told the students that they would be getting their own Christmas tree! This was very exciting. Almost no one had a real Christmas tree at home, much less decorations. It was an extravagance their families could not afford.
Miguel Escalante, one of the students, wondered how they would have time during recess to go to where the pine trees were. He had worked up in the mountains with his father and uncles and knew how far they would have to walk. Recess finally arrived. Mr. Hershberger and the students began walking north towards the foothills of the Rinconâs. They hadnât walked far when Mr. Hershberger pointed out a small mesquite tree. He asked the students if they thought it would make a nice Christmas tree. They all agreed. The tree was cut and carried back to the classroom where it was set up near Mrs. Hershbergerâs desk. The students spent the rest of their recess making paper chains and stockings to decorate the tree. It was beautiful!
It would be several more years before Miguel would have a tree and decorations at his home. Not until he and his brothers were old enough to work would they be able to purchase those special little âextrasâ for their family. Take time to reflect upon simple pleasures of the season. Like that December day in 1947 when a common mesquite tree and paper ornaments brought smiles to the faces of 12 students in the one room Rincon School.
*The photograph is courtesy of Miguel Escalante and was taken about 17 years earlier than the event in the story takes place. Photographs from before the 1950s and earlier are rare and precious. Many people did not have cameras. If they did spending money on film and developing was another hurdle. Photographs help us connect to our stories and to those who lived in and built the foundations for the Vail we live in today. Contact Vail Preservation Society if you have photographs that could be scanned to help us share more complete stories of Vail. [email protected]
