A Look Back at Vacations in 1926
Summer vacation — which is in a close race with Christmas for the title of “most wonderful time of the year” — is finally here.
More than two months of leisure and fun stretch out before the children, and even adults whose employment obligations continue throughout the season still look forward to a more relaxed schedule, a slower pace, and perhaps an opportunity to take a few vacation days, or even a week.
It was the same for our ancestors of 100 years ago, although perhaps on a somewhat different timetable. Although Owensboro, Utica, West Louisville, and Whitesville high schools were scheduled to begin summer vacation in May, an article published in the March 25, 1926, edition of the Messenger-Inquirer noted that a total of 96 “rural schools” had closed in March, noting their students had been “turned out to aid parents or play.”
Young men between the ages of 17 and 24 had the opportunity to spend the months of July and August at Camp Knox or Fort Thomas in Kentucky or Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, enrolling in a Citizens’ Military Training Camp.
“With many thousands of dollars’ worth of athletic equipment furnished by the government and sports of all kinds provided and encouraged at these camps, the American boy finds here a perfect summer vacation with no personal expense whatever,” according to an April 23, 1926, article in the Owensboro Messenger. Indeed, “the government pays the railroad fare to and from the camps.” Applicants were required to be “up to the standard physically, mentally and morally.”
Those wishing to stay closer to home still had plenty of opportunities for socialization. A July Fourth dance to be held at the Lee Birk Loose Leaf tobacco warehouse — the first of the season — promised to be filled with “many out of town guests and college students home for the summer vacation.”
Fishing parties on the banks of the Ohio River — including picnic lunches — were another option, and articles about dinner parties and house parties filled the society pages of the newspaper a century ago.
For younger children, Vacation Bible Schools were a popular destination. One hosted by the Gospel Mission at the corner of Eighth and Hall streets advertised courses promising to be “very interesting as well as a great value to the children and young people of the community in which the mission is located.” Those courses, listed in the June 9, 1926, edition of the Messenger-Inquirer, included “Bible study, Bible stories, needlework and instrumental music. Recreational games, patriotic drills and assembly programs will add to the enjoyment of the sessions.”
Public school teachers, Sunday school teachers, and church workers volunteered to facilitate these sessions.
For those wishing to travel, the Kirkpatrick Motor Co. in Owensboro extended an interesting challenge in their advertisement: “Let’s go! Where? On your summer vacation in that new Ford car. Don’t be a grouch. If you are sick, see a doctor. If you are dead to the world, call the undertaker. Be a booster and enjoy the summer and buy your car from Joe, the Ford salesman.”
But first, of course, one must have the funds to pay for a car, or a vacation. Not to worry: Way back in March, the National Deposit Bank had invited people to participate in their planned saving program: “If you are planning a trip this summer, we shall be glad to talk it over with you and assist you in figuring how much you should put aside each week in order to be able to enjoy your vacation to the fullest when it arrives.”
Good advice then, good advice now. Enjoy your summer! OL
