Joe Higgins Santa Train Collection
1997 and undated
KC Manuscript Collection 156

Archives of the City of Kingsport
Kingsport, Tennessee
ABSTRACT:
The Joe Higgins Santa Train Collection consists of items related to Higgins’s role as Santa Claus on the annual Santa Train that ran between Kingsport, Tennessee and southeast Kentucky.  The Santa Train’s route through northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and southeast Kentucky allowed area children to get free candy and gifts.  Higgins was the train’s first Santa.  Collection materials consist of Higgins’s Santa suit, two 8×10 photographs of Higgins as Santa (with negatives), and publicity generated about the train.

RESTRICTIONS:
There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

COLLECTION CITATION:
This collection should be cited as:
Joe Higgins Santa Train Collection, 1997 and undated.  KC Manuscript Collection 156, Archives of the City of Kingsport, Tennessee.

ACQUISITION:
Clara Higgins donated this collection in November 2000.

PROCESSED BY:
Jeff A. Jenson processed the collection and developed the finding aid in October 2006. Brianne Johnson revised the finding aid in May 2008.

SUBJECTS
Higgins, Joe.
The Santa Train.

BOX AND FOLDER LIST
BOX 1
1. Photographs and Negatives, undated
2. Clippings, 1974-1997 and Santa Train Poem, 1985
3. Clothing, Belt, undated

BOX 2
Clothing, Beard and Wig, undated

BOX 3
Clothing, Includes suit coat, trousers, hat, and a single glove, undated

Santa Claus

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Joe Higgins dressed as Santa Claus for the annual Santa Train.…