Member Spotlight: Santa Has Been Spotted in the Industrial Park — A Temple Holiday Tradition Returns

The holiday season has officially arrived in Temple. Aside from the excitement and pageantry of the Temple Christmas Parade, there is one unmistakable local signal that December is here: Santa has been spotted atop Lengefeld Lumber. For generations, the Jolly Ol’ Elf’s appearance downtown has served as Temple’s unofficial marker that the season of celebration has begun.

Longtime residents know this Santa has stories to tell. The fourteen-foot-tall figure first appeared on a printing building at North Sixth Street and East Adams, where it watched over downtown for years before a spirited group of Temple High School students borrowed him for an ill-fated campus prank.

After a few conversations with authorities, Santa was safely returned and later took up residence atop the Temple Daily Telegram portico on South First Street. His arrival each year let families know the hustle and bustle of the season had begun.

Santa eventually found his way to Lengefeld Lumber’s former location in downtown Temple, where his iconic red suit and bag filled with two-by-fours — the perfect gift for every handyman — became a beloved symbol of Temple’s holiday spirit.

When Lengefeld moved to Lucius McCelvey Drive, the community didn’t forget him. Refurbished and looking none the worse for wear, Santa again stands proudly above the business, greeting residents as December begins.

Now, with Santa once again taking his familiar place above Lengefeld Lumber, the message is clear: the holiday season is here. His return each year ushers in a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and community pride, and is a tradition that stands the test of time.
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Santa, and the Temple Chamber of Commerce, wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year!