When the intrepid couple, Con and Nellie Miller, ventured into Fairbanks, Alaska in 1949, they arrived with a mere $1.40 and two children eager for a meal. Driven to build a life in the Alaskan territory, Con established himself as a merchant and fur buyer across remote villages. It was during these travels that an old red Santa suit transformed Con into a local legend. Each Christmas, he became “Santa Claus” to the village children, for many, the very first St. Nick they had ever encountered.
By 1952, the Millers set their sights on establishing a trading post thirteen miles south of Fairbanks, in a region recently christened “North Pole.” As they tirelessly worked on their new store, a young Alaskan boy approached Con, instantly recognizing him. “Hello, Santa Claus!” he exclaimed, “Are you building a new house?” Inspiration sparked, and the new store was destined to be named “Santa Claus House!”
However, in its nascent years, Santa Claus House was more about everyday necessities than festive trinkets. Strategically located between two military bases and at the heart of the burgeoning North Pole, Santa Claus House became a vital community hub. Beyond groceries, residents gathered at the soda fountain for social interaction and collected their daily mail. Under Nellie Miller’s guidance as Postmistress, Santa Claus House became North Pole’s inaugural Post Office, a service it provided for nearly two decades.
As North Pole flourished, Santa Claus House evolved in tandem. In 1972, a significant change occurred when the state rerouted the Richardson Highway, bypassing the store’s original location. Unfazed, the Millers relocated and constructed a new storefront directly on the newly established four-lane highway – the very location where Santa Claus House stands proudly today. Inside, the shelves gradually shifted from canned goods to an ever-growing collection of Christmas treasures and delights.
Despite the transformations, the Miller family’s dedication to the North Pole community remained unwavering. Con Miller dedicated 19 years to serving as the Mayor of North Pole, the city’s longest-serving mayor to date. Nellie Miller, equally involved, acted as the Marriage Commissioner, uniting thousands of couples in matrimony within the walls of Santa Claus House.
Over the years, Santa Claus House expanded, welcoming a new wing and an impressive landmark – a 42-foot tall, 900-pound, three-dimensional Santa Claus statue. This jovial giant was strategically placed just outside the store, extending a warm welcome to visitors of all ages to Santa Claus House.
Crafted in the 1960s by Wes Stanley of Stanley Plastics, this Santa statue was the prototype for a trio of colossal Santa figures created that year. After a journey to Anchorage, Alaska, Con Miller acquired Santa in 1978 for $4,500. Santa then embarked on a truck journey to North Pole in four pieces to navigate highway overpasses. Upon arrival in 1983, Santa was in disrepair but underwent extensive restoration, regaining his cheerful smile and finding his permanent home at Santa Claus House.
Santa Claus House has garnered global attention, featured in numerous publications and television programs worldwide.
The Santa Claus House family legacy, initiated over 70 years ago by Con and Nellie Miller, thrives as successive generations of Millers continue to build upon their foundation, embracing the future. Should you be among the countless visitors to Santa Claus House annually, you might just catch a glimpse of the Millers, diligently carrying out their daily tasks. Whether dispatching Santa letters to children around the globe or greeting guests at Santa Claus House, when they wish you a “Merry Christmas!” – you know it comes from the heart of where Santa Claus truly resides.
