Oscar Philipps

“Santa Claus Postmaster“
Santa Claus, Indiana
1889 – 1947

International Santa Claus Hall of Fame – December 2024

Oscar Philipps, was Postmaster of the town of Santa Claus, Indiana from 1935 until his death in 1947. During his time as postmaster, Philipps was tasked with handling the millions of additional letters that arrived at the small post office every holiday season. Because of this, he was instrumental in perpetuating the town’s tradition of answering children’s letters to Santa Claus from around the globe. Philipps was often referred to as the “real Santa Claus” because of his efforts and his appearances as the jolly elf.

In 2025, it will be 90 years from when Oscar Phillips became the Santa Claus, Indiana Postmaster. During the same year, the town of Santa Claus “came alive” with the opening of Santa’s Candy Castle of Santa Claus Town Park and a 22 foot Santa Claus Statue which became the featured entity in what was to be called Santa Claus Park. Philipps was a part of both these attractions and that helped the town Santa Claus become a destination for lovers of Christmas and the jolly old elf.