Cleburne, Texas
1867 – 1947

International Santa Claus Hall of Fame – December 2017

Joe Gerard was born in Vinton, Iowa, in 1868. After his family moved to Texas, he went to work for the railroad in 1885. He was 17 at the time and helped lay track from Gainesville, Texas, to Purcell, Oklahoma. By 1900, he had worked up to become an engineer. His run was from Cleburne, Texas, to Purcell, Oklahoma.

In 1901, Joe got the idea of dressing up as Santa Claus and throwing out gifts to children along his route who might otherwise be without Christmas gifts. From his own funds and aided by his wife, he prepared hundreds of packages each year, which he tossed into the eager arms of happy youngsters who gathered to welcome his arrival.

For over 40 years, the Santa Fe engineer distributed presents to children along his route, dressed in his Santa Claus costume. Without knowing it, he created the first “Santa Claus Train” with his first train run in 1901.