 On Oct. 24, 1923, the Roseville Press Tribune published a warning to those who wished to play pranks on Halloween. In part, the article read:
“Parents should caution their children to be very, very careful in practicing Halloween pranks this year, as there is grave danger of the youngsters being greeted with a dose of lead…Better lay off the Halloween pranks this year, rather than take any chances.”
Halloween pranks were very common from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. In Placer County, Halloween pranks were the norm with towns such as Lincoln, Newcastle and Auburn reporting incidents such as wagons being moved, farming tools strung up on flagpoles and farm animals let out of their pens. But by the 1920s, a lot of communities were fed up with Halloween shenanigans, which delved more into reckless vandalism than good-humored pranks. In 1924, a group of students broke into the Newcastle school and caused extensive damage to the building and to school supplies.
This issue was nationwide and some local governments around the county took steps to ban Halloween celebrations. Halloween parties, which were popular in the early 1900s, became focused on creating community celebrations and tried to give kids a safer way to celebrate the holiday. In some communities, young people would go to one house to acquire their costumes, the next house for snacks and the next house for refreshments. At the next house or barn they would play games and at the last house, they’d tell scary stories. We don’t know for sure exactly where the ritual of trick or treating began, but it likely evolved organically from these community parties sometime in the 1930s.
From our collection: Halloween Card depicting a Halloween prank, c. 1910
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
 Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Roseville: Trunk or Treat, Indoor Trick or Treat, Family Fun Night
Rocklin: Deer Creek Farm Pumpkin Patch by Compassion Planet, TNT Kidz Center's Annual Trunk or Treat
Lincoln:Downtown Trick or Treat
Auburn: PCTPA Community Health Fair, Sunday Markets on Commercial Street, Oldtown & Downtown Auburn Safe Trick-Or-Treat, October 27 – “Forest Bathing”(Shinrin-Yoku) walk at Big Hill Preserves
Colfax: Trunk or Treat Downtown Colfax
North Lake Tahoe: Harvest Fest: Tricks, Treats, and Spooky Eats!, Fall Harvest Farmer’s Market, Spooktacular Dog Rescue Halloween Fundraiser!
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
|
