Richfield resident Emily Day remembered that going to downtown Minneapolis to shop was an event, and was done only for items that couldn't be found in neighborhood stores, such as Christmas gifts for the family.
The downtown districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul drew large crowds of shoppers during the holidays in the post-war years. Streets and store fronts boasted elaborate holiday decorations and window displays to help get shoppers in the gift-giving spirit.
This photograph shows busy shoppers crossing Nicollet Avenue in front of Dayton's Department Store in Minneapolis in 1954.
Creator: Norton & Peel
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society
Date: 1954
Identifer: location NP227337
