Historical photos show Halloween pumpkins from the 1930s to the ’50s
Maine’s Halloween Pumpkins: A Three‑Decade Look at a Timeless Tradition
Every October, Mainers lace the streets with orange‑sized reminders of the season: pumpkins. From the bustling farmers’ markets of Portland to the family farms of Weld, the state’s pumpkins have long been the centerpiece of Halloween celebrations. A trio of historic photographs—taken in 1939, 1946, and 1958—illustrate how this simple crop has woven itself into the fabric of Maine’s cultural heritage.
1939: Portland’s Market Scene
In late October of 1939, a farmers’ market on Federal Street in Portland became a gathering place for pumpkin enthusiasts. Among those seen in the photograph taken by the Portland Sunday Telegram on October 29 was George A. Stuart of Scarborough, who was actively selling pumpkins. He was surrounded by two young Mainers, Ann Donnolly and Monson Douglas, who were chatting with him. The image captures a casual moment of commerce and community, underscoring how pumpkins were already a staple of local trade and holiday preparation at the end of the decade.
1946: A Sweet Farmyard Surprise
A week after the war had ended, another snapshot from October 15, 1946, features Betty Small and Grace J. Whitmore standing beside a 110‑pound pumpkin grown on the farm of Thomas A. Schofield in Weld. The pair were students from Farmington State Teachers College, indicating that the tradition was as much a part of educational life as it was of rural commerce. The pumpkin, large enough to serve as a centerpiece for a Halloween feast, sits next to a black cat, a nod to the season’s superstitions. The photo, published in the Portland Press Herald, offers a glimpse into mid‑century Maine’s family‑oriented holiday culture.
1958: Paws, People, and a Giant
Fast forward to October 26, 1958, and a photograph from the Maine Sunday Telegram shows Sally Ferguson and Linda Pellacani with a huge pumpkin and a litter of seven beagle puppies. The scene, captured in a cheerful domestic setting, suggests that pumpkins were not only a decorative element but also a communal gathering point. The inclusion of the puppies adds a layer of warmth, hinting at the role of pumpkins as a catalyst for family fun during the holiday season.
The Broader Picture
These images, spanning nearly two decades, illustrate a consistent theme: pumpkins as a shared, seasonal tradition in Maine. Whether sold on a bustling market street, nurtured on a rural farm, or displayed in a family home, the pumpkin has been a symbol of harvest, community, and celebration. The tradition of picking, carving, and displaying pumpkins has transcended generations, linking the past with present customs as Halloween approaches each year.
Maine’s pumpkin‑carving heritage, captured in photographs from the 1930s to the 1950s, reminds us that while technology and styles change, the simple pleasure of a well‑chosen pumpkin remains a beloved part of the state’s cultural tapestry.
