The 32' Santa Claus was one of Beauchamp's many contributions to the community's history. In his years with Simpson, and retirement, he left a legacy of creative projects that showcased his gentle humor and sensitivity for spreading joy with his talents. 

A humble man, Clarence Beauchamp arrived in Shelton in 1947 to begin his job with Simpson as the shop painter. Tasks included painting caution signs, forestry signs and promoting safety in the camps. Beauchamp, or "Beau" as he was known by his friends, often volunteered to ply his pen, brush or chisel to a multitude of local projects including a totem pole with interchangeable heads ranking  each camp's safety record; the Simpson Clown troupe that traveled to parades throughout Washington (returning with multiple awards); as well as jaw dropping scale and ingenuity on the Forest Festival sets and floats. Most recognizable for Shelton residents is Beauchamp's log monument on Hwy 3 as you enter Shelton. He prepped and carved the 10 foot log end in the Simpson Shop. It was dedicated in May, 1953, as Mason County celebrated its 100th anniversary of logging . It still stand at Lookout Park, having been recently restored through a partnership with Kristmas Town Kiwanis and the City of Shelton. 

At the age of 66, Beauchamp was commissioned by the Shelton Chamber to design and build the 32' Santa Claus to commemorate Shelton's Christmastown, U.S.A during the 1962 Century 21 Seattle's World Fair. Built in four 16' panels and mounted on poles donated by the PUD #3, the giant structure required the help of multiple crews and boom trucks to erect on the corner of Railroad Avenue and First Street in downtown Shelton. 

The plan, according to a 1962 Mason County Journal article, was to give a "vivid message," to tourists passing though, "that Shelton is 'Christmastown, USA' when this eye-popping plywood Santa Claus rivets their attention." The Santa included a giant bag of Mason County products complete with oysters, lumber and a giant doll that featured a small hinged window that could be opened from the back so that children could peer through and be photographed in the bag with a doll body. 

In the late 1960's, citing degrading paint and the surrounding trees blocking his view, Santa was moved to be stored in the City Garage until 1970 when the Shelton Chamber of Commerce led efforts to restore him to public view and reassembled on Highway 3.

In 1983 Santa Claus was once again restored to Railroad Avenue. This time he was placed in Post Office Park where he remained over 15 years when, paint peeling and plywood chipping, he was destined for the County dump. The Hunter family,  supporters of the Christmastown heritage and holding strong to Christmas tree traditions on their farm in Union, rallied friends to provide trucks to transport Santa's pieces to their barn for safe keeping. To this day Beauchamp's Santa leans his weight against Hunter's barn – standing tall after 56 years of wind, rain and sun – greeting the thousands of families that visit the farm for pumpkins in October and greenery and trees at the holidays.

A Santa Revival

In November 2018 volunteer, artists, and local businesses came together to build a replica of the 1962 design, complete with a door in the doll’s face that children can peer through. 

Keeping as close to Beauchamp's design as possible, artist Wayne Wenstob created scale replica drawings using archival photographs and measurements of the current Santa Claus. The replica drawings were projected on the 32' X 16' plywood "canvas" for tracing.  Each piece was cut with a keyhole locking system to provide a tight and secure fit with no exterior hardware.

Clarence Beauchamp died in 1989 at the age of 92. This project honors his memory as well as that of Christmastown U.S.A. – a magical legacy that runs deep with so many families in the Shelton area. 

Grandmothers and mothers who remember placing their own faces in the doll will now be able to use their smart-phones to recreate the image.

Visit the Beauchamp Santa