Abandoned Santa Claus Land

Updated

Derelict wooden huts and barbed wire fences are clear signs that Santa Claus doesn't live here any more at an abandoned Christmas attraction.

Merry elves and festive cheer are long gone at 'Santa Claus Land', in Arizona, US, a theme park and town once planned to rival Disneyland. American property developer Nina Talbot founded the project  in 1938, convinced the world was crying out for a Yuletide-filled paradise.

Lying close to the world famous Route 66, it proved a roaring success at first as families on holiday stopped to share a taste of Christmas magic.

Wide-eyed children could meet Santa himself, tour his workshops packed with elves and get close to Rudolph on the Reindeer Ride.

Glam rockers Wizard would have loved its Christmas Tree Inn, where the traditional Christmas dinner feast was served up every day of the year.

 (Photos by James Cheadle/Solent News)

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