Prepared by the Education Committee of the Fall River Historical Society
A look back at Halloween and how it was celebrated one hundred years ago during the month of October 1926.
Reviewing the newspapers Fall River Herald News and Fall River Daily Globe during the month of October provided information on how the residents celebrated Halloween.
In 1926, Halloween fell on Sunday, October 31, creating an opportunity for celebrations to take place three days during the weekend. The city had celebrations throughout the month. These celebrations were organized by the various churches, social organizations, and employees of the various businesses within the city. There were also many house parties held throughout the city. Celebrations usually were parties providing refreshments consisting of donuts, pies, ciders, with entertainment, dancing and live music from orchestras, games, and costumes with contests awarding prizes.
Halloween was obviously a fun time in the city and provided opportunities for all ages to get together in every neighborhood. Decorating was popular with some stores offering Halloween novelties for sale and special Halloween candies. Costumes appear to have been made at home and do not appear to be offered for sale at stores; some were made with paper. Stores with advertisements for Halloween costumes and novelties were Adams Book Store, James Bounakes, and Mohican Drug Company.
Candy had an important role in the Halloween celebrations. Stores in the city that advertised selling candy were: Brady Drug Store (39 cents to $1.25 a pound); James Bounakes; McWhirr’s (5 to 59 cents); Mohican Drug Company; and Steiger’s (1,000 pounds of candy from 5 cents to 1 dollar).
Churches and their clubs and societies providing celebrations were: Advent Christian Church, Children of Mary Sodality of Saint Louis Church, Baptist Temple, Epsworth League of Union Church, Girls’ Friendly Society of Saint John’s Church, Girls’ Friendly Society, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Junior Girls of Bogle Street Church, Fidelis Girls of Central Congregational Church, Ladies Auxiliary of Saint Anthony Church, Manchester Evangelical Church, Mothers of Little Helpers Society, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, Philathea Class of First Primitive Methodist Church, Plain Street Italian Methodist Episcopal Church, Saint Francis Guild, Saint Galahad Club of Saint Luke’s Church, Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Sunday School Unitarian Church, Voyages Club of Saint Stephen’s Church, Women’s Social Club of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church, Young Peoples’ Society First Congregational Church, and Young Peoples’ Society of Third Baptist Church.
Schools and their Parent Teachers Association, City Recreation Department at Border City, Aldrich and Wixon Schools, the faculty of Henry Lord and Morton Junior High Schools, Jerome Dwelly School P.T.A., Osborn School P.T.A., and William S. Greene School P.T.A. also provided entertainment.
Social clubs providing celebrations were: Bank Street Armory National Guard, British Ladies Social Club, Bowling League of American Print Works, Caledonian Ladies Aid Society, City Hall Municipal Clerks, Club Calumet, Daughters of Isabella, Fall River General Hospital Nurses Alumni, Fall River Girls Club, Fall River Permanent Firemen’s Auxiliary, Fidamies Club of Elks Hall, King Philip Mills Club, Ladies Auxiliary of Fraternal Order of Eagles, McWhirr’s Employee Association, Nursing Staff of Fall River General Hospital, Nursing Staff of Union Hospital, Puritan Lodge of International Order Good Temperence Templars, Telephone Girls “Hello Girls”, Watonga Council of Knights of Pythias, Women’s Catholic Associates, and Young Men’s Protestant Temperence Benevolent Society.
October 1926 was a good time to live in Fall River and celebrate the Halloween holiday and season. The Fall River Police Department reported hundreds were on the streets, with few out after 10 pm; they received few complaints on Halloween night, October 31. Destructive complaints like tearing off yard gates, doorsteps, and broken windows were few and no calls to make arrests and to stop the celebrations were received.
Researched by, Charles J. Cullen, Board Member, October 12, 2026
