Letters to Santa expected to fill mailboxes in Christmas, Florida

CHRISTMAS, Fla. (FOX 13) - Off the beaten path on the outskirts of Orlando's theme parks, there's a little Christmas all year round. Christmas, Florida is a popular postmark with a long and well-traveled history.

"We'll have a line out the door, said Dawn King, Christmas' postmaster. "The local people try and stay away during Christmas because it's so crazy.”

Christmas goes way back to December 25, 1837. The U.S. Army built Fort Christmas during the second Seminole War.

"Our fort was built in three days, and in March of the next year, it was abandoned; never used again," explained Joseph Adams, park ranger at Fort Christmas.

A town sprang up around the fort, followed by a post office. The first three post offices we're actually in peoples' homes. 

Generations of tourists from around the world couldn't resist making the Christmas post office a favorite holiday stop, a tradition very much alive and well today. Kids will pop a dozen or so letters a day in Santa's mailbox right through Christmas. 

"The kids are just overwhelmed. They're just in awe," King said. "We have Santa's helpers that do their best to answer their questions as long as they put a return address on there."

The small town is still embracing its name, and the Christmas spirit that comes with it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

- Fort Christmas Historical Park
- Christmas, Florida Post Office