Artifact Friday: 1931 Ford Model A Closed Cab Pickup

With Halloween spookily approaching this Saturday, we must talk about the historic background of Halloween and where exactly trick-or-treating came from. To trace back this history we can look at the 1931 Ford Model A Closed Cab Pickup; this car was manufactured during the peak of the great depression. On October 31st, 1933, this night would be deemed ‘black Friday’ due to unrest over the economic depression that was rampant throughout the country. Widespread destructive vandalism took place across the country, including flipping cars, taking up sidewalks, and sawing down telephone poles. The 1931 Ford Model A that we have up and running in our collection is a perfect example of a car that would have been overturned that night in 1933. Millions of dollars of damage was done to public and private property. Storefront windows were destroyed, fires were set, and false fire alarms were pulled creating large unrest within communities to show the struggle that was taking place throughout the country. After black Halloween, many called for Halloween to be canceled altogether, while others made alternative activities to draw children and teens away from vandalism. Halloween activities included parades, haunted houses, and parties. Towns started the idea of offering treats and goodies at their doors to prevent pranks that happened just the year before. This started the rise of trick-or-treating and has continued to be a yearly tradition that many love to participate in. This Ford Model A Pickup brings back a time in history for Halloween and another reality of struggle that an economic depression brought on. Come see us on October 31st for our final ride-along of the year in which you can ride in our 1931 Ford Model A!