This photograph of Christmas lights at the Square in Thurmont dates from the early 1960's. The Square had a big display for many years until it was decided that the colorful lights were interfering with the traffic signals. Other earlier photos of the Square at Christmas show a tree suspended above the intersection and a large display of lights in the shape of a flag. You can also see the decorations on the new aluminum light poles, there were also swags of greenery with colored lights across Main Street, Water Street, and North Church Street.

All the businesses are all lit up with the most prominent being Donald and Freda Lewis's Corner Store at the right. The Lewis's purchased this business in 1952 from eh Wisotzkey Brothers. The store featured an amazing soda fountain bar along the far wall, a great selection of candies, cards, gifts, magazines, and of course Toyland upstairs. Lewis's was located on the Square at the intersection of East Main Street and Water Street. The next storefront down East Main Street also belonged to the Lewis's and housed the Lewis Sporting Good Store. Donald was an avid fisherman and was always willing to offer advice about equipment or the best spots to fish. One of the most interesting features of the building was the corner door seen here, the Thurmont Bank building across the street also featured a corner door. Donald and Freda were very involved in the town and loved by everyone, Freda died in 2004 and Donald in 2018.
Thurmont had a very vibrant downtown business area well into the mid 1970's.