Snoopy House Installed at Costa Mesa City Hall

Each year since 1967, Jim Jordan has been setting up the Snoopy House-- an elaborate "Peanuts'' Christmas display in front of his childhood home.

Linus might say it's what Christmas is all about.

A 44 year holiday tradition was saved Sunday when it was moved to its new home in front of Costa Mesa City Hall.

Each year since 1967, Jim Jordan has been setting up the Snoopy House-- an elaborate "Peanuts'' Christmas display in front of his childhood home. For Costa Mesa residents, it's become an important holiday event, attracting an estimated 80,000 visitors.

But Jordon, who began having financial troubles, lost his home when the bank foreclosed last month which meant the Snoopy house would be no more.

"I was heart sick and didn’t know what to do," Jordan said. "We didn't know what to do with the Snoopy house. We've been running this for 44 years. This is our gift back to the community,"

But when regular visitors to the Christmas display learned that Jordon wouldn't be able to do it this year, they started making phone calls.

"Never under estimate the power of soccer Moms," Jordan said. "They became enraged and started making phone calls. People started showing up. Signs for 'Save the Snoopy House' went up. It was an incredible experience to see the outpouring of public support."

Then came a call from City Hall.

"We just wanted to step in. The city's goal right now is to save the Snoopy house," said Dan Joyce, Public Affairs Manager for the city of Costa Mesa. "Allowing the community to come in and enjoy what they've been enjoying for the last 44 years."

With the help of a local towing company, city hall officials, and community members including the Estancia Football team, the display was moved Sunday from Jordan's home and installed in front of Costa Mesa city hall.

"My inside leaped for joy and my back went 'oh no,'" Jordan said. "The people at city hall have been fantastic. They've been warm. I even had the CEO out here doing labor. It was tremendous. And he had a smile on his face."

City officials said the Snoopy house will go live on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m.

"We're having an absolute blast," Jordan said. "Honest to god I feel like I'm living in a Frank Capra movie."

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