About Us
Meet Santa's Reindeer »
Big Santa Information »
Miller Family Story »
It's true. Santa is one really amazing guy. Who else could single-handedly deliver presents to every good boy and girl - both young and young-at-heart - in a single night? Still, even Santa needs some help now and then, and that's where we come in!
Santaland RV Park is owned and operated by the Miller family, a third generation Alaskan family with deep roots in both North Pole and Alaska's political history, and your campground hosts (or head elves, as Santa would say) are Phillip and Teffonie (Miller) Wyman and their four children.
Teffonie is the granddaughter of Con and Nellie Miller, North Pole's original "Mr. and Mrs. Santa." Born and bred right here in North Pole, Alaska, Teffonie remembers her grandpa, Con, as being both "grandpa" and "Santa" throughout her childhood years - and that it seemed the most natural thing in the world!
Teffonie is married to Phillip Wyman, a sourdough in his own right, having moved to North Pole at the age of 2. A former North Slope oil field worker, Phillip is now completing his education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Together, Phillip and Teffonie are raising four little fourth-generation Alaskans!
Now in their seventh year of hosting guests at Santaland RV Park, Phillip and Teffonie and family are absolutely thrilled to welcome you to the park! You'll find Teffonie in the office and Phillip outside, either maintaining the grounds or feeding and training Dasher and Blitzen, Santaland RV Park's resident reindeer.
No matter what they're doing, though, they always have time to stop and answer your questions, supply information, or just chat about what it's like to grow up and live in North Pole, Alaska. Phillip and Teffonie are honored to carry on the Miller family tradition of sharing the spirit of Christmas with those who visit Santaland RV Park, Santa Claus House, and North Pole, Alaska every year.
Reindeer Information
Santaland RV Park is the proud home of two members of Santa's reindeer team!
Dasher and
Blitzen live here at the park
364(!) days a year.
Both Dasher and Blitzen were born at a reindeer farm in Delta Junction, Alaska. Dasher was born in the Spring of 2000, and moved in with us in 2001. Blitzen was born on Easter Day in 2003 and, a hand-fed baby, moved in with us after he was weaned from the bottle. At his arrival, he was about the same size as a fully-grown Great Dane.
Both deer enjoy their new home in North Pole. Their antlers are beautiful, and begin the summer covered in their protective velvet, which will slowly peel off as the summer progresses. Both reindeer enjoy a specialized diet of wheat, barley, and brome. They enjoy human contact and have bonded with Phillip, their caregiver.
Dasher and Blitzen would love to meet you—stop by their corral anytime!
Big Santa Information
A NORTH POLE RIDDLE—Who is 42 feet tall (+ the base), weighs 900 pounds, and has a 33 foot waist?
It's jolly old St. Nick, of course! Our fiberglass Santa Claus was built in 1968 by Wes Stanley of Stanley Plastics in Enumclaw, Washington, for $3500. He was the prototype for the three Santa Clauses constructed that year (the other sculptures were sent to Portland and Nampa, Idaho—their current status is unknown.) After appearing at a Seattle shopping mall during the Christmas season for several years, Santa was sent to Anchorage, AK, in 1976, where he was displayed during the holiday season. Soon, however, Santa was placed in storage. It was then that Con Miller, the founder of Santa Claus House, decided Santa belonged in North Pole. In 1978, Miller purchased the fiberglass creation for $4,500. Santa was driven by truck in four pieces (so he could make it underneath the overpasses on the Parks Highway) to North Pole in 1983. Sadly, upon his arrival, Santa was found to be in very poor condition. However, after $20,000 in repairs, Santa was smiling again. Since then, our hero in red has welcomed the
young and young-at-heart to North Pole, Alaska as a tangible embodiment of Christmas cheer!
The Miller Family Story
Interested in the whole Miller family story? Enjoy!
The Millers, led by Con and Nellie Miller, were the third family to arrive in the fledgling town of North Pole (then known as Davis) and are now the oldest continuously residing family in the city.
Arriving in interior Alaska in the early 1940s (when Alaska was still a US Territory) with $1.40 in their pockets and the dream of owning their own thriving store, Con and Nellie Miller briefly lived in Fairbanks before permanently moving to North Pole. They soon opened a small trading post in the young city. One day, while going through some boxes of merchandise, Con found a bright red Santa suit. That Christmas, he donned the suit and traveled to many local villages awash in the spirit of Christmas. He was the first Santa many of the young village children had ever seen. Con continued playing Santa in the local villages year after year, even while his small trading post began to grow.
Soon, however, the Richardson Highway was rerouted, completely bypassing Con's trading post. Undaunted, he decided to rebuild on the new 4 lane Richardson Highway (as seen today). While working on the building with his young sons, a truck full of many of the children from one of the local villages drove by. Recognizing Con as "Santa," they called out, "Hello, Santa Claus! Are you building a new house?" Instantly,
Santa Claus House was born!
As the years went by, Con and Nellie stayed active in the community. Besides playing Mr. and Mrs. Santa at Christmastime for many years, Con served as North Pole City Mayor for 19 years (an unbroken record), fire chief, parole officer, and city councilman. North Pole became a home rule city during his tenure - he personally delivered the official papers to Juneau, Alaska's State Capitol.
Nellie served as postmistress (the post office was located inside Santa Claus House for many years) and as a Marriage Commissioner. Over the years, hundreds of couples were married by Nellie in the "purple room" at Santa Claus House. Con and Nellie also introduced North Pole to three young Miller children, two boys and a girl.
Both boys, Terry Miller and Mike Miller, grew up to become prominent political leaders in the young state of Alaska. Terry Miller served as Lt. Governor under Gov. Jay Hammond and holds the distinction of being the youngest Lt. Governor in the State's history. Mike Miller served as State Representative and then State Senator for the North Pole area for over 18 years. The brothers also hold the distinction of both sitting as Senate President during their respective tenures in the Alaska State Legislature.
Con and Nellie's daughter, named Merry Christmas, followed her parents into the public eye. She made numerous appearances with her parents in both the USA and Australia as part of the "North Pole Claus" family. Today, both Merry and Mike continue in the family tradition at Santa Claus House, with their children involved in both Santa Claus House and Santaland RV Park as well.
