From Candlemas, To A Rodent, To A Newspaper Mans Publicity Stunt -
How We Came To Listen To A Groundhogs Weather Prediction.
"Until 1886, the Punxsutawney Groundhog was roasted more often then he was toasted. A group of local hunters and gourmets held an annual groundhog hunt in the late summer, and ended the event each year by barbecuing their catch." At that picnic In 1886, newspaperman Clymer Freas, recalled the groundhog day lore (which had evolved from the Candlemas tradition), and proclaimed that the Punxsutawney groundhog was the official weather predictor. He created a home for the groundhog on Gobblers Knob, and along with a group of "Groundhog Club" members began making the annual trek to Gobblers knob to see the rodents prediction.
Phil's Burrow, in Punxsutawney
The first mention I found of Groundhog day in Pennsylvania newspapers was a full 35 years prior to Clymer Freas proclamation. The Lebanon Courier explained the Groundhog Day Superstition in 1852-
The Lebanon Courier
February 13 1852
From our visit to the event in Punxsutawney 2009
Candlemas
But the history behind groundhogs day actually goes back much further - to the 4th century. It starts with a Christian Celebration called Candlemas, when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. This, they felt, would bring blessings to their household for the remaining winter. This date, February 2nd, was chosen to signify three events : the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and the Virgin Mary’s purification. As Jesus is "The Light Of The World", this evolved into the candlemas blessing ceremony.
Groundhog Day, 2009
An English folk song highlights a weather superstition that was added to the event:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
The Altoona Tribune
Feb 3 1866
So How Did We Go From Candles To Groundhogs?
I couldn't find a clear answer. Only that when the tradition was introduced in Germany, a hedgehog was added to the lore. And when the Germans brought the tradition to America, the hedgehog was replaced by a groundhog.
A New Jersey Newspaper in 1916 credits the groundhog addition to Indian Lore.
Trenton Evening Times
1 February 1916
However it happened, by 1852, Ground-Hog Day was a recognized tradition.
From our visit to the event in Punxsutawney 2009
The Raftsmans Journal (Clearfield PA)
Feb 4 1857
Why A Groundhog from Punxatawney Pa?
Ironically enough, the groundhog that is now revered in Punxatawney was the target of an annual hunt, that ended with a large picnic where the groundhog was served. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, on Jan 29 1961 reported "Until 1886, the Punxsutawney Groundhog was roasted more often then he was toasted. A group of local hunters and gourmets held an annual groundhog hunt in the late summer, and ended the event each year by barbecuing their catch."
Clymer Freas, editor of the Punxetawney Spirit Newspaper, dubbed the picnickers the Groundhog Club. Recalling the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of the groundhog as a weather prophet, Freas gave the groundhog a home on Gobblers Knob and began an annual event of trekking to the hill to see if the rodent spotted his shadow.
In 2009 our family made the trip to Gobblers Knob for groundhog day. We parked in town and took a school bus up to the field, where we stood in a crowd to watch men in top hats speak with a groundhog. And then there were fireworks.
There was a small craft fair in a large church, and a few stands. Overall, it was a much smaller event, although there were a large number of attendees, than I had anticipated. Still, it's one of those trips I'm really glad we made. It's a Pennsylvania tradition.
One of the many painted groundhogs around town in Punxsutawney in 2009
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An excellent article on the history of Groundhog Day! So many stories about the holiday just regurgitate the same few trivial tidbits of information, but you've clearly done your research. I especially appreciate that you shared the original newspaper clippings. Well done, and thank you! -- Mark, Groundhog Nerd
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