Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Hi everyone! In honor of Halloween, I'm taking a look at the history behind one of the most ubiquitous symbols of the season and treat or tricking: the Jack-o'-Lantern. Where did Jack-o'-Lanterns come from? And when did carrying a plastic Jack-o'-Lantern while trick or treating become a thing?
Sources:
Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon, Cindy Ott, 2012 (google.com/books/edition/Pumpkin/JJkcpAHkKHMC?hl=en&gbpv=0)
America’s Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories, Bruce David Forbes, 2015 (google.com/books/edition/America_s_Favorite_Holidays/V48kDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0)
“Jack O’ The Lantern,” E.W., The Dublin Penny Journal, Jan 16, 1836 (via newspapers.com)
The story of Jack-o’-lantern: ‘If you knew the sufferings of that forsaken craythur,’” Jessica Traynor, The Irish Times, Oct 29, 2019 (irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-story-of-jack-o-lantern-if-you-knew-the-sufferings-of-that-forsaken-craythur-1.4065773)
‘Jack-o’-lantern, Jack-a-lantern,” Oxford English Dictionary, 16th edition, 1989 (oed.com/oed2/00122751)
“The History of 'Jack-O'-Lantern,'” Merriam-Webster (merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-history-of-jack-o-lantern)
“Jack-O-Lantern Time is Here,” The Bangor Daily News, Oct 29, 1902 (via newspapers.com)
“Anoka’s First Halloween Celebration was an Anti-Prank Measure,” Susan Marks, MinnPost, Oct 29, 2018 (minnpost.com/mnopedia/2018/10/anokas-first-halloween-celebration-was-an-anti-prank-measure/)
“Peggy Ann Visits the Marts and Gives Some Tips,” The Leader, Oct 19, 1923 (via newspapers.com)
“Fire Chief Can Now Say, ‘I Told You,’” The Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Nov 1, 1936 (via newspapers.com)
“Hallowe’en Fire Warning Giving,” Monrovia Daily News-Post, Oct 28, 1946 (via newspapers.com)
“Jack-o’-Lantern Dangers Cited,” The Portsmouth Herald, Oct 22, 1949 (via newspapers.com)
“Busy Fire Prevention Week Observance Is Planned Here,” The Owensboro Messenger, Oct 7, 1951 (via newspapers.com)
“The Kids Get Excited,” The Honolulu Advertiser, Oct 30, 1964 (via newspapers.com)
“Halloween – It’s Treat for All Kids,” James Keeran, The Pantagraph, Oct 29, 1967 (via newspapers.com)
“Trick-Or-Treat Bounty Astound,” Bill Roberts, The Indianapolis News, Oct 23, 1967 (via newspapers.com)
“This Treat Is A Dirty Trick,” Asheville Citizen, Nov 6, 1974 (via newspapers.com)
“McDonald’s McBoo Happy Meals,” Matt Caracappa, The News Journal, Oct 25, 2003 (via newspapers.com)
“Early Jack-o’-Lanterns Fetch Frightfully Good Prices,” Ralph & Terry Kovel, The Palm Beach Post, Oct 28, 2001 (via newspapers.com)
“Collectors Haunted by Jack-o’-Lanterns,” Ralph & Terry Kovel, The Hoosier Times, October 24, 2004 (via newspapers.com)
Hi everyone! In honor of Halloween, I'm taking a look at the history behind one of the most ubiquitous symbols of the season and treat or tricking: the Jack-o'-Lantern. Where did Jack-o'-Lanterns come from? And when did carrying a plastic Jack-o'-Lantern while trick or treating become a thing?
Sources:
Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon, Cindy Ott, 2012 (google.com/books/edition/Pumpkin/JJkcpAHkKHMC?hl=en&gbpv=0)
America’s Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories, Bruce David Forbes, 2015 (google.com/books/edition/America_s_Favorite_Holidays/V48kDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0)
“Jack O’ The Lantern,” E.W., The Dublin Penny Journal, Jan 16, 1836 (via newspapers.com)
The story of Jack-o’-lantern: ‘If you knew the sufferings of that forsaken craythur,’” Jessica Traynor, The Irish Times, Oct 29, 2019 (irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-story-of-jack-o-lantern-if-you-knew-the-sufferings-of-that-forsaken-craythur-1.4065773)
‘Jack-o’-lantern, Jack-a-lantern,” Oxford English Dictionary, 16th edition, 1989 (oed.com/oed2/00122751)
“The History of 'Jack-O'-Lantern,'” Merriam-Webster (merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-history-of-jack-o-lantern)
“Jack-O-Lantern Time is Here,” The Bangor Daily News, Oct 29, 1902 (via newspapers.com)
“Anoka’s First Halloween Celebration was an Anti-Prank Measure,” Susan Marks, MinnPost, Oct 29, 2018 (minnpost.com/mnopedia/2018/10/anokas-first-halloween-celebration-was-an-anti-prank-measure/)
“Peggy Ann Visits the Marts and Gives Some Tips,” The Leader, Oct 19, 1923 (via newspapers.com)
“Fire Chief Can Now Say, ‘I Told You,’” The Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Nov 1, 1936 (via newspapers.com)
“Hallowe’en Fire Warning Giving,” Monrovia Daily News-Post, Oct 28, 1946 (via newspapers.com)
“Jack-o’-Lantern Dangers Cited,” The Portsmouth Herald, Oct 22, 1949 (via newspapers.com)
“Busy Fire Prevention Week Observance Is Planned Here,” The Owensboro Messenger, Oct 7, 1951 (via newspapers.com)
“The Kids Get Excited,” The Honolulu Advertiser, Oct 30, 1964 (via newspapers.com)
“Halloween – It’s Treat for All Kids,” James Keeran, The Pantagraph, Oct 29, 1967 (via newspapers.com)
“Trick-Or-Treat Bounty Astound,” Bill Roberts, The Indianapolis News, Oct 23, 1967 (via newspapers.com)
“This Treat Is A Dirty Trick,” Asheville Citizen, Nov 6, 1974 (via newspapers.com)
“McDonald’s McBoo Happy Meals,” Matt Caracappa, The News Journal, Oct 25, 2003 (via newspapers.com)
“Early Jack-o’-Lanterns Fetch Frightfully Good Prices,” Ralph & Terry Kovel, The Palm Beach Post, Oct 28, 2001 (via newspapers.com)
“Collectors Haunted by Jack-o’-Lanterns,” Ralph & Terry Kovel, The Hoosier Times, October 24, 2004 (via newspapers.com)
