A San Angelo Tradition Lights Up Hill Street

It started with decorating the exterior of the church next door to their house. Over the years, the lights and tinsel from the church has drifted over and the home of the Campos family has become an attraction during Christmas time.

"We get thousands of people each year," Frank Campos, Sr. said.

With that many visitors Campos said his home has become the setting of Christmas memories for many. The house on Hill Street is covered in lights with a yard decorated with inflatable Christmas characters, miniature houses, and a cross to remind visitors of what the season is all about.

The atmosphere of the home is so festive that his wife, Elizabeth Campos, said they have had three couples get married in their decorated lot.

"It has brought joy to a lot of people," Campos said.

He remembered one year when a woman brought her elderly father to see the lights. She said that her father would bring her to see the lights when she was young, but now she was bringing him. The family hadn't yet turn the lights on for that day, but at the request of the visitor, switched them on.

"They were so happy; it made my day to see that," Campos said.

After leaving the house with her father, the woman returned within an hour, thanking the family with tears in her eyes.

Campos said, "She came back and told us that her father had died on their way home, but his last moments were were so joyful because of our Christmas display."

Elizabeth Campos said it is stories like that that they have heard that inspire them to continue to decorate their home.

"Jesus es la luz del mundo," she said in Spanish--translated to English Jesus is the light of the world.

She said, "Why not light up our yard?"

The Campos family said they have met people from throughout the U.S. who have come to see their Christmas lights.

"One year we had a man from New York come and take pictures. He then made post cards from the pictures of our house," Elizabeth Campos said.

"We can't stop, this is what makes Christmas for a lot of kids." Frank Campos said.

The lights are first turned on Thanksgiving Day and can be seen through Christmas at 2110 Hill Street.