About the Society

The Paradise Historical Society met for the first time on June 13, 2000 with fourteen charter members: Edna Wood, Bob and Donna Gayan, Paul and Virgie Potts, Sonny and Gay Read, Robert Crawford, Rosalie Gregg, John and Roberta Campbell, C. G. Skiles, Janice Peyton, and Miriam Vise.

The goal of the Society is to establish the true history of Paradise and surrounding communities, to distribute historical data to interested persons, to complete work on the Veteran's Park in Paradise, and to establish a museum in Paradise.

The Society meets at 7 PM on the second Tuesday in January, March, May, July, September, and November at the Paradise United Methodist Church, 301 South Oak Street in Paradise. Each meeting, with refreshments and a program of historical importance, is open to the public.

Guest Speakers in the past have included Laurie and Julia Moseley of Spingtown TX speaking on The Hill Gang of Parker Co. TX and the killing of Clark Laird in 1874. Other speakers have been John Yates, who spoke on the "Comanche War Trail," and Bill Read of Paradise, who spoke on the "Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge and Re-enactment" Rosalie Gregg of Decatur has also presented a program on the "Lost Battalion." Other speakers include Eddie Matney and other local members who have spoken on their family trees.

Each year in the fall, the Society sponsors the Main Street Festival to raise money for the Veteran's Park in Paradise.

Dues of the Society are $10.00 per person per year. * Anyone over 80 years of age is automatically a member upon request. If you would like to join, simply email us or come to our next meeting.

Current Officers

Edna Wood,
President / Historian

Doris Bridges,
Vice President

Gay Read,
Secretary

Roberta Campbell,
Treasurer

Donna Weeden,
Parliamentarian

 Main Street Festival 2009

Veterans Memorial Site Sept. 26, 2009

Edna Wood introduces speakers Jim Bob Paschall,
Rosalie Gregg and W. B. Woodruff

Frank Blank teaches a young Paradise Boy how clothes were washed many years ago.

Pee Wee Cheerleaders perform at the Festival.

Don Niblett, of the Wise Co. Veterans Association, plays Taps for fallen soldiers.

Quilts of many colors on display

Crowd attends Dedication of the Veterans Memorial Park in 2009.

Cars and Tractors on Display
Main Street Festival Sept. 26, 2009

Paradise Historical Society work at 2009 Festival Booth

Crowd on Main Street Sept 26, 2009

Three Wise County Veterans remember while Paradise Historical Society photographer Gay Read takes pictures.

 

Words written on Plaque at the Veteran's Memorial Park 
located on Main Street in Paradise Texas