Happy Holidays from the Paradise Historical Society
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Old Town
Tradition says that Paradise got its name from the beautiful flowers that were growing wild when it was first settled. 'Old Paradise' or 'Old Town' as it is called today, was South of the present elementary school. The town was built in a square, with a well just off the SE corner.
On the North side of the square was a dry goods and grocery store, owned and operated by M.D. Cansler. Also on the North side was the Wise County Messenger, which was established around 1881.
The West side housed a meat market operated by Jim Davis and a grocery and dry goods store owned by Mr. Lowery. South of Lowery, was a dry goods store belonging to Bill Ramsdale and Peter Hamilton. The post office was in the back of the store, and Mr. Ramsdale served as postmaster from 1879-1881.
On the North side of the square was a dry goods and grocery store, owned and operated by M.D. Cansler. Also on the North side was the Wise County Messenger, which was established around 1881.
The West side housed a meat market operated by Jim Davis and a grocery and dry goods store owned by Mr. Lowery. South of Lowery, was a dry goods store belonging to Bill Ramsdale and Peter Hamilton. The post office was in the back of the store, and Mr. Ramsdale served as postmaster from 1879-1881.
There were two saloons in 'Old Town', one on the West side, and one on the South.
Major Jones had a blacksmith shop on the East side of the square. South of this was Captain Rhodes' Drug Store, where he was the operating pharmacist.
There were two gins in 'Old Town'. The first one was owned by Dan Sheen and sat North of the former home of Joe Potts. the cotton was carried in baskets to the gin. There was only one stand, and the cotton ran out onto the floor, where it was picked up by hand and put into a press powered by a team of oxen. The other gin was located at the site of the Elmer Cobb home. It was a steam press and had three stands. Major Jones was the owner and operator of this gin.
There was one hotel in 'Old Town', located at the site of mrs. Koeniger's home. It had two rather large front rooms and two shed rooms, one of which was used as a kitchen. Major Jones also owned and operated the hotel. He and his large family took up residence in this hotel.
Mr. Plymell had a rooming-house in 'Old Town'. People were only housed overnight, and they had to eat breakfasts at the Jones Hotel.
Doctors in 'Old Town' included Brown, Yeater, Raimer, and Gibson-who were all practicing at one time.
There was a stagecoach route from Gainesville to Weatherford, which stopped in Paradise for passengers and mail.
The first church in Paradise was the Methodist Church. It was located on Sunflower Road. It is thought that they had services once a month. This church was organized in 1875, on land donated by O.H.P. Read. The lumber was hauled from Fort Worth and Sherman by wagon, and the church was known as Read Chapel. the church and parsonage were later moved to 'New Town' on July 2, 1901, when Rev. Seab Crutchfield was the pastor.
The Baptist church organized in 1893 with a few members meeting under trees in front of the cemetary for services. Later they moved to the Methodist church which had Sunday School in the morning, allowing the Baptists to have Sunday School in the afternoon. Each church had worship services once a month.
Major Jones had a blacksmith shop on the East side of the square. South of this was Captain Rhodes' Drug Store, where he was the operating pharmacist.
There were two gins in 'Old Town'. The first one was owned by Dan Sheen and sat North of the former home of Joe Potts. the cotton was carried in baskets to the gin. There was only one stand, and the cotton ran out onto the floor, where it was picked up by hand and put into a press powered by a team of oxen. The other gin was located at the site of the Elmer Cobb home. It was a steam press and had three stands. Major Jones was the owner and operator of this gin.
There was one hotel in 'Old Town', located at the site of mrs. Koeniger's home. It had two rather large front rooms and two shed rooms, one of which was used as a kitchen. Major Jones also owned and operated the hotel. He and his large family took up residence in this hotel.
Mr. Plymell had a rooming-house in 'Old Town'. People were only housed overnight, and they had to eat breakfasts at the Jones Hotel.
Doctors in 'Old Town' included Brown, Yeater, Raimer, and Gibson-who were all practicing at one time.
There was a stagecoach route from Gainesville to Weatherford, which stopped in Paradise for passengers and mail.
The first church in Paradise was the Methodist Church. It was located on Sunflower Road. It is thought that they had services once a month. This church was organized in 1875, on land donated by O.H.P. Read. The lumber was hauled from Fort Worth and Sherman by wagon, and the church was known as Read Chapel. the church and parsonage were later moved to 'New Town' on July 2, 1901, when Rev. Seab Crutchfield was the pastor.
The Baptist church organized in 1893 with a few members meeting under trees in front of the cemetary for services. Later they moved to the Methodist church which had Sunday School in the morning, allowing the Baptists to have Sunday School in the afternoon. Each church had worship services once a month.
Main Street Paradise view to the north.
Photo taken circa 1927 before a fire destroyed
most of the buildings on both sides of the street
