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<br />County Genealogy Society. A THC marker has been placed on the site. Fearing the <br />possible contamination of the area around the depot with unsuitable construction, <br />the acreage around the Depot was purchased by Dr. and Mrs. William Hayden and <br />donated to the City as a park (Heritage Park). At the same time, the Texas Midland <br />warehouse (1915) was purchased by Dr. and Mrs. Hayden and was restored as <br />Heritage Hall. The commodities building just back of the Hall was also purchased <br />and was donated to the City of Paris with the proviso that it becomes the Lamar <br />County Historical Museum. This museum is in process of development and <br />although woefully under financed is moving on a course to become an outstanding <br />museum. <br /> <br />Three major projects have been completed in the Museum each funded by the <br />Hayden Foundation including the restoration of the Biard log House (1846, THC <br />Marker) and the Buckner Memorial Rooms which include major artifacts from the <br />Buckner Orphanage gifted to the Foundation by the orphans. The orphanage was <br />started in Paris in 1877. Buckner Benevolences is now the largest public service <br />organization in the world. The front facade of Judge Jim Thompson's House (1915) <br />survived a major fire and has been erected in the Museum..: <br /> <br />The Plaza began to come to life with 6 antique shops, and the quality of the <br />businesses was significantly enhanced. The buildings on the side streets began to <br />show increasing occupancy. <br /> <br />With funds supplied by the Hayden Foundation and other funds available to the <br />PCT, the facade and some of the interior of the Plaza Theater was restored to the <br />1932 appearance. The PCT expanded its operations. <br /> <br />A very active Main Street program chaired very capably by Karen Wilkerson was <br />basically responsible for the outlines of the historical district and the basic concepts <br />of the protective ordinances that have been recently approved by the City Council <br />and fostered by a very vigorous group of people including the present Main Street <br />program. <br /> <br />The Lamar County Courthouse (1917) was the beneficiary of funds from the State <br />(Texas Historical Commission) and multimillion dollars are at work. The County <br />wisely purchased the vacant Post Office (1923) and has completed an excellent <br />restoration of the interior again retaining much of the historical aspects. <br /> <br />Smaller but just as important improvements have been made along the line of <br />restoration of usage. The structure at the corner of Kaufman and South Main has <br />been restored by Jerry Raper for his furniture making business. Structures on the <br />south east corner of the Plaza have been cleaned of their offensive coverings as have <br />the area on the SE corner of Clarksville and First Street. <br /> <br />The city picked up on the movement and did significant restoration of City Hall <br />