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A stone silo and garage in Paradise is typical of the rockwork found
throughout North Texas
TE Photo, February 2004 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally called
Eldorado when it was settled in the 1870s, the name was rejected
by postal authorities. Paradise Prairie was suggested - accepted
- and then shortened to its current name. A post office branch started
operation in 1876. Like most towns of its era, nothing much happened
until the railroad arrived. In this case it was the Rock Island line
and the date was 1893. And like most towns of its era - it moved to
be near the railroad. In this case it was only a mile NE.
The town prospered despite its proximity to the county seat of Decatur.
Paradise in 1900 had two cotton gins, two hotels and a newspaper -
the Paradise Echo - plus the normal quota of churches and schools
for a town its size.
Populations rose and fell, but never went over 500 Paradisians. People
started commuting to Fort
Worth after WWII
and the population dropped - it was estimated at 275 in the 1980s
and has since increased to the current (2020) figure of 575. |
Wise
County 1940s map showing Paradise
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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