WABASH, Ind. – The Paradise Spring Historical Park will be a featured stop for First Friday on Sept. 1st. For the past two years, the Paradise Spring Board has searched for ways to use a portion of the Educational Endowment Grant it received from the Melba Johnson Custer Trust in Memory of her parents Henry and Annetta Johnson. This year, largely through the research and efforts of former Wabash resident Kyle Coble who now lives in Auburn IN, the decision was made to create a new Educational Railroad sign that shows the Rail Yard of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, the “Big Four” Railroads circa 1905. The Parks Board recently approved the erection of the sign that will be located on the south side of the east end parking lot where a dedication will take place at 5:45pm on Sept. 1st. The sign, crafted and constructed by Chuck Cable of Cable Sign Co. LaFontaine, is ten feet in length and framed in red cedar wood to match many of the existing signs at Paradise Spring. Pete Jones will also spin some Railroad Era stories.
Ashley Lengel, a talented junior at Southwood High School has also been busy painting a mural of the Wabash Depot and train that will be on display for the Sept. 1st event. Ride Trolley 85 with families dressed in Era costumes as they travel to the Park and sense the excitement of a couple riding their tandem bicycle to catch the train to the St. Louis World’s Fair.
Coble will also be on hand to share many photographs, pictures and stories of the Rail Yard. Pick up some popcorn and enjoy a stroll through Paradise Spring!