LOCAL HISTORY

In 2006, the ice cream wagon found its permanent home within the Paris Museum and Historical Society, thanks to the efforts of the Optimist members and Frank McCombs's grandchildren, Glenna Williams and Hank McCombs. With a sense of nostalgia, Glenna reminisced at the time, "I can still picture him sitting in there. I remember hoisting him up so he could embark on his route " Hank fondly recalled his early involvement, as he began helping his grandfather at the tender age of six, handing out ice cream to eager children who flocked to the wagon.

Though Frank McComb retired in 1973 and passed away in 1975, his memory lives on in the hearts of Paris residents. Hank fondly remarked, "Years after he died, I would run into someone who would say my name sounded familiar. When I mentioned my grandfather, they would say, 'Oh yes, the ice cream man.' Everyone remembered him."

The significance of the ice cream wagon is not lost on Frank's family or the community. Its final placement in the care of the Paris Museum and Historical Society ensures its preservation as a cherished piece of Paris history. Glenna expressed her excitement at the time, stating, "It's a part of Paris history, so it's nice to know that it's here." Hank echoed her sentiments, eager to pass on the family legacy to his own grandchildren.

The Paris Optimist Club took great care of the wagon over the years, restoring it in 1999 and periodically maintaining it. While it is no longer featured in local parades due to its age, the wagon’s functional state has been preserved. Recognizing its value as a source of joy and nostalgia, the Optimist members decided it was time for the ice cream wagon to be enjoyed by a wider audience. Marilyn McCulloch, an Optimist member, shared, "We didn't want it to sit in the barn storage any longer We want other people to get some enjoyment out of it "

Indeed, the legacy of Frank McCombs's ice cream wagon lives on, a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring impact of a simple joy shared with a community. In recent years visitors to the Paris Fair were able to gaze upon this treasured artifact, they are transported back to a bygone era, where the sound of hooves and the sweet taste of ice cream brought smiles to the faces of Paris residents, young and old.