New Patton House, Veterans Service Building About Half Way Completed

The new Patton House Doll Museum and Veterans facility has reached about 50 percent completion.

Mayor Randy Porter said the project has got in the dry, meaning the walls are framed and the roof trust is set.

“There getting ready to put the shingles on the roof, and then, they start on the wiring and plumbing and interior sheet rock and all those kind of things,” Porter said. “Then they’ll brick the outside and trim and everything, so we’ve still got quite a ways to go.”

Porter said the county aims to have the project completed this summer or early fall. Porter said the county has saved some money by starting utility work through the maintenance department. Porter said he has been pleased with the work so far.

“We’ve done really well with doing some of it ourselves,” Porter said. “Holloway Construction did the framing and helping with some of their subs, but our maintenance department has done the plumbing and electrical.”

The building off Highway 70 was destroyed by the March 2020 tornado as well as several homes. Porter said a lot of new houses have been built while the new Patton House has been constructed.

“I’ve noticed some new buildings going up on some the lots that haven’t rebuilt yet,” Porter said. “There are some of the lots that the homes were destroyed that they are up for sale. We figure there’s probably been at least 60 percent of homes built back.

Porter said the county is still exploring a new phone system and hiring a veteran service receptionist for the new office. Commissioner Mike Atwood brought the matter to the county commission’s attention earlier this year.