New ornament depicts city landmarks

Main Street’s 10th anniversary bauble pays homage to its first decoration

Christmas shoppers can hold the history of Texarkana in their hands again this year.

Main Street Texarkana for 10 years has been capturing the Twin Cities’ colorful landmarks in a series of ornaments, and this year’s was just released.

“We always time the release of each new ornament for just after Thanksgiving day,” said Ina McDowell, Main Street Texarkana executive director. She explained that a few months before each Thanksgiving, the board discusses what Texarkana landmark will be featured. After discussing several ideas, they pick one, and the ornament’s design and creation begin.

“Because this is our 10th anniversary, we wanted to do something extra special and acknowledge the history of these ornaments while saluting the history of our city and its historic downtown,” McDowell said.

The first ornament depicted the Downtown Post Office and courthouse. Ten years later, the ornament this year shows the reverse view, State Line Avenue going south from the same point.

The Main Street Christmas ornaments have proved popular with Texarkana shoppers, so each year’s ornament is available at several outlets.

“You can get it at the Main Street office inside the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce,” McDowell said, “Also, they are available at Fan Fare Gifts, Pleasant Grove Pharmacy, Downtown Galleries and the Museum of Regional History.”

McDowell added, “The previous years’ ornaments are still available at the Main Street office, all except the first.”

Theorna - ments are $15 each. For more information, call the Main Street office at Texarkana Chamber of Commerce at 903792-7191.