SULPHUR SPRINGS — A small historical building in the park at Sulphur Springs is being restored to its’ original condition. And it’s “going green.”

The exact date the frame building was constructed cannot be verified but apparently it dates to the 1920s when Sulphur Springs was a spa center that attracted a tourist trade and was a summer vacation spot.

Originally dark green in color, for decades it was known simply as “the little green building.” It served as a community building where town-wide functions were often held, such as annual visits from Santa Claus. It was also the site for American Legion meetings and in later years was a meeting place for ladies’ groups and other clubs.

About five years ago it became home for the Sulphur Springs Police Department. And it received a coat of bright white paint. From habit, many still referred to it as “the little green building.”

Judy Simon, whose husband, Bob, is mayor of the city, and who has been instrumental in obtaining grants for improvements of Sulphur Springs, decided to seek funds to restore the old building.

Last May her efforts were successful and the city received a $30,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services for that specific purpose.

Now the interior is in the process of being refurbished, the decaying foundation repaired and stabilized, and the building now sports thatnew coat of paint.

“We uncovered one of the original shingles (on the lower part of the building) and the new paint matches the original color,” Simon said.

When the refurbishing is completed the “little green building” will again be available for community functions and will have its place as a welcoming focal point for the big, shady park in Sulphur Springs.

An accompanying undated photo shows workmen and women outside the building during its’ early history when it served as the office for the Sulphur Springs Chamber of Commerce. The other photo, taken a few weeks ago, shows Mrs. Simon as she joined Randy Colling and Dewayne Wealot as the new paint job was being completed.

News, Pages 24 on 10/27/2010