First Lady of Texas welcomes Linden as a Main Street City

By Ben Woods
bwoods@casscountynow.com

The First Lady of Texas welcomed Linden into the Texas Main Street program last week during her tour of newly designated Texas Main Street cities.
On Tuesday, April 18 citizens of Linden and officials gathered next to the historic Cass County Courthouse to welcome First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott during a ceremony and reception.
Abbott spoke of the Linden’s historic value and its new Main Street designation. 
“Main Street communities represent the best of what the state has to offer,” said Abbott.
“Linden’s commitment to historic preservation is apparent -- not only are you home to Don Henley but also the only continuously functioning antebellum courthouse in Texas today, and you are one of the smallest of three main street programs in Texas. It is clear Linden knows the importance of historic yet vibrant downtowns,” said Abbott.
“All across Texas, from our busy urban centers to our treasured small towns, it is our downtowns where the past, the present and the future meet and a sense of community grows,” said Abbott. “I cannot think of better way to commemorate the storied past of your community than by working with your neighbors to honor these most cherished places and the promise their futures hold. I congratulate on all you have done to make Linden shine even brighter.”
Texas Historic Commission Vice-Chairman John Crain congratulated Linden on its new status and its commitment to the program. 
“This is very competitive, it’s a great honor for Linden. We try to make a point that it’s wonderful to talk the talk, but you’ve got to get in there and form a task force and work and develop a plan of action. You’ve got to have the personnel and the right people in the community and obviously, this community showed up real well when it came to the criteria,” said Crain. “Historic preservation is not all about the past it is about developing economic opportunities.”
Crain expanded on the economic impact of the Texas Main Street City program. 
“In 1981, the Texas Main Street program began and we have seen $3.4 million dollars in economic investments and almost 36,000 jobs created and 9,000 small businesses started. This program has real economic impact, but for it to work you have to be a part of it,” said Crain.  
Mayor Clarence Burns introduced Abbott at the ceremony. 
“We are so proud to be named a designated Texas Main Street city and to be able to host the first lady at this special event,” said Burns.
Many Linden-Kildare CISD students were able to be a part of the ceremony. 
L-K Elementary students Madilyn and Brooklyn Bynum led the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas flag. L-K Elementary students Axel Munoz and Jazmin Ramirez presented a book to Abbott for her to sign, which was donated back to library. 
Before the ceremony began the L-K Junior High choir sang several state favorites including “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and the L-K band performed after the ceremony, during the reception. 
Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) CEO Chris Williston also spoke at the ceremony. IBAT sponsors the first lady’s main street tour. 
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Abbott unveiled an artist’s rendering of a section of the streetscape of downtown Linden depicted with historic features and new features such as different windows, signs and monuments.