For the past several weeks, members of the Historical Society have been working on a miniature building for 2004. It is their 15th and is a miniature replica of one of the oldest historic buildings on La Harpe's Main Street - for many years the Fair Store.

It was built in 1875 by John Warren and his son Edgar, for their Warren and Son Book Store and the Post Office. A newspaper published in 1876 had an article saying it was lighted by gas and the front was of iron, plate glass, Quincy pressed brick and terra cotta.

The Post Office had 375 boxes and 52 lock boxes.

Later the Figley Millinery located here, then the George Webster Novelty store. He sold it to J. Murray Law in 1907. It was sold to John Folks in 1946 and he operated the store for many years. It later became the Fair Shoppe, operated by Jane Kern. It is now part of the First State Bank of Western Illinois, and the beauty of the front of the building has been reserved. It is on the National Register of Historical Places.

The building was used by the Historical Society as a museum for a few years before moving to their present location.

They have a good supply of the little buildings on hand and for sale at the museum.