In 1987 a group of Flora officials formed the so-called "Barbed Wire Choir" and recorded a music video in an attempt to land a state prison. The song featured several city officials, including the mayor, asking then-Gov. Jim Thompson "Is we is or is we isn't/gonna get ourselves a prison." After being shown on local TV stations, the video gained the attention of national programs such as MTV, Good Morning America and The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. Flora ultimately lost its bid to host the new prison.
