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The
restored Santa Fe-Frisco-Kiamichi Depot
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2004 |
"The
Second Biggest Paris in the World" is the current slogan for this
County Seat. We say current, because you never can tell about France
(or Arkansas either).
The Paris Fire of 1916
Paris also holds third place in a category no town wants to be in.
After The Chicago Fire and The San Francisco
Earthquake Fire, comes The Paris Fire of 1916. This
devastating fire resulted in the entire downtown having to be rebuilt,
including the courthouse. The beautiful Culbertson Fountain in the
Plaza was given to commemorate the rebirth of Paris. |
Paris
Attractions
The architecture
of Paris is a direct result of the fire. Sturdy, elegant buildings
with style replaced the wooden and stone structures that burned. Worthy
of note are the R.F. Scott Building on the NE Corner of the Square
and the Plaza Theater as well as several former Banks.
Paris is also the official Crepe Myrtle Capital of Texas. A visit
in July or August is unforgetable and raises the question: why don't
other towns and cities use this cost effective and long-lasting beautification
plan? Crepe Myrtles are nearly pest-free, available in an array of
colors and inexpensive. |
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Lamar
County Courthouse
The
Gibraltar Hotel
"The Gibraltar Hotel was once Paris’ shining glory...."
- Robin Jett more
The Wise
House
"One of Paris’ most beautiful buildings is the 1889 Wise House.
Three stories tall, built with sturdy red brick, and decorated with
ornate Queen Anne style scrollwork, it once served as the home of
W.B. Wise and his family. Though not even a mile from downtown,
the house sat surrounded by countryside. Wise built a lake with
a picnic island behind the house, which he allowed most Parisians
to use. Today, the lake has become the Wise baseball field. Because
Wise had the house built west of the fancy Cherry Street district,
it escaped the 1916 fire undamaged, and even the old carriage houses
still stand." - © Robin Jett
The
Santa Fe-Frisco-Kiamichi Depot (AKA Bonham St. Station) is
being restored, but it is in use as the arrival point for the Hugo
Heritage Railroad excursion train which arrives from Hugo every
third Saturday. Paris is one of three destinations offered by the
railroad, the others being Antlers and Ft. Towson,
Oklahoma. Their schedule is available at their website: www.hugoheritagerr.ohgolly.com.
Sam Bell
Maxey House
A State Historic Structure, this home of the Confederate General
is located at 812 S. Church Street. Open Friday & Sunday 1 - 5.
Saturday 10 - 5 and Wednesday and Thursday by appointment. 785-5716.
Evergreen
Cemetery and "Jesus in Cowboy Boots"
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The
Culbertson Fountain
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, 2005 |
The Culbertson
Fountain:
You needn't look too hard for this. In the square. Mr.Culbertson,
one of Paris' wealthier citizens and philanthropists, has a notable
mausoleum in Evergreen Cemetery. His house once stood where the
Paris Library is now (facing Bywaters Park). It was dynamited in
hopes of containing the spreading fire. Mr. Culbertson built elsewhere
and gave the city the Library as well as the lot.
The First
Presbyterian Church
"The oldest church in Paris derives from one of the earliest
Protestant congregations in Texas – the First Presbyterian Church
at 410 W. Kaufman. While the structure that stands today dates from
1892, the land was used as early as 1861, and is said to have come
from the Presbyterian congregation in Clarksville, which had its
start in the 1830s." - © Robin Jett
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| First
Methodist Church in Paris |
The
First Presbyterian Church
Photos courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2006 |
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The
most noticeable landmark in Paris
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, 2005 |
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R.F.
Scott Building in Paris
TE Photo, 6-2000 |
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Paris
Chronicles
William
McDonald - An Orphan’s Gift by Bob Bowman
"Standing atop Mount Locke in the Big Bend area, McDonald
Observatory is far removed from East Texas, but without the interest
and generosity of an orphaned Confederate soldier...
Woman's
Christian Temperance Union
by Archie P. McDonald
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was misnamed: “temperance”
means “moderation...avoiding extremes.” What the WCTU really wanted
was total abstinence from all alcohol beverages... The first chapter
of the WCTU, and then a state organization, were established in
Paris in 1882...
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The Judgement
of Paris
Texas Escapes
wants to thank Judge Moree for his time and directions. We arrived
after the Chamber had closed, but were fortunate to be photographing
the Courthouse when Mr. Moree emerged (well after 5 pm). The Judge
told us that as a boy, his family had unearthed a trove of crockery
and bottles in their front yard while transplanting a rose bush.
He owns a pocketknife engraved from a Paris Hardware Store that
burned in the fire. Judge Moree, who has been known to hunt Turkey
in Coleman County, has said he wouldn't consider living anywhere
else but Paris. That's his final decision.
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Paris Tourist
Information
The Paris
Visitor's and Convention Council has an 88 page Visitors Guide/Membership
Directory that is a lot nicer than some books you pay for. A map
is right in the middle on pages 44 & 45. Included in the booklet
are Lamar County Cities of Blossom, Deport, Reno
and Roxton.
They also have a nice county/city map that is not in a booklet.
Contact them at 1651 Clarksville Street, or call them at 903-784-2501
or 800-PARISTX.
Paris is getting a lot of attention lately, being voted "Best Public
Plaza" by Texas Monthly and "Best Pit Stop" by a Cross-country Auto
Race.
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Paris
Hotels
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Paris'
newest watertower
2004 photo courtesy of Herb Campbell, Paris |
Paris'
first water tower
1923 photo courtesy of Herb Campbell, Paris |
©
John Troesser
Paris Texas
Forum
I'm from Paris,
Texas. Well I was born there, but my formative years were spent
on the outskirts of Paris in Taylor
Town. Down the street was Glory,
Texas. My family had an old general store in Taylor Town called
Gordon Mart (now closed)...now all that is left is a cemetery where
a few of my relatives are buried.
Glory is less than a mile from the Taylor Town area and I think
all that is left there are houses and a church my grandfather attends.
These two towns were an important part in my family heritage, and
to have them added to your site would mean the world to me. I don't
want them to be lost forever. Thank you. - Heather Gordon, December
29, 2004
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