Real travel adventures on back roads are about 16 miles from the Oklahoma border on Highway 271, and 109 miles Northeast of Dallas on Highway 19/24, Paris, TX has a population of nearly 26,000. The movie “Paris, Texas,” which was the 1984 winner of the Cannes Film Festival and was directed by Wim Wenders, made the town internationally famous. When cotton was king, Paris was an important hub of enterprise, with much wealth accrued from the crop. However, in 1916 most of the town was destroyed by fire. Local citizens supported the rebuilding of their beloved city, and many buildings today reflect their generosity. Some of the churches were rebuilt during this time and have outstanding architecture. Note the magnificent stained glass in each of four churches: Holy Cross Episcopal and Central Presbyterian, located across from each other on Church Street, a street which was least damaged by the fire and still has some of the original homes; First United Methodist church with the orange tile roof is near the square, and First Presbyterian Church on West Kaufman Street. The town square is centered with a grand fountain of Italian marble and Bedford stone. The pieces arrived by rail and the fountain was dedicated in 1926 to commemorated the brave efforts of rebuilding a city. Ironically, part of Paris had to be rebuilt again in 1982 when a tornado swept almost bare a two block area of homes and businesses from west to east across the entire town.
History buffs and antique aficionados will find Paris a great place to visit. Go antiquing, on the square and in several antique malls. On weekends there is always Gene’s Flea Market, open during the day on Saturday and Sunday with auctions Friday and Saturday evenings at seven. While visiting relatives, Davey Crocket slept under a tree located on what is now Clarksville Street. In a letter he told his wife he had “found Paradise” and intended to relocated his family to this area. Sadly, he was then en route to the Alamo, where he lost his life fighting for Texas’ independence. There are other interesting, historically noteworthy grave sites in the old City Cemetery under the water tower at Graham Street and 5th SW.
Paris also was home and the burial site for John Chisum, commemorated in the John Wayne movie, “Chisum.” He was a major cattleman of the “Wild West,” whom in 1874 the Federal Government contracted to supply beef to the Apache Indians in New Mexico. His grave is in the 1100 block of West Washington Street. The Samuel Bell Maxey House, a State Historical Park on South Church Street, was the home of a Confederate General who later became United States Senator for two terms. The house is a classic example of High Victorian Italianate Architectural Style. For a nominal entrance fee of $2, the house is open to the public Fridays and Sundays 1 – 5 p.m., Saturdays 8 – 5 p.m., and by reservation on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call (903) 785-5716. In more recent history, Camp Maxey just north of Paris was a Prisoner of War Camp for captured Germans during World War II. Often some of these men return for a visit because they were so well treated here.
At Love Civic Center on South Collegiate St. near Paris Junior College, be sure to take pictures at the local 65-foot high Eiffel Tower, topped by its huge, red, cowboy hat. And don’t miss “Jesus in Cowboy Boots” in Evergreen Cemetery. Carved in the 1880’s by a local stone cutter, Gustave Klein originally from Germany. It is certainly worth a photo. (Traveling East on Jefferson Road from Highway 19 turn into the cemetery at the last entrance. The statue is on the SE corner or the main intersection, just three blocks within the cemetery. Look high to your left beside a huge cedar tree and you will see the Babcock family marker with Jesus wearing his boots.)
If you appreciate art, don’t miss your opportunity to visit the Plaza Art Gallery, where the local Chamber of Commerce is also located. Dr. and Mrs. William Hayden restored this historic part of Paris Downtown and made it available for local artists to exhibit their works for sale. Fine pieces of impressive art, photography, and pottery are for sale at the Plaza Art Gallery, open daily. The Haydens also restored a warehouse behind the historic Frisco Santa Fe Depot on Bonham Street. It is now the outstanding Heritage Hall and is used for meetings and exhibits.
Another historic mansion worth seeing is The Wise House at 418 West Washington St., built in 1887, and listed on the National Registry of Properties of Rare Masonry. The family mansion was built for William B. Wise, a prominent English cotton merchant. His firm, Fitzhugh, Martin, & Wise, was the largest cotton buyer in the United States.
Summer Visitors will enjoy the free Friday evening concerts by Paris Municipal Band in Bywaters Park on South Main Street. For six weeks, beginning in June, local musicians entertain with excellent music. Many families bring picnics, blankets, lawn chairs (and mosquito repellent!) to enjoy the concerts in the old-fashioned community spirit. What a special treat! Also there are special events in July, featuring the Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally
If fishing and camping are your favorite getaways, go North from Paris on Highway 271 about 12 miles and follow signs to Pat Mayse Lake, a beautiful 5,995 acre lake built and maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Surrounded by 15,000 acres of wooded land, it offers excellent campgrounds with 200 sites providing water and electricity. With several boat launches this lake is a fisherman’s dream for black bass, crappie, sand bass, hybrid-striped bass, and catfish. Uncle Jesse’s Memorial Big Bass Classic in the spring each year brings many to compete for the $5,000 in prizes and benefit children’s charities . Water-skiers and pleasure boaters find the lake to be spacious and almost never overcrowded.
BLUEBONNETS ARE THE STATE FLOWER AND BLOOM WITH CRIMSON CLOVER BESIDE THE ROADS
For Naturalists and Bird-Watchers, exploring the Triden’s Prairie is a rare and treasured opportunity, especially in May on its annual Wildflower Day. These ninety-four acres of virgin Blackland Prairie, which has never been disturbed, was purchased by local women and donated to the Texas Nature Conservancy in order to maintain it in perpetuity in its original, pristine condition. Located just 8 miles west of Paris on Highway 82, it begins at the southwest intersection of FM 38 to Brookston and Roxton, just across from Smiley’s Meadow, the largest natural, uncultivated hay meadow still in use in Texas.
Paris has a large medical center which serves an area of about 75 mile radius. It is the home of Campbell Soup Company, Kimberley-Clark, Phillips Lighting, and other industries. Paris Junior College serves over 6,000 students, enriching the area with many cultural and sports events. Check out activities at the local Fair Grounds on Hickory Street, off of North Main Street. Many seasonal events there include Pancake Days in April, the excellent Art Fair in May, and the August Red River Valley Fair and Rodeo. Many other times during the year there are featured concerts and events there and at Love Civic Center. Especially fun is the Chapparal Paris, Texas Weekend on Labor Day weekend, when square-dancers swing their partners for hours of fun. Stop on this back road for your real travel adventures.
Real Travel Adventures 