Forget France, the expansive, lone star state of Texas has a Paris with its own, but less iconic and smaller Eiffel Tower. Paris town is the county seat of Lamar County in North Texas, along the Oklahoma border. The town is approximately 100 miles northeast of Dallas and has a movie bizarrely named after it but was not filmed there.
A brief history of Paris Texas
Historically the first documented settlement in Paris, Texas was in 1826 but there were settlements dating back to 1824. Legislator and merchant George Washington Wright founded the town in February 1844 after donating 50 acres of his land for a county seat. On February 3, 1845, the town was incorporated by the Congress of the Republic of Texas. One of Wright's employees Thomas Poteet suggested naming the new county seat Paris and the naming committee agreed to it. On the eve of the American Civil war that started in April 1861, Paris had around 700 residents and was a vibrant cattle and farming hub. The town was rebuilt thrice after the major fires of 1877, 1896, and 1916 razed it. The 1916 fire was the most severe, three people died, 1,440 buildings were destroyed and property damages were estimated at $11 million.
Where to explore and do in Paris Texas
The Cowboy Hatted "Eiffel Tower"
Paris Texas has a 65 foot Eiffel Tower caricature replica dubbed the second largest Eiffel Tower located in the second largest Paris. The top of this "Eiffel Tower" has a tilted, metallic, red stetson cowboy hat that captures the rugged spirit of Texas. The story is that the red hat was added in 1998 so that it could be taller than a competing "Eiffel Tower" in Paris City in Tennessee. Construction of this tower started in 1993 and was erected on the south lawn of the Love Civic Center in 1995. It was built by Boilermakers Local 902, a local welders union who consulted with an engineer called David Dickey. By the Paris Texas, "Eiffel Tower" is a compound where visitors picnic, do wedding proposals and take photos by this astounding landmark. The tower is used to market the city and is lit up during the Christmas season.
The Trail de Paris
The lush, 11.53 miles Trail de Paris allows people to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris town and soak in nature's serenity. This non-motorized and handicap-friendly trail is part of the North East Texas Trail (NETT) and runs through Blossom and Reno towns. Visitors can jog, walk dogs on leash, and cycle along the asphalt paved trails shaded by a lush sugarberry trees' canopy. Along the Trail de Paris there are over 10 varieties of colorful and flowery crape myrtles trees. There are also tables and benches where visitors can picnic. Families and school children visiting the Trail de Paris get to see monuments, butterfly, and hummingbird gardens with blooming flowers. It's advisable to bring a camera to take photos of the beautiful offerings within the Trail de Paris. At each entry point, there is ample parking available.
Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site
History buffs wishing to get a glimpse into civil war years can visit the Sam Bell Maxey House historical home built from 1866 to 1867. The Greek-Italian-themed, two-story home is located at 812 South Church Street in Paris, Texas. Born in 1825, Sam Bell Maxey was a Mexican Confederate general, lawyer, and senator who moved into the house in 1868. This house is where the Maxey family experienced the social-political landscape from the Reconstruction Era (1866-1877) to the start of the First World War. There are letters, clothes, and furnishings that give an insight into three family generations that lived there through those challenging periods. The Sam Bell Maxey House is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Guided tours with reservations are done on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. From Wednesday to Sunday there are guided tours at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and self-guided tours at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. It is closed on Christmas, New Year's eve, and thanksgiving.
Cost
- Adults $4
- Seniors $3
- Under 5 years free
- 6-18 years $3
- Family Fee-2 Adults & 1 Child or 1 Adult & 2 Children $8 additional child $1
Paris Community Theatre
The Paris Community Theatre (PCT) was conceived by 6 to 8 people in the spring of 1976 who wanted to form a community theatre. Since its formation, PCT has hosted over 200 productions that include theatre plays, cabarets, comedy and drama shows, holiday-themed shows, and musicals. PCT allows members of the public to be involved in some shows hosted there. The 30 plus Paris Community Choir established in 2010 and directed by Alaina Downing, is open to anyone who loves singing. Members of the public with diverse talents are also welcomed to showcase them at PCT. An individual seasonal ticket to different PCT shows costs $50. Other individual shows of plays and musicals cost from $12 to $18 and can be purchased online or by contacting PCT.
Lake Crook
Lake Crook is a 1060 acre artificial lake and park on Pine Creek, a tribute of Red River, and is 3 miles north of Paris, Texas. Constructed in 1923, the lake has a maximum depth of 24 feet. Lake Crook has a 2.8-mile walking trail, a 100-foot fishing pier tucked between two boat public ramps, a pavilion, and a playground with tennis and basketball courts. Around the park, there are picnic tables and visitors to Lake Crook can also go boating, fishing, and angling. Dominant fish species at the lake are the white crappie, blue and channel catfishes, and largemouth bass. The park is accessible to people with disabilities. The area surrounding the lake is dotted with lush conifers, water tolerant hardwood trees, grasses in a flat to rolling terrain with dark, calcareous clays. Lake Crook is accessible all year from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m and there is no entry fee.