Established by Samuel M. Fulton
(1810-1851)
At this point, which became known as Fulton's Crossing after about 1833
Earlier known as the site of United States Factory Erected by the State of Texas
1936 — — Map (db m192672) HM
On U.S. 82, 0.5 miles west of Farm to Market Road 38, on the right when traveling west.
This meadow, approximately 2100 acres, is the largest section of native grassland existing in Texas. It was originally part of a prairie system that stretched throughout the Midwestern United States and into Canada. Since the earliest settlers . . . — — Map (db m128330) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive near Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Union Killed: 365,000 Wounded: 282,000
Confed. Killed: 290,000 Wounded: 137,000
The American Civil War was fought to determine the survival of
the United States as it defeated the . . . — — Map (db m144158) WM
On Fitzhugh Avenue north of East Tudor Street, on the right when traveling north.
Built about 1890 by Jethro D. Atkinson, bank director and owner of Paris' first shoe store. Bought 1910 by social leaders, Dr. Eugene Felder Morris and wife Elizabeth. A fine example of Victorian style prevailing here before the great 1916 Paris . . . — — Map (db m128265) HM
On Washington Street, 0.1 miles west of 10th Street SW, on the left when traveling west.
Cattle baron whose herds, moving from east to west Texas and into New Mexico, expanded into one of the greatest cattle spreads in the west. Coming from Tennessee to Paris, 1837, Chisum joined S. K. Fowler in a cattle venture in Denton County, . . . — — Map (db m201835) HM
On Bonham Street (Business U.S. 82) at West Kaufman Street, on the right when traveling east on Bonham Street.
Designed as a military highway, intended to make linkage with United States military road built to the north of the Red River in the 1820s.
This was part of the national effort of Republic of Texas to open a good road system. Congress in 1839 . . . — — Map (db m96917) HM
On South Church Street, 0.2 miles north of East Sherman Street, on the right when traveling north.
This congregation, established during the Republic of Texas period, was organized as the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church on November 4, 1844, by the Rev. Samuel J. Corley, a circuit-riding minister. The first church building was erected in . . . — — Map (db m128245) HM
On South Church Street, on the right when traveling south.
Origins of the Episcopal Denomination in the area date to an 1839 visit by Bishop Leonidas Polk of Louisiana, and his return in 1841 to perform the first baptism in northeast Texas at Pine Creek, a few miles north of Paris. The Diocese of Texas . . . — — Map (db m187235) HM
Near Evergreen Street at 6th Street SE, on the right when traveling east.
The Evergreen Cemetery is the final resting place for many notable citizens of Paris and Lamar County. Due to the steady growth of the area, the old cemetery of Paris, located near the center of town, quickly became too small. In 1866, the Evergreen . . . — — Map (db m111857) HM
On South Church Street at East Kaufman Street, on the left when traveling south on South Church Street.
In 1854, the Rev. Willis M. Pickett and six charter members formed the Union Baptist Church of Paris. Remaining in its original location, the church grew dramatically, eventually becoming First Baptist Church. Many prominent Baptist leaders have . . . — — Map (db m110810) HM
On 1st Street NW (Business U.S. 271) at Bonham Street (Business U.S. 82), on the right when traveling south on 1st Street NW. Reported missing.
Organized and opened for business at its present location in 1886 by William J. McDonald (1844-1926), Civil War veteran and lawyer. Earlier he had opened the Citizens Bank of Clarksville and in 1889 he established a Delta County Bank. Under his . . . — — Map (db m97619) HM
On West Kaufman Street west of 4th Street SW, on the right when traveling west.
Organized 1861 by the Rev. John Anderson. Odd Fellows Seminary and a downtown shop were sites of early worship. Congregation built first sanctuary in 1874. Architects for this church (built 1891) were L. B. Volk and Son. Contractor: W. R. Eubanks. . . . — — Map (db m128282) HM
On 3rd Street SE, on the right when traveling north.
The beginning of this congregation can be traced to 1843, when the Rev. James Graham organized the First Methodist Church in the area. It later took the name Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Meanwhile, another congregation, Lamar Avenue . . . — — Map (db m186724) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: Wounded:
After the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, President George
W. Bush declared a world wide war on terrorism involving open
and covert military actions . . . — — Map (db m144196) WM
On North Plaza (Business U.S. 82) at West Plaza, on the left when traveling west on North Plaza.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, John James Culbertson grew up in large northeastern cities. He married Emily Lou Lee of New Jersey in 1882 and soon became a salesman for a cotton product company based in Alabama.
During his southern travels, . . . — — Map (db m97618) HM
On South Church Street at Washington Street, on the right when traveling south on South Church Street.
Built 1876 by Judge Wm. Henry Lightfoot, veteran of Forrest's Cavalry in Civil War; law partner of Gen. (and U. S. Senator) Sam B. Maxey. Lumber was hauled from Jefferson. Has square nails. Wide board pine floors are pegged. Water . . . — — Map (db m201853) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: 36,574 Wounded: 103,284
The reasons for the Korean war were varied, complicated and
involved several countries with vastly different forms of
government. The war . . . — — Map (db m144162) WM
On Bonham Street (U.S. 82) at 41st Street NW, on the right when traveling east on Bonham Street.
Created December 17, 1840
from Red River County
Organized in 1841
Named in honor of
Mirabeau B. Lamar, 1798 – 1859
Father of Texas education
President of the Republic of Texas
1838 – 1841
Lafayette, 1841
Mount . . . — — Map (db m96841) HM
On West Houston Street at North Main Street, on the left when traveling east on West Houston Street.
The March 1916 fire that left downtown Paris in ruins ravaged Lamar County's massive 1897 Romanesque courthouse and tower, once thought indestructible. On April 20, 1916, the Lamar County Commissioners Court chose local designers and builders . . . — — Map (db m97623) HM
On West Houston Street at North Main Street, on the left when traveling east on West Houston Street.
On uneasy border of Indian Territory in the Civil War. A military transport center, on the Old Central National Road surveyed in 1844 by the Republic of Texas, to run from San Antonio, crossing Red River north of Paris. A rich farming area. Lamar . . . — — Map (db m97621) HM
On South Church Street near East Washington Street.
Alabama native Henry William Lightfoot, a Confederate veteran of Forrest's Cavalry, came to Paris in 1872 as a law partner of Sam Bell Maxey. Two years later, he married Maxey's adopted daughter, Dora Rowel Maxey, and soon the young couple had this . . . — — Map (db m212953) HM
On Clarksville Street near 8th Street SE, on the right when traveling east.
Built 1858 as a story and a half home by early doctor, A.S.Johnson. Remodeled 1907. Occupied in 1916 by Dr. L.P. McCuistion (1869-1947), 57 years a physician, who founded the Sanitarium of Paris in 1914 and led in development of . . . — — Map (db m128048) HM
On 5th Street SW, 0.2 miles north of Graham Street, on the left when traveling north.
The old city cemetery is located on land once owned by George Washington Wright (1809-1877), founder of the city of Paris. The oldest grave here is said to be that of a free black man who worked for Wright. Although the stone is . . . — — Map (db m128497) HM
On 3rd Street NW at West Price Street, on the left when traveling south on 3rd Street NW.
This site marks the first call for survey of the city of Paris, Republic of Texas, 1844. Geo. W. Wright, early settler, soldier in Texas War for Independence, congressman of the Republic, donated 50 acres of land for Lamar County Seat. Plat of lots, . . . — — Map (db m97626) HM
On 1st Street SW at West Hearne Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 1st Street SW.
In the early 1880s, cotton began to dominate Texas agriculture as a principal cash crop, with over two million cultivated acres producing 800,000 bales of cotton per year. With the 1876 arrival of the first railroad line to Paris, local businessmen . . . — — Map (db m96687) HM
On East Kaufman Street at 1st Street SE, on the left when traveling east on East Kaufman Street.
Fire protection in Paris dates to the early 1870s, when a group of businessmen led by Willet Babcock organized a volunteer fire company. Known as Phoenix Fire Company No. 1, the volunteer unit continued in operation until the city created a paid . . . — — Map (db m96913) HM
On South Church Street at 7th Street SW, on the left when traveling north on South Church Street.
The 1845 charter establishing Paris Lodge No. 27 was the last charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Texas during the Republic of Texas period. The Lodge was organized by George W. Wright, founder of Paris, as a refuge for transient immigrant Masons. . . . — — Map (db m110845) HM
On 3rd Street Northeast at Lamar Avenue (Business U.S. 271), on the right when traveling north on 3rd Street Northeast.
Although attempts to provide a public school system in Paris were made as early as 1877, it was not until 1884 that the system as it is known today was organized. Under the strong leadership of Mayor John C. Gibbons, W.B. Aikin, E.L. Dohoney, and . . . — — Map (db m110812) HM
On Farm Road 195 near 47th Street NE, on the left when traveling south.
This small rural church was organized in 1868 by John A. Fuller with about twelve members. Early worship services were held at the Methodist church building and in local schoolhouse. Joseph Givens, for whom the surrounding community was named, . . . — — Map (db m128046) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
This memorial honors
all veterans
past, present, and future.
May it remind us
that our country
must always be defended
against forces that would
deny us our freedom.
Reverse
May all who visit this memorial
leave . . . — — Map (db m144197) WM
On South Church Street at East Kaufman Street, on the left when traveling south on South Church Street.
Outstanding Baptist Minister. Born in Tennessee, he moved to Texas 1859, and became pastor of this congregation in 1861.
A new church building was erected here, and through his guidance, the congregation grew. First Baptist “Ladies . . . — — Map (db m110808) HM
On South Church Street near East Washington Street, on the right.
Home of Sam Bell Maxey Native Kentuckian, West Point graduate, brevetted for gallantry in Mexican War, District Attorney from Lamar County, Major General C. S. A. in Tennessee and Mississippi campaigns, commander of Indian Territory . . . — — Map (db m128204) HM
On Yoder Rd. north of Farm to Market Road 79, on the right when traveling north.
First county seat of Lamar County
A clapboard courthouse was built by John Lovejoy on 40 acres donated by John Watson
Here court was held June, 1841 to June, 1843
John A. Rutherford, Chief Justice; John R. Craddock County . . . — — Map (db m110614) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: 392 Wounded: 1,645
The Spanish-American war was a conflict between Spain
and the United States beginning in 1898. Hostilities began
in the aftermath of the sinking of the . . . — — Map (db m144153) WM
On Clarksville Street (Business U.S. 82) at 8th Street SE on Clarksville Street.
In 1911 the Catholic bishop of Dallas, Joseph Patrick Lynch (1872-1954), beseeched the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word to administer St. Joseph's Infirmary in Paris. The congregation, based in San Antonio and experienced in hospital care, . . . — — Map (db m97599) HM
On 2nd Street NE near East Booth Street, on the right when traveling north.
Organized 1867; one of founding churches (1872), Zion District Baptist Association. Original pastor, the Rev. Elisha Barnes (1811-95), served 20 years, led congregation to build (about 1876) its first church. The Rev. C. N. Hampton, . . . — — Map (db m128280) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507).
Estimated totals
Killed: 700 Wounded: 100
The Texas Revolution began when colonists living in the
Mexican province of Texas rebelled against the decades of
political and cultural clashes between . . . — — Map (db m144159) WM
On Grand Avenue (Business U.S. 82) at West Plaza, on the right when traveling west on Grand Avenue.
Although Paris was founded in the mid-1840s, many of its historic structures were lost in a fire that destroyed almost half the town in 1916. The blaze started about five o'clock on the afternoon of March 21, 1916, at the S. J. Long Warehouse near . . . — — Map (db m97609) HM
Near 6th Street SE south of Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south.
One of eight children, Travis Clack Henderson was born in Alabama on June 24, 1836 to John Henry and Minerva Bernard Henderson. In 1856, he moved to Paris, Texas, and established himself as a farmer. He joined the local militia in 1860. During the . . . — — Map (db m112218) HM
On West Kaufman Street south of Bonham Street (Business U.S. 82), on the right when traveling south.
Attempts to bring rail service to Lamar County began in the mid-1800s, but a line did not reach the city of Paris until one was built to the south side of town in 1875. Residents raised money to entice the St. Louis & San Francisco (Frisco) to . . . — — Map (db m96916) HM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: 58,315 Wounded: 153,303
The United States government viewed the Vietnam war as a way
to prevent the spread of communism in South Vietnam, Laos and
Cambodia. At the peak of . . . — — Map (db m144161) WM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: 116,708 Wounded: 204,002
The First World War began as a direct result of the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, on June 28, 1914, by Bosnian . . . — — Map (db m144186) WM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: 293,793 Wounded: 417,704
Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany allied with Italy
and Japan to declare war on the United States sending the U.S. into a
war on . . . — — Map (db m144194) WM
Near South Collegiate Drive north of Jefferson Road (County Road 1507), on the right when traveling north.
Estimated totals
Killed: 111,606 Wounded: 253,142
Although Europe had been at war since September 1, 1939 the United States
did not become involved until December 7, 1941 when Japan attacked
Pearl . . . — — Map (db m144188) WM
On Farm to Market Road 2648 west of U.S. 271, on the right when traveling south.
Recognizing in 1940 that hosting peacetime draftees might revive the county's economy, the city of Paris sent a request for the army to build a training camp here. The local American Legion acquired land options.
Delegations from the Chamber of . . . — — Map (db m190767) HM
