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 Young Street at Pine Street, on the left when traveling south on Young Street.
Organized in 1873 by the Rev. Sam Anderson. Early services were held in a log schoolhouse, and baptisms conducted in ponds or cotton gin pools. The first permanent sanctuary, built about 1880 on land donated by G.B. Eades, was one large room with a . . . — — Map (db m234293) 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
On Farm to Market Road 38 at U.S. 82, on the right when traveling south on Route 38.
In 1841, when Zacharia Westfall was granted 1280 acres of land in this area, much of the northeastern region of Texas was covered with natural prairies. Over the years most of them have been plowed or destroyed. Tridens prairie, which covers 97 . . . — — Map (db m221008) 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 County Road 13700 0.2 miles north of Farm to Market Road 1497.
This church and cemetery, dating back to the first years of Texas statehood, were established between 1846 and 1848. The church, First Church of Christ in Lamar County, was founded by Elder Thomas Barrett of Titus County. Instrumental in the . . . — — Map (db m300506) HM
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 County Road 13685 at County Road 13750, on the left when traveling north on County Road 13685.
The history of schools in Biardstown is closely associated with the Biard family, early settlers of the area. The first school in the community was in the log home of William Washington Biard. In 1867 John Wilson Biard, son of William Biard, and his . . . — — Map (db m300492) 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 . . . — — Map (db m303831) 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 South Plaza east of 1st Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east.
In 1887, a gallon of Coca-Cola syrup was
shipped to Paris from Atlanta,
Georgia, by M.P. Alexander, president
of the Pemberton Chemical Co.,
forerunner to the Coca-Cola Co.
Coupons introducing the new
beverage and offering a free drink
were . . . — — Map (db m301263) HM
On Clarksville Street (Business U.S. 271) near 6th Street Southeast, on the right when traveling east.
On April 27, 1922, a group of 15 Paris businessmen joined
together to form a state-chartered financial institution, the
Paris Building and Loan Association. Its goal was to lend money
to its members for building, improving and paying debts . . . — — Map (db m304678) 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
On West Plaza at North Plaza, on the left when traveling south on West Plaza.
Born in Carthage, Tennessee to Elizabeth (Travis) and Claiborne
Wright, George Washington Wright (1809-1877) was the founder of
Paris. In 1816 the family moved by keelboat to southwest Arkansas,
settling initially along the Red River near Pecan . . . — — Map (db m305272) HM
Near County Road 14400 south of County Road 13550, on the right when traveling south.
A veteran of the War of 1812, Virginia native George W. Stell, Sr. came to Texas in the late 1830s. A farmer, surveyor, and builder, he constructed the first courthouse in Paris after it was named the Lamar County Seat in 1844. Stell, who was deaf, . . . — — Map (db m300491) HM
On East Austin Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on East Austin Street.
In 1912, recognizing the need for an additional hotel in Paris, A.A. Lesueur Jr., R.L. Murphy, W.R. Wood, W.A. Bell and J.S. Patrick incorporated the Gibraltar Hotel Insurance Company. Their goal was to create “the finest hotel this side of Dallas” . . . — — Map (db m301260) 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 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 m304494) HM WM
Since the 1840 founding of Lamar County, the two acres north of the present-day Lamar County Courthouse have been used for residences, grist mill operations, retail and professional businesses and as a vehicle parking lot, first for wagons and later . . . — — Map (db m305794) HM
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 Cobb Ranch Road 0.8 miles north of U.S. 271, on the left when traveling north.
Levin Vinson Moore (1809-1899) brought his family to this area from Tennessee in 1836. They established a farmstead near a natural spring, and soon were joined by eleven other families from the southern United States. The earliest marked graves in . . . — — Map (db m269501) HM
On County Road 12600 0.9 miles east of Farm to Market Road 1497.
Here on 100 acres donated by Mathias Glick was the second county seat of Lamar County – Mount Vernon – where court was held June, 1843, to April, 1844 when Paris was made the county seat • John A. Rutherford, chief justice • John R. Craddock, county . . . — — Map (db m300984) HM
On Sycamore Street west of South Main Street (Texas Route 19/24), on the left when traveling west.
Following emancipation, several Paris black free men and women formed informal congregations to practice their new spiritual rights. These former slaves found Baptist theology, with its egalitarian notion of redemption and informal nature of . . . — — Map (db m301257) 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 South Main Street at West Kaufman Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
Joseph Keyes (J.K) Bywaters (1849-1916)
constructed a three-story brick
building consisting of offices and
bedrooms on this site in August 1881.
Around two in the morning on April 28,
1896, the third largest Paris fire began
on the southwest . . . — — Map (db m301261) HM
On West Hearne Avenue at 4th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west on West Hearne Avenue.
On March 21, 1916, a fire swept through Paris that consumed 264 acres and 1,440 buildings and killed three people. Property loss was estimated at $11 million. Paris was founded in the mid-1840s, and many of the town’s historic structures were lost . . . — — Map (db m301258) 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 Lamar Avenue (Business U.S. 82) at 2nd Street NE, on the right when traveling west on Lamar Avenue.
The Republic of Texas established the Paris Post Office on April 1, 1843, and George W. Wright (1890-1877), the town's founder, was named its first postmaster. According to the custom of the day, Wright's store on 1st street and US 82 likely acted . . . — — Map (db m245393) 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 Bonham Street (Business U.S. 82) at West Kaufman Street, on the right when traveling east on Bonham Street.
In the early 1880s at his home, Dr. J.F. Hooks (1837-1895) operated the
first hospital in Paris. By the late 1890s, the town also had Aikin Charity Hospital on West Washington Street and St. Joseph's Infirmary on Clarksville Street in east Paris.
. . . — — Map (db m305802) 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
On 1st Street Southeast at East Kaufman Street, on the right when traveling south on 1st Street Southeast.
Lamar County native William J. McDonald (1844-1926) was a lawyer and banker who endowed the bulk of his fortune to the University of Texas (UT). After attending school and working in Clarksville, he returned to the area in 1886 to open the First . . . — — Map (db m301259) HM
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 County Road 14400 south of County Road 13550, on the right when traveling south.
According to an account by Dr. J.E. Fuller (1862-1940), as reported by local historian Ed H. McCuistion (1867-1946) in a 1921 column in the Paris News, the first person buried here was a youth with the surname of Young who became ill and died . . . — — Map (db m300313) HM
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
On Farm to Market 38 0.4 miles north of County Road 36120 when traveling north.
Up to 1860, pioneers found here a grand 100-square-mile prairie overgrown with high grass. The grove of persimmons 100 yards west of this spot formed an island on the north-central edge of the prairie. The locality's only trees, the persimmon grove . . . — — Map (db m305862) HM
