"Keeweechic's Paris, TX" a Paris Travel Page by keeweechic

Paris was originally known as Pinhook. The first recorded settlement in the area was in 1826 although some settlements were known to be around as early as 1824. The name changed and was named for Paris, France and was on the central national road of the Republic of Texas which ran through Paris to San Antonio from the Red River.

The area was originally a cattle and farming area. The Texas and Pacific railroad reached Paris in 1876 and other railroads later followed. In 1982, Paris was hit by a tornado which destroyed more than 1500 homes and left 3,000 homeless. Nearly $7 million was invested in renovating and updating the downtown area. Both in 1877 and in 1916 major fires almost totally destroyed the town. Rebuilding took place almost immediately both times.

Today Paris is the county seat of Lamar County. It has been voted "Best Public Plaza" by Texas Monthly and "Best Pit Stop" by a Cross-country Auto Race as well being named in 1998 as the "Best Small Town in Texas" by Kevin Heubusch in his book "The New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities." Paris is also the official Crepe Myrtle Capital of Texas. If you visit in July or August you will understand why.