This is one of the better Veterans Parks I've been to, beating out many I've found in cities 3-4x…read morebigger. As a veteran I am grateful for the effort made to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those of us who were honored to serve our country in this way. We who served understand we didn't do it to be recognized and we don't need recognition but we appreciate it when it happens. The folk who put this location together did it right, and it's still being expanded. I made note there was no Gulf War monuments, because that was my timeline, but I was quickly informed it's in the works, but needs more money. Duly noted and a donation made. This is actually more enjoyable to visit than the cheesy little Eiffel Tower next it IMHO.

Outstanding memorial setting and beautiful moments. Kind of out in the middle of nowhere, but is…read moreworth the road trip. A great location for a picnic and family outing. They have been expanding the memorial so it is definitely growing.

Say What? Wanna go to Paris,see the Eiffel Tower and Grab a Vintage Hamburger? Yes!…read more One of the last remaining outpost in North Texas, only marginally affected by recent exponential growth elsewhere,Paris is literally a time capsule. I used to have several business reasons for visiting but, haven't in 30 years. I was surprised how little the city has changed in that time. It's an easy day trip from Dallas and worth the drive, if only for the true take me back to simpler times feel. This is no podunck though. Manufacturing including Campbell's Soup,Philips Lighting, Kimberly Clark and others provide jobs that keep this 25000 population town humming. I recommend adding it to your Texas Travel list if you want to sample the authentic going,going almost gone culture of Texas .

The city of Paris puts in new sidewalks, but then doesn't follow up with mowing, and the sidewalks…read moreare overgrown with weeds and debris. The city of Paris drains fire hydrants for weeks and weeks at a time and causes damage to all the streets from the water flow and just puts up roadblocks or ignores the situation. A remedy for one thing creates a big issue for something else, but you don't get any type of response from anyone in the city of Paris management other than thanks for the email we will look into it and weeks later when you inquire again, no response at all.

This is a very well kept historical marker in front of the most beautiful court house.read more

Located on one side of the Square in downtown Paris, this marker provides the history of the big…read morefire that destroyed much of the city in 1916. The marker is in excellent condition and is easy to read. There is metered street parking nearby and some lots. The marker reads, "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 the southwest city limits. Its cause is unknown, but one theory is that a spark from a switch engine ignited dry grass near the warehouse. Winds estimated at 50 miles per hour soon blew the fire out of control as it burned a funnel-shaped path to the northeast edge of Paris. "Firemen from Bonham, Cooper, Dallas, Honey Grove, and Hugo, Okla., helped the Paris Fire Department battle the flames, which were visible up to 40 miles away. The blaze destroyed most of the central business district and swept through a residential area before it was controlled at about sunrise on March 22. "Property damage from the fire was estimated at $11,000,000. The structures burned included the Federal Building and post office, Lamar County Courthouse and Jail, City Hall, most commercial buildings, and several churches. Rebuilding was begun quickly as townspeople collected relief funds and opened their homes to the victims. A railroad and market center before the disaster, Paris soon regained its former prosperity." This is marker number 8216 and it was erected in 1976 by the Texas Historical Commission. [Review 715 of 2024 - 477 in Texas - 21746 overall]

Took the very informative tour. Next to nothing to see the house. Takes you back to the Victorian…read moreage. I appreciate the lengths that the state of Texas has gone to preserve places like this.

Super cute place with very nice and welcoming staff. The breakfast taco and coffee were really…read moretasty. There's plenty of seating options inside and outside. There is also a small boutique with clothes and gifts. Will definitely be coming back!

I first heard the story of John Chisum in 2022 when I was passing through New Mexico. A historical…read moremarker that told the story of Sallie Chisum Robert, the first Lady of Artesia (near Roswell) and Chisum's niece. And in Roswell, the John Simpson Chisum Equestrian Statue, the Cattle King of the Pecos. "One of the West's consummate cattlemen, he helped develop both modern cattle breeds and the fledgling town of Roswell." So at that time, I bookmarked this spot because I wanted to stop in and pay my respects to this great man. It is a quiet spot along the railroad at the edge of a residential neighborhood. A small circle where you can drive in and stop to read the marker and walk up to the stone. The historical marker reads, "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, 1854. During the Civil War, he supplied beef to Confederate troops west of the Mississippi and his cowboys guarded the frontier against Indians. "After moving in 1864 to the Concho River, then to "Bosque Grande" on the Pecos, he finally located his spread at South Spring near Roswell, New Mexico, 1873. His enormous herds-- 60,000 to 100,000 head-- pounded trails across Texas into New Mexico. His name and fame led to confusion with Jesse Chisholm, blazer of part of the historic Texas-to-Kansas cattle trail. "Chisum's onetime partner, famous cattleman Charles Goodnight, said that Chisum, who could correctly tally three grades of moving cattle at once, was the best counter he knew. Chisum's distinctive "Long Rail" brand and "Jinglebob" ear-notch defied alteration. "A disastrous packing house deal and involvement in the 1876 "Lincoln County War," in which Billy the Kid and various cattle factions figured, ultimately led to Chisum's financial ruin." [Review 705 of 2024 - 467 in Texas - 21736 overall]

It's a treat to find a marker that is located adjacent to the point of interest to add some…read moreadditional context to the site. Too many markers are "Oh, and the site is 2 miles east" or such. So this was nice. The marker stands at the street in front of a beautiful two story home in the Paris historic district. It was built in the Victorian style and still retains much of those original design elements. The marker reads, "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 house built across the street from the Maxey home. Built of lumber hauled from Jefferson, its outstanding architectural feature is a double gallery decorated with Eastlake-style millwork. Lightfoot served as a state senator and as chief justice of the 5th Court of Civil Appeals. He died while traveling in Alaska in 1901, and his heirs later sold the house to the Rodgers Coleman family, early preservationists who oversaw restorations of the house in the 1950s. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965." The marker was erected in 1965 by the Texas Historical Commission and is marker number 12012. There is a sign indicating that the home is occasionally open to the public for tours but today was not that day. [Review 725 of 2024 - 485 in Texas - 21756 overall]

This marker is located in downtown Paris in front of the "United States Post Office and Court…read moreHouse" building. An impressive structure, I toured the outside and did see that there is an accessible entrance on the side. The marker was unveiled in 2024 by the Lamar County Historical Commission. It is in excellent condition and easily legible with a lot of text. It reads, "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 as the first post office. In fact, for the first fifty years of existence, mail distribution probably was conducted out of the existing business office of the current postmaster. Wright remained in the role until July 1844, when he was replaced by Jacob Long. After 1845, when postmasters were appointed by the U.S. government, the post office continued to operate from each postmaster's place of business. Locations included a drugstore, a grocery store, a bookstore and several hotels. "Finally, in 1894, the U.S. Government built a federal court and post office building for the town. Thus began a span of 106 years when a post office located on the 300 block of Lamar Avenue served Paris residents. The original post office grew, and an annex on the same block was opened in 1915. Sadly, the 1916 fire destroyed the federal building and badly damaged the annex. Repairs were made, but Congress appropriated funds to build a new post office. After a decade of hurdles in construction, the new post office opened in 1925, still on the 300 block of Lamar. The old annex continued to be of use to the community as educational and commercial property. The 1925 post office was expanded significantly just two years later when a second story was added. The west extension and basement, along with other modernizations, occurred in 1964. By the 1990s, the post office had outgrown its facility. On Feb. 20, 2001, the Paris post office moved to Clarksville Street, ending the 106-year span on Lamar Avenue. The Paris post office, regardless of location, has faithfully served its citizens since the city's founding." There is a parking lot across the way and metered parking on the street. [Review 712 of 2024 - 474 in Texas - 21743 overall]