Paris, Texas, surprises visitors with an Eiffel Tower that stands 65 feet tall. But discoveries in Lamar County extend beyond this distinctive landmark: architecture, regional markets, music, memorials and waterscapes each make their own impression.
Architecture and Remembrance
The Lamar County Courthouse combines Classical Revival elements with distinctive Romanesque details, arches and columns. The current courthouse dates from 1917. Granite from the damaged previous building, constructed in 1896, was reused in its construction. This followed the 1916 fire, which destroyed most of downtown Paris. The courthouse’s history thus links different building periods with a defining event in the city’s history.
The Sam Bell Maxey House also tells the story of former residents: it was built in 1868 for Sam Bell Maxey and his family. Evergreen Cemetery is home to the “Jesus in Cowboy Boots” monument, which attracts visitors from across the country. The cemetery is also the final resting place of many prominent citizens of Paris and Lamar County. Another memorial stands at the center of the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial: the Ring of Honor bears the names of men and women from the five-county Red River Valley region who died in combat while serving their country.
Public Spaces, Music and Market Life
The Culbertson Fountain is located at Downtown Plaza. Tree lighting in the fountain area makes evening activities possible. At the northeast corner of the square in Paris stands the Plaza Theatre, which has been there for nearly a century. These places show different aspects of public life: the plaza as a gathering place for evening activities and the theater as a longstanding part of the cultural landscape.
The City of Paris Municipal Band holds the record as the municipal band with the longest uninterrupted performance history in Texas. Every summer, it presents a concert season with six concerts on Friday evenings in June and July at Bywater Park. If you plan to attend a concert, check the season’s dates before your visit.
The Paris Farmers and Artisan Market draws more than 35 regional vendors every Saturday. Offerings range from vegetables, fruit and flowers to eggs and meat, as well as bread and pastries. There is also locally roasted coffee, kombucha and elderberry products. The market brings together produce and handcrafted goods from a variety of fields in one place.
Lakes and Outdoor Recreation
Lake Crook is an 800-acre reservoir with fishing and boating opportunities. Facilities include a fishing pier, boat ramps, a playground and a pavilion. Amenities may change; check the current status of facilities before your visit. The Lake Crook Trail is an approximately 2.7-mile loop that runs along the shore in some places. The same lake therefore offers a choice of activities on the water and a walk along the shore.
North of Paris, the Barber Hills Mountain Bike Trails wind through the landscape around Pat Mayse Lake. The lake itself is also a destination for anglers: crappie fishing is considered especially good there, and channel and flathead catfish are also found. The lake offers particularly good sportfishing opportunities for channel catfish.
More Places and Practical Information
The Paris Sports Complex includes Pump Track Paris. Heritage Park in Paris has a pavilion, and the park can be visited without a reservation. For travel planning by air, it’s important to know that Paris–Cox Field is a general aviation airport and is not currently served by commercial airlines. These details complement the cultural and scenic discoveries with two recreation spots and specific information about the airport.
Discover more destinations: Paris, Lavaca, Potter, Upton County, Grayson, Falls County, Real County, Brazos.
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
