Texas Historical Marker #08199
J. W. Harrison & Son. John Winn Harrison (1865-1940) came to Paris from Alabama in 1886. Working as a carpenter for several years, he formed a construction company in partnership with Cornelius G. Caviness in the 1890s. Becoming an independent contractor about 1913, he played a major part in rebuilding the city after a disastrous fire in 1916. Barney Harrison (1898-1954) joined his father in business in 1917, and the firm of J. W. Harrison & Son was formed in 1919. The company built many public and private structures in Paris, including homes, schools, the city hall, and the public library. #8199
222 Hickory St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08200
Hayes House. John M. Hayes (1869-1918) constructed this three-story frame residence soon after he purchased the property in 1906. A businessman, Hayes managed the substantial financial holdings of his family. After his death, his widow, Jo Elizabeth (d. 1961), continued to reside here. The home, which features restrained classical detailing on the exterior and intricate interior ornamentation, reflects the status of a prominent Paris family at the turn of the century. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983 #8200
901 S. Main, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08201
Hickory Grove Cemetery. Widespread settlement of this area of Lamar County began in the late 1840s and early 1850s. By 1852 the Hickory Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was established and this cemetery was in use. The earliest documented grave here is that of Mary Isabella Alexander (1832-1852). Also interred that year were Franklin Day (1827-1852) and Nancy Smith (1842-1852). By the 1870s the Hickory Grove Cemetery was fully established as a community burial ground. The Methodist Church was relocated in 1881, providing more space for grave sites where the sanctuary had once stood. Additional land acquisitions, including property deeded by Sam and Dicie Swan in 1889 and F. E. and M. E. Simpson in 1907, enlarged the cemetery grounds. A building referred to as "the shed" was built in the 1920s for funeral services, but it burned in 1949. The Hickory Grove Cemetery contains over 1,000 graves. The tombstones, diverse in style and size, serve as reminders of the area's pioneer heritage. Many mark the graves of infants and children and are a testament to the often harsh conditions of pioneer life. Others interred here include veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Korea. A cemetery association maintains the historic graveyard. #8201
?, Roxton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08202
William Huddle Home. Built by William Huddle, owner-operator of cotton gin and grist mill. He came to Texas from Virginia in 1855. First house, built in 1870s, was destroyed by fire. This one built in 1880s has same floor plan-- the ell-shape typical of farm houses in mid-19th century. Has 7 doors opening onto galleries on 3 sides. Heat is from 3 fireplaces on ground floor. Contains no closets. Water supply was cistern at rear. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968 #8202
?, Hopewell, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08203
Site of Lafayette. First county seat of Lamar County. A clapboard courthouse was built by John Lovejoy in 40 acres donated by John Watson. Here court was held June 1841 to June 1843. John A. Rutherford, Chief Justice; John R. Craddock, County Clerk
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08204
Lamar County. 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 Vernon, 1843, Paris, originally called Pinhook, 1844, have served as county seat. #8204
US 82, Paris, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08205
Lamar County, C. S. A.. Of 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 County gave much food to the Confederacy, despite unrest over rumors of Federal invasion from the north. In 1861, Lamar County sent to the Texas Secession Convention the one delegation to vote unanimously against secession. Citizens in the statewide election also opposed secession by vote of 663 to 553. Once war came, however, the county raised at least 9 combat companies. Organized 9th Texas Infantry, led in succession by Colonels S. B. Maxey, W. H. Young and W. A. Stanley. The 9th fought at bloody Shiloh in 1862 and later was in famous Hood's Texas Brigade, one of the most illustrious armies in the Civil War. Maxey became one of the 3 major generals and Young one of the 32 brigadier generals given by the state of Texas to the Confederate cause. Among most noted of Texas contractors of beef to feed Confederate armies was a Lamar countian, John Chisum, who during wartime became a cattle king, with great herds in open country to the west. #8205
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08206
Lamar County Fair. Five Paris businessmen founded the Lamar County Fair Association in 1911: Guy S. Caldwell (1875-1937), C. J. Musselman (1884-1951), John C. Gibbons (1895-1936), Rube Wells (1859-1951), and Dr. M. L. Maxwell (1865-1939). Each of the men invested one hundred dollars to begin the venture, and Henry Clement loaned them property on which to erect fair buildings. The fair property served as an emergency relief camp and shelter following a major fire in Paris in 1916. The coliseum, designed by architect J. L. Wees, was completed in 1921 and has been the site of many activities. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 #8206
Fairgrounds, NE 6th St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08207
Judge Wm. Henry Lightfoot House. 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 well beneath back porch. Restored by Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers Coleman. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965 #8207
Church and Washington St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08208
Home of Sam Bell Maxey. (Star and Wreath) 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 1863-1865 organizing three brigades of Indians which participated in Red River Campaign, Cavalry division commander, U. S. Senator 1875-1887. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Paris. #8208
812 S. Church St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08210
McCuistion Home. Built 1858 as story and a half home by early doctor, A. S. Johnson. Remodelled 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 Paris as a hospital center. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965 #8210
730 Clarksville, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08211
Capt. Wm. E. Moore Home. Old Southern style homestead, 1871, 1-1/2 stories. Built by soldier, statesman, citizen, Capt. Wm. E. Moore and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Neal. During Civil War, Capt. Moore commanded "Shreveport Grays." In 1872, won race for state senator, after campaign when he shared buggy with rival. Held office in administration of Governor Richard Coke, which marked end of Reconstruction in Texas. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965 #8211
?, , TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08212
Moore's Springs Cemetery. 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 this cemetery, which started on the Moore farm, date to 1873. Moore family members, as well as many of their neighbors, are interred in the historic graveyard. It was officially recorded in county deed records in 1895 after Robert H. Moore, a son of L. V. Moore, donated a 1-acre tract of land for burial purposes. #8212
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08213
Old Cemetery of Paris. 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 illegible, the date is thought to be 1845. The oldest legible stone marks the grave of Thomas Wortham (1776-1846). Site of the primary burial ground for Paris between 1845-1865, the plot was also referred to as Wright's Cemetery. In 1866 the Evergreen Cemetery was begun, called the New Cemetery, and many graves were exhumed and moved there. George W. Wright was buried in the Old Cemetery in 1877. A cemetery association was formed in 1879, and in 1885 Wright heirs deeded the land to its trustees. In 1922 the cemetery was deeded to the city of Paris and a standpipe was located there for the new Lake Crook Waterworks. The cemetery contains approximately 325 graves. About one hundred markers are intact, and show the majority of burials to have taken place between 1870-1910. Many early community leaders are buried here, and a granite marker honors members of the 9th Texas Infantry, C. S. A., who died in a measles epidemic in 1862. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #8213
5th and 6th St. (400 block), Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08214
Paris. 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, blocks and streets was drawn, and from that beginning grew the present city. #8214
200 block NW 3rd St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08215
Mount Vernon. Here on 100 acres donated by Mathias Click 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 clerk #8215
?, Mount Vernon, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08216
The Paris Fire, 1916. 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. #8216
Main and Grand, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08217
Paris Fire Department. 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 fire department in 1908. Operating from facilities at this site since 1884, the fire department has exhibited exemplary service in a number of disastrous fires, most notably the great fire of March 2,1 1916, which killed three people, destroyed 1,400 buildings, and caused millions of dollars' worth of property damage. #8217
107 E. Kaufman, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08218
Paris Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M.. 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. Over the years members have met at numerous locations in Paris before building a hall at this site in 1985. Paris Lodge No. 27, noted for its charitable and civic contributions, has been in continuous existence since 1845. In 1873, 1956, and 1961 a member of this lodge served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas. #8218
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08219
Paris Public Schools. 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 Travis Henderson, the city council appointed a board of trustees to supervise the first full session of the newly organized school system. Three schools comprised the system in 1884. The Aikin Institute, later known as Aikin High School and as Paris High School, was located at this site. The second facility was the Graham School, originally known as the Paris Female Institute. A school for black students was located on North Jefferson Street in 1884. It later was moved to another site and was named Gibbons High School in honor of the former mayor. J. C. Brooks of Tennessee served as first superintendent of Paris Public Schools. A later superintendent, J. G. Wooten, served for 37 years and was responsible for much improvement and expansion, including the 1924 addition of Paris Junior College, which remained part of the public school system until 1949. Through its years of growth and development, the Paris Public Schools have educated and influenced thousands of students throughout the community. #8219
3rd and Lamar, Paris, TX, United States