The county straddles the ridge of the Red and Sulphur rivers, with their many creeks and tributaries. Furs as well as goods from New Orleans and Shreveport, La., were shipped up the Red River in flatboats and paddle wheelers and then transported overland by wagon and oxcart.
In 1844 the Central National Road of the Republic of Texas was cut through the county, intersecting the city. Markers on US 82 and CR 195 denote the historic route. With the coming of such railroads as the Texas and Pacific in 1876, the Gulf Colorado, the Santa Fe and the Paris and Great Northern in 1888, the Texas Midland in 1895 and the Paris and Mount Pleasant in 1910, the town emerged as a rail center.
John Chisum, a local cattle baron, expanded into New Mexico, pioneering cattle trails from Fort Sumner to Las Animas and Tascosa. These routes are known as “Chisum Trails.” A monument marks his gravesite at the railroad tracks southwest of town. Twelve miles north is the 8,000-acre Pat Mayse Lake recreation area .
Visitor Centers
Paris Visitors and Convention Council 8 W. Plaza Paris, TX 75460. Phone:(903)784-2501 or (800)727-4789
Self-guiding Tours
Maps and brochures for driving tours of Paris and the surrounding countryside are available from the visitors and convention council.