Paris, Maine
Encyclopedia
Paris is a town
in and the county seat
of Oxford County
, Maine
, United States
. The population was 4,793 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place
of South Paris
is located within the town. Because the U.S. Post Office refers to the entire town as South Paris, the town as a whole is commonly referred to as South Paris. The main exception is the area known as Paris Hill, which is a scenic historic district
popular with tourists.
on June 11, 1771 to Captain Joshua Fuller of Watertown, Massachusetts
and 59 others (or their heirs) for service during the French and Indian Wars
. It was the second attempt to repay the soldiers, because their first grant in New Hampshire
, made on November 24, 1736 and called Township Number Four, was deemed invalid because of a prior claim by the heirs of John Mason. The land in Maine would retain the name Township Number Four.
It was first settled near the center of the town in 1779 by Lemuel Jackson, John Willis and their families. Organized as Number Four Plantation, it was incorporated as Paris on June 20, 1793. At the establishment of Oxford County in 1805, Paris was designated its county seat and developed into a thriving community. It was noted for scenic beauty and excellent pasturage, including some of the state's best livestock
and dairy
farms. It also had many large apple
orchard
s. The village of Paris Hill was established at an elevation of 820 feet (249.9 m) above sea level, with views of Mount Chocorua
and Mount Washington
in the White Mountains
. The Paris Hill Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1973, has fine examples of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. The old Oxford County Jail, built of granite
in 1822, was given in 1902 to the Paris Hill Library Association, and is now the Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum.
The Little Androscoggin River
provided water power for mills at South Paris
, to which the town center shifted after the arrival of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad on June 8, 1850. Industries included a gristmill
, sawmill
, shingle
mill, planing mill
, iron
foundry
and machine shop.
In the 1890s, the county seat moved here from Paris Hill to be near the train station. Manufacturing would fade with the Great Depression
, but South Paris remains the commercial part of the town. West Paris
, which includes North Paris, was set off and incorporated in 1957.
, the town has a total area of 41 square miles (106.2 km²), of which 40.8 square miles (105.7 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), or 0.49%, is water. Paris is drained by the Little Androscoggin River
. The town is located on a bed of pegmatite
in which many semi-precious gem
s and rare stones can be found, including beryl
, garnet
, tourmaline
, amethyst
and smoky quartz
.
Paris is crossed by 26
, 117
, 118
and 119.
of 2000, there were 4,793 people, 1,975 households, and 1,238 families residing in the town. The population density
was 117.6 people per square mile (45.4/km²). There were 2,142 housing units at an average density of 52.5 per square mile (20.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.89% White, 0.31% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races
, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population. 31.2% were of English
, 15.0% American
, 9.9% French
, 9.7% Irish
and 7.1% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 1,975 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,625, and the median income for a family was $43,166. Males had a median income of $28,235 versus $20,764 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,441. About 4.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Oxford County
Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine with a population of 57,833 as of the 2010 U.S. census. Its county seat is Paris.Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area while a different part of Oxford County is...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,793 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
of South Paris
South Paris, Maine
South Paris is a census-designated place located within the town of Paris in Oxford County, Maine, in the United States. The population was 2,237 at the 2000 census...
is located within the town. Because the U.S. Post Office refers to the entire town as South Paris, the town as a whole is commonly referred to as South Paris. The main exception is the area known as Paris Hill, which is a scenic historic district
Historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
popular with tourists.
History
It was granted by MassachusettsMassachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
on June 11, 1771 to Captain Joshua Fuller of Watertown, Massachusetts
Watertown, Massachusetts
The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census.- History :Archeological evidence suggests that Watertown was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from England...
and 59 others (or their heirs) for service during the French and Indian Wars
French and Indian Wars
The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts lasting 74 years in North America that represented colonial events related to the European dynastic wars...
. It was the second attempt to repay the soldiers, because their first grant in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, made on November 24, 1736 and called Township Number Four, was deemed invalid because of a prior claim by the heirs of John Mason. The land in Maine would retain the name Township Number Four.
It was first settled near the center of the town in 1779 by Lemuel Jackson, John Willis and their families. Organized as Number Four Plantation, it was incorporated as Paris on June 20, 1793. At the establishment of Oxford County in 1805, Paris was designated its county seat and developed into a thriving community. It was noted for scenic beauty and excellent pasturage, including some of the state's best livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
farms. It also had many large apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
s. The village of Paris Hill was established at an elevation of 820 feet (249.9 m) above sea level, with views of Mount Chocorua
Mount Chocorua
Mount Chocorua is a summit in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At an elevation of it is the easternmost peak of the Sandwich Range....
and Mount Washington
Mount Washington (New Hampshire)
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at , famous for dangerously erratic weather. For 76 years, a weather observatory on the summit held the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, , on the afternoon of April 12, 1934...
in the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
. The Paris Hill Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973, has fine examples of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. The old Oxford County Jail, built of granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
in 1822, was given in 1902 to the Paris Hill Library Association, and is now the Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum.
The Little Androscoggin River
Little Androscoggin River
The Little Androscoggin River is a river in Maine. It flows from Bryant Pond in Woodstock to its confluence with the Androscoggin River in Auburn...
provided water power for mills at South Paris
South Paris, Maine
South Paris is a census-designated place located within the town of Paris in Oxford County, Maine, in the United States. The population was 2,237 at the 2000 census...
, to which the town center shifted after the arrival of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad on June 8, 1850. Industries included a gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
, sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
, shingle
Roof shingle
Roof shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements. These elements are typically flat rectangular shapes laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive higher row overlapping the joints in the row below...
mill, planing mill
Planing mill
A planing mill is a facility that takes cut and seasoned boards from a sawmill and turns them into finished dimensional lumber. Machines used in the mill include the planer and matcher, the molding machines, and varieties of saws...
, iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
foundry
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
and machine shop.
In the 1890s, the county seat moved here from Paris Hill to be near the train station. Manufacturing would fade with the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, but South Paris remains the commercial part of the town. West Paris
West Paris, Maine
West Paris is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,722 at the 2000 census.-History:It began as part of Paris, granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1771 to Captain Joshua Fuller and his company of 64 soldiers as payment for their service to the colony...
, which includes North Paris, was set off and incorporated in 1957.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 41 square miles (106.2 km²), of which 40.8 square miles (105.7 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), or 0.49%, is water. Paris is drained by the Little Androscoggin River
Little Androscoggin River
The Little Androscoggin River is a river in Maine. It flows from Bryant Pond in Woodstock to its confluence with the Androscoggin River in Auburn...
. The town is located on a bed of pegmatite
Pegmatite
A pegmatite is a very crystalline, intrusive igneous rock composed of interlocking crystals usually larger than 2.5 cm in size; such rocks are referred to as pegmatitic....
in which many semi-precious gem
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
s and rare stones can be found, including beryl
Beryl
The mineral beryl is a beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate with the chemical formula Be3Al26. The hexagonal crystals of beryl may be very small or range to several meters in size. Terminated crystals are relatively rare...
, garnet
Garnet
The garnet group includes a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. The name "garnet" may come from either the Middle English word gernet meaning 'dark red', or the Latin granatus , possibly a reference to the Punica granatum , a plant with red seeds...
, tourmaline
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a crystal boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and the gem comes in a wide variety of colors...
, amethyst
Amethyst
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry. The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀ a- and μέθυστος methustos , a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness; the ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief...
and smoky quartz
Smoky quartz
Smoky or smokey quartz is a brown to black variety of quartz. Like other quartz gems, it is a silicon dioxide crystal. The smoky colour results from free silicon, formed from the silicon dioxide by natural irradiation.-Morion:...
.
Paris is crossed by 26
Maine State Route 26
State Route 26 is a 96.7 mile-long state highway in southwestern Maine. It was first commissioned in 1925, as part of the New England road marking system. Route 26 in Maine, as well as New Hampshire and the short stub in Vermont, covers the route of the old New England Interstate Route 26...
, 117
Maine State Route 117
State Route 117 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from Route 112 in Saco to Route 219 in Turner.- Route description :...
, 118
Maine State Route 118
State Route 118 is a long state highway in southern Maine. It runs east–west between the towns of Waterford and Norway.-Route description:...
and 119.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,793 people, 1,975 households, and 1,238 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 117.6 people per square mile (45.4/km²). There were 2,142 housing units at an average density of 52.5 per square mile (20.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.89% White, 0.31% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population. 31.2% were of English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 15.0% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 9.9% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 9.7% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 7.1% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 1,975 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,625, and the median income for a family was $43,166. Males had a median income of $28,235 versus $20,764 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,441. About 4.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
Sites of interest and National Historic Places
- Celebration Barn Theater
- Hamlin Memorial Library & Museum
- Paris Cape Historical Society
- Deering Memorial United Methodist ChurchDeering Memorial United Methodist ChurchDeering Memorial United Methodist Church is a historic church at 39 Main Street in Paris, Maine.It was built in 1911 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.-See also:...
Notable people
- Charles AndrewsCharles Andrews (Maine)Charles Andrews was a United States Representative from Maine. He was born in Paris, Maine on February 11, 1814. He attended the district school and graduated from Hebron Academy....
, congressman - Timothy J. CarterTimothy J. CarterTimothy Jarvis Carter was a United States Representative from Maine. He was born in Bethel in the Maine district of Massachusetts on August 18, 1800. He attended the town schools of Bethel, studied law in Northampton, Massachusetts, was admitted to the bar in 1826 and commenced practice in...
, congressman - Charles DeeringCharles DeeringCharles Deering was an American businessman, art collector, and philanthropist. He was an executive of the agricultural machinery company founded by his father that became International Harvester. Charles's successful stewardship of the family firm left him with the means and leisure to indulge...
, businessman, philanthropist - James DeeringJames DeeringJames Deering was an industrialist executive in the family Deering Harvester Company and subsequent International Harvester, a socialite, and an antiquities collector. He is known for his landmark Vizcaya estate, where he was an early 20th century resident on Biscayne Bay in the present day...
, industrialist, builder of Villa VizcayaVilla VizcayaVizcaya, now named the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deering, of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune, on Biscayne Bay in the present day Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida... - William DeeringWilliam DeeringWilliam Deering was an American businessman and philanthropist.He inherited a woolen mill in Maine, but made his fortune in later life with the Deering Harvester Company.-Life:Deering was born April 25, 1826 in South Paris, Maine...
, businessman, philanthropist - Rufus K. GoodenowRufus K. GoodenowRufus King Goodenow was a United States Representative from Maine. Born in Henniker, New Hampshire on April 24, 1790, he moved with his parents to Brownfield, Maine in 1802. He received limited schooling, subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits...
, congressman - Hannibal HamlinHannibal HamlinHannibal Hamlin was the 15th Vice President of the United States , serving under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War...
, congressman, senator, 26th Governor of Maine, 15th US vice president - Levi HubbardLevi HubbardLevi Hubbard was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts to Jonas Hubbard and Mary Hubbard, he attended the common schools...
, congressman - William Wirt KimballWilliam Wirt KimballWilliam Wirt Kimball was a U.S. naval officer and an early pioneer in the development of submarines.-Biography:Kimball was born in Paris, Maine...
, admiral - Horatio KingHoratio KingHoratio King was Postmaster General of the United States under James Buchanan.Born in Paris, Maine, he received a common school education, and at the age of 18 entered the office of the Paris Jeffersonian, where he learned printing, afterward becoming owner and editor of the paper...
, postmaster general - Enoch LincolnEnoch LincolnEnoch Lincoln was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and from Maine, son of Levi Lincoln and brother of Levi Lincoln . Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Lincoln graduated from Harvard University in 1807.He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of his profession in...
, congressman, 6th Governor of Maine - Tony MontanaroTony MontanaroTony Montanaro was one of the great mime artists of the 20th century. Born in Paulsboro, New Jersey on September 10, 1927, Montanaro earned a theater degree from Columbia University and began performing stock theater with actors such as Jason Robards and Jackie Cooper...
, mime, director, instructor - Harvey D. ParkerHarvey D. ParkerHarvey D. Parker , also known as H.D. Parker, was an hotelier in Boston, Massachusetts. He built the Parker House, the first hotel in the United States "on the European Plan".-Biography:...
, hotelier - Albion K. ParrisAlbion K. ParrisAlbion Keith Parris was an American politician and jurist of Maine. Parris served in many elected and appointed positions throughout this life, including state legislator, U.S. Senator, the fifth Governor of Maine, state Supreme Court judge, and mayor.-Biography:Parris was born in Hebron, Maine,...
, senator, 5th governor - Virgil D. ParrisVirgil D. ParrisVirgil Delphini Parris was a U.S. Representative from Maine, and cousin of Albion Keith Parris.Born in Buckfield, Maine, Parris attended the common schools, whereupon he entered Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine, then Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He was graduated from Union College at...
, congressman - Joe PerhamJoe PerhamJoe Perham is an American humorist who is known for his "Down East Maine" humor. Perham's humor style was an influence on Tim Sample. Sample has described Perham as a "seriously funny guy with a professionally honed native wit, which inevitably leaves his audiences weak from laughter."-Early...
, storyteller, public speaker, humorist