Paris, Kentucky

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This article is about the Kentucky city. For other uses, see Paris (disambiguation).

Paris is a city that was settled in 1775 and is in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 113 miles (182 km) east of Louisville Ky., on the Stoner Fork of the Licking River. The town was originally known as Hopewell, Virginia when it was chartered in 1789. The name was changed in 1790 to reflect appreciation for French assistance during the Revolutionary War. Its tourism motto is "Horses, history and hospitality".

Paris, Kentucky was first chartered as a city in 1862. In 1900, 4,603 people lived here; in 1910, 5,859; and in 1940, 6,697. The population was 9,183 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bourbon County^GR6. Its ZIP code is 40361.

Paris is home to Xalapa and Claiborne Farms, prominent thoroughbred race horse breeding operations. Triple Crown winner Secretariat retired to Claiborne Farm and is buried there, as is the immortal Buckpasser.

Several Paris natives have made their name as inventors. Garrett Morgan invented the tri-color traffic signal and the gas mask, while George Snyder invented the first fishing reel made in the USA.

John Fox, Jr., author of The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come was born in Paris, KY.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Highlights
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Paris is located at 38°12′23″N, 84°15′28″W (38.206476, -84.257670)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.6 km² (6.8 mi²). 17.6 km² (6.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.29%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 9,183 people, 3,857 households, and 2,487 families residing in the city. The population density was 521.4/km² (1,351.2/mi²). There were 4,222 housing units at an average density of 239.7/km² (621.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.23% White, 12.71% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 1.35% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.62% of the population.

There were 3,857 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,872, and the median income for a family was $37,358. Males had a median income of $29,275 versus $21,285 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,645. About 17.5% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Highlights

The Nannine Clay Wallis Arboretum, located at 616 Pleasant Street, is a four acre arboretum that is home to The Garden Club of Kentucky. Many of the trees on the grounds were planted in the 1850 when the house was built. Nannine Clay Wallis continued the tradition of planting the latest trees introductions when her father bought the property in 1900. New trees are always being added to the collection. Her daylilies and those hybridized by a former GCKY president, roses and other flowers are featured, also. Admission is free.

The Hopewell Museum, located at 800 Pleasant Street, is free and open to the public on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. The museum is closed the month of January. The Beaux Arts structure was built in 1909 and served as the area's first Post Office.

Duncan Tavern, located in the Courthouse Square, is home to the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The stone structure was built in 1788 by Major Joseph Duncan and now houses an extensive genealogical collection. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday for tours, which are given at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $2 for children 6-12 and free for 5 and under.

The Shinner Building, located on the corner of 8th and Main Streets, is listed by Ripley's Believe it or Not as the world's tallest three story structure. Built in 1891, it is currently home to the Paradise Cafe.

Six miles east of Paris, is the Cane Ridge Meeting House. Built in 1791, it is said to be the largest one-room log structure in the country. The log building is now housed inside a large stone structure, which protects it from the elements. The Cane Ridge Meeting House is one of the sites of the Great Revival of 1801, where an estimated 25,000 worshippers gathered. From that revival, the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ (DOC) was founded.

Those looking for chain restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls drive along the Paris Pike to Lexington.