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Paris, Texas, was formally founded in February <br />1844 after George Wright donated 5O acres of <br />land for the establishment of the Lamar County <br />seat. The City of Paris was incorporated by the <br />Congress of the Republic of Texas on February <br />3, 1845. However, before this time, other known <br />settlements existed. The first recorded <br />settlement in the Paris vicinity was in 1825, but <br />settlements were known in the area as early as <br />1824. Later, in 1837, Claiborne Chisum bought a <br />large tract of land west of Paris, upon which <br />several permanent residences already stood. <br />Then in 1839, George Wright, who came to the <br />Red River Vallley in 181�6 at the age of 17 with his <br />father, purchased one thousand acres, of the <br />Larkin Rattan Headright Survey and donated the <br />50 acres for the establishment of a town where <br />he opened a store. The town was surveyed in a <br />grid pattern, with Wright's store in the, middle. <br />The store was located in the uplands dividing the <br />tributaries of the Red and Sulphur Rivers. The <br />ridge stands, at 650 feet, not particularly high, but <br />from 50 to 200 feet above the surrounding land <br />where it was protected from flood, had good <br />drainage, and received abundant prevaillinig <br />breezes. Paris was founded and mostly settled <br />by those familiar with the surrounding area. <br />Those who conceived and planned the town had <br />lived in its vicinity for years and had a complete <br />understanding of the territory. They were famill,iar <br />with the soil', their surroundings, and even the <br />weather. For many years, Paris merchants <br />utilized the Red River to ship and receive goods. <br />This location was also on the Central National <br />Road which ran from San Antonio, through Paris, <br />across the Red River, <br />Paris looked north for trade and expansion.. The <br />Red River separated the Republic of Texas from <br />the United States. It also served as the division <br />between the Anglo colonies to the south and the <br />Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations to the north. <br />Paris benefited from the commerce and <br />exchange of services that took place between the <br />citizens of Paris and the Native Americans., With <br />Design Standards for the City of Paris, Texas 2 <br />