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Paris Info
Paris, located in the heart of the Kentucky's lovely Bluegrass region about 17 miles from Lexington, is the county seat of Bourbon County. The main connecting road between Paris and Lexington is the Paris Pike (KY 68/27) which was recently four-laned. The four-laning project was sensitive to the beauty and historic significance of the road and has won national awards and regional and local acclaim. Paris continues to be known for three things - horses, history and hospitality. Bourbon County was one of nine counties that made up Kentucky when it became a state in 1792. The city is named for Paris, France and the county is named for the French Bourbon family, who assisted the fledgling Americans in their split from England.
From small specialty, gift and antique shops to nationally known family owned businesses...Downtown Paris has a lot to offer! Downtown Paris is filled with shops and restaurants utilizing the historic buildings that line both sides of Main St. The downtown area, which includes one of the most intact Victorian-era Main Streets in the state, recently underwent a million dollar facelift and now sports antique lighting and brick sidewalks. The welcome flags that fly from the lampposts during the warmer months of the year indicate how local merchants and residents feel about those who visit Paris to shop at the local stores. Almost everything that a shopper could desire can be found on Main St. from antiques to collectibles to original art works to a pair of new shoes.
While in the downtown area of Paris, don't miss the historic Bourbon County Courthouse, said to be the most beautiful county courthouse in the state. Duncan Tavern, a three-story stone structure in continuous use since 1788 as a tavern, boarding house and, currently, as the home of the Kentucky Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is located on Courthouse Square.
Just one block off Main St. is Pleasant St. It rates a visit for several reasons: both the Nannine Clay Wallis Home and Arboretum and the Hopewell Museum are located on Pleasant St. as are many historic buildings that can be located using the available walking tour brochure.
A little way out 10th St. is the historical marker in honor of Garrett Morgan, an African-American man born and educated in Paris who went on to invent the tri-color or three position traffic light and the gas mask. Farther out Main St. is the Paris Cemetery, where the graves of John Fox, Jr., Hattie Hutchcraft Hill and other notable citizens can be found.
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History 
Phone:
(859)987-3205 | Toll Free Phone: (888)987-3205 |
E-mail: info@parisky.com 