100th anniversary of the Great Fire of Paris
January 2016
The Fire of 1916 was the greatest calamity that has ever befallen Paris Texas. Flames destroyed the town twice—first in 1877; however, the fire
of 1916 is generally referred to as the “Big Fire.”
Before and after shot of the “Big Fire”
The “Big Fire” was first seen in single story frame storage warehouse approximately a three fourths of a mile south from the principle mercantile district. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on March 21, 1916, the fire was ignited and flamed by high winds destroying 1440 buildings and homes over a 264 acre area. Among the public buildings destroyed were County Courthouse and jail, City Hall and Central Fire Station, Congregational, Episcopal, Baptist, Christian, Centenary Presbyterian, Church of Christ churches, the post office, Federal Courthouse, the high school, one grammar school, all
picture shows, all telegraph offices and the telephone exchange. The fire raged until 3:30 a.m. when it was finally brought under control with the
aid of volunteer firemen in wagons from Dallas, Honey Grove, Bonham, Cooper, and Hugo, Oklahoma. The cause of the fire was never
determined, four people died, and the estimated loss was over $11 million.
The Chamber President at the time created this sign right after the fire. It became the slogan for rebuilding. (Editor’s note: This spring Paris, Texas, a 23-year Main Street community, will recognize the 100th anniversary of the 1916 fire that destroyed downtown. According to a brochure on the fire, “The downtown brick buildings were no match for the intense heat of the fire. One after another they burst into flames and were rapidly consumed.” The clock in the courthouse tower stopped a little before 11 p.m. on the day of the fire. The courthouse would be rebuilt on the foundation of the one destroyed by the fire. Consequently, it now has two cornerstones, one for each courthouse. Four of the five banks in downtown were also completely destroyed by the fire. A focal point at the
center of downtown Paris today is Culbertson Fountain, which was dedicated in 1927 to commemorate the victory spirit of Paris and its recovery from the Fire of 1916. This article and images were submitted by Cheri Bedford, Paris Main Street manager, and Marvin Gorley, a graphic designer with Harrison, Walker and Harper.)
The city of Paris was almost swept completely swept away by the fire. Few who had gone to bed in the early morning hours with doubt in their
minds as to what the future would bring were soon to be informed. At dawn, before the ashes had cooled, there were men busy shoveling debris from the streets, others setting up tents in which to sell emergency supplies, others were conferring with architects and builders. An article in the Paris News dated March 23, 1916 stated, “Most of the merchants have already secured locations to go back to business temporarily until they
can rebuild.” A large card with the five letters SMILE, made at the direction of H.P. Mayer, was the first sign erected in Paris the morning after the city was destroyed. This simple word SMILE became the slogan that rebuilt the city of Paris in two years, exemplifying the spirit of the people to overcome the effects of this terrible disaster and build a more beautiful city than before. Today, Paris’ Commercial Historic District is in the
National Register of Historic Places as the largest collection of 1916-1918 buildings in the nation.
Special Events for the Commemoration
- A special brochure was created to be a Self-guided driving or bicycling tour of the path o f the fire. It was created as an educational piece, and it made a debut a few weeks ago in November when the Lamar County Historic Commission nominated “History Maker of the year”. We plan on using it for hosting Historic Trolley Tours ( our chamber owns a trolley) in 2016. The brochure is called “ The Day Paris Texas Burned.” and gives an hour by hour account of what happened in certain areas of the fire. Copy of brochure to follow.
- A centennial planning group has been selling calendars, history books, and commemorative brass ornaments to fundraising. The ornaments replicate the “Smile sign”. The history book is a thesis from 1936 where a school administrator in town had actually interviewed the survivors. It is said to be the most comprehensive booklet to date of the history of the fire.
- Downtown street lamp banners were created highlighting the architecture of the buildings rebuilt after the fire of 1916. The banners also have the word “Smile” These banners were created by Sarah Blankenship.
- A large billboard is going to go up over downtown that is a replica of the “Smile” Sign
- 100 Trees are going to be planted in honor of the 100 anniversary, this is a partnership with Atmos Energy. Beginning in the spring.
- ON the actual 100 anniversary, a solemn ceremony is being planned with to include bagpipes, history reading, fire truck parades-Neighboring towns who aided Paris during the fire have been invited.