Paris, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paris, Michigan
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 Paris, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Paris, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Mecosta |
| Township | Green |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.89 sq mi (2.3 km2) |
| • Land | 0.86 sq mi (2.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 935 ft (285 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 271 |
| • Density | 315.5/sq mi (121.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
49338
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| Area code(s) | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-62400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2804350 |
Paris is a small community located in Michigan, United States. It's found in Mecosta County, within Green Charter Township. It is called a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's an area the government tracks for population data. In 2020, 271 people lived in Paris.
Contents
History of Paris, Michigan
How Paris Got Its Name
The story of Paris began in the 1850s with a man named John Parish. He is known as the "father" of the village. In 1865, he officially planned out the village. At first, the community was named "Parish" after him. Later, the name was changed to Paris.
Important Events in Paris
A big fire happened in Paris on May 26, 1879. This fire destroyed a large part of the village. Many important records for Green Township were also lost in this fire. Today, the ZIP code for Paris is 49338. This code covers the northwest part of Green Township.
Paris Fish Hatchery and Park
Paris Park is located at the northern edge of the community. This park was once home to Michigan's second fish hatchery. The Paris Fish Hatchery opened in 1881. From 1913 to 1938, it played a big role in fish conservation.
- Shipping Fish: Young salmon and brown trout were shipped from here. They traveled by train in special milk cans. These cans were painted a bright red color.
- Renovation and Park: In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped improve the hatchery. It was expanded and renovated. The hatchery stopped operating in 1964. In 1972, Mecosta County took over the site. They turned it into a park, which opened in July 1976.
Eiffel Tower Replica in Paris
In 1980, something unique was added to Paris Park. Students from the Mecosta-Osceola Career Center built a 20-foot-tall (6.1 m) replica of the Eiffel Tower. They used metal frames from old WPA workers' beds. These frames had been stored in barns for years.
Geography of Paris, Michigan
Where is Paris Located?
Paris is in the northwestern part of Mecosta County. It sits slightly north of the center of Green Township. The Muskegon River forms its eastern border. This river flows south towards Lake Michigan.
Nearby Cities and Area Size
Big Rapids is about 6 miles (10 km) south of Paris. Big Rapids is the main city and county seat for Mecosta County. Reed City is about 7 miles (11 km) north of Paris.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Paris CDP covers about 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) of land. A small part of this area, about 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2), is water.
