Paris, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paris, Virginia
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Paris in autumn (Trinity United Methodist Church with Ashby Inn behind it)
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 Paris, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Paris, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Paris, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fauquier |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
20130
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| FIPS code | 061 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1493393 |
Paris is a small village in Fauquier County, Virginia, USA. It's close to the borders of Loudoun and Clarke counties. This village is in Virginia's "hunt country." It was built in an important location at the eastern foot of Ashby Gap, right along U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 50.
Contents
The Story of Paris, Virginia
Early Days and Naming
The land where Paris now stands was first owned by Peter Glascock in 1786. Before that, it was part of a large area called the Northern Neck Proprietary. A tavern was already operating nearby since 1782. Glascock also opened a similar business.
A post office was set up in Paris by September 1800. In 1810, the Virginia government officially created the town. It was planned at the crossing of Ashby Gap Road (now Route 50) and Dumfries-Winchester Road (now Route 17). The town had been laid out with streets about 20 years earlier.
Some people called the village "Punkin Ville." This was slang for a small, out-of-the-way place. The town was named "Paris" to honor the Marquis de la Fayette, a French hero of the American Revolutionary War. He visited the United States after the War of 1812. Peter Glascock, who owned the land, had fought in the Revolutionary War and admired Lafayette greatly.
Growth and Challenges
Paris grew in the early 1800s. By 1835, about 200 people lived there. The town had several taverns, three stores, a school, and a church. Many different types of workers lived in Paris. These included saddlers, blacksmiths, and shoemakers.
However, the town's growth slowed down in the mid-1800s. This happened because new railroads were built, but none went through Paris. The Manassas Gap Railroad was built in 1852. It went through nearby towns like Marshall and Delaplane. This meant that businesses in Paris that relied on wagons and carts began to struggle.
Because it was far from the train lines, Paris saw little fighting during the American Civil War. The main roads, Routes 17 and 50, were later moved slightly outside the old town center.
Historic Buildings and Places
The original Old Meetinghouse was built in 1830. It was made of brick and located on Republican Street. Different churches used it before the Civil War. Later, it became a school for African-American children. Today, it is a private home.
The Trinity United Methodist Church was built between 1892 and 1893. It has a Gothic Revival style. This church is no longer used for regular services but can host events. The famous Ashby Inn is very close to this church.
In 1951, a kind person named Paul Mellon helped rebuild the Trinity Episcopal Church. This church had been taken down in 1895 because it was damp. It was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style.
The Paris Historic District is a special area in the town. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history. Many of the town's old buildings were built between 1810 and 1850. Some are log cabins from the 1820s.
Fun Places to Visit Nearby
Paris is a great spot for outdoor adventures!
- It's just north of Sky Meadows State Park.
- It's a short drive from the Thompson Wildlife Management Area.
- The famous Appalachian Trail goes through both of these parks.
- The village is in "Hunt Country" and celebrated its 200th birthday in 2010.
- A quick drive west on Route 50 takes you to the Shenandoah River. There's a place there to launch boats.
- The top of the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking Paris, is called Ashby Gap. The view from here looking east is so beautiful that it's protected. This means the view will stay clear for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
