Get ready to step back into the past and feel completely exhilarated doing it! 1st Street Lofts in Paris, Texas is not your average place to spend the night. The closest you will ever come to feeling like you’ve just traveled through time, you’re about to experience what sophisticated 1920’s living would have been like (with the modern accoutrements of today). In addition to the rental lofts, there’s also Sundae in Paris which you will find in the downtown square – literally just around the corner from the inn. Both have been designed and executed in the most stunning and brilliant way. Not to be missed, these two places, if for no other reason, should be why you visit the surprisingly idyllic town of Paris, Texas.
Paris, Texas
Though you may be thinking of the “real” Paris, the much smaller Texas town may not be as old as the one in France, but it’s got its own extensive history.
Co-owner of 1st Street Lofts, Walt, shares a little bit of the town’s background with me.
“Paris, Texas was founded in 1845 by a grant of land gifted by George W. Wright. Paris was known as a major mercantile and agricultural center for Northeast Texas. In 1915 the Gibraltar Hotel was built as a testament to Paris’ growth and claimed to be the finest hotel between Dallas and St. Louis. Though damaged by fire in 1916, a seventh floor was added during the 1916 restoration.
One of the major factors to contributing to what Paris is today is the “Great Fire” of 1916. The fire started around 5pm on March 21, and went through more than 260 acres, destroying over 1,400 buildings. It was at the time, the 3rd worst fire in US History behind the Great Chicago, and San Francisco fires. Incredibly, almost all of downtown was restored in less than 18 months. Because of this, the entire downtown is a national historic district recognized as the largest collection of 1916-1917 commercial architecture in one area in the US.
In 1887 William J McDonald started First National Bank in Paris. In 1914-1915, a beautiful new bank building was built on the Plaza. The interior of the building was destroyed, but because of the “modern construction” the shell of the building was intact and the interior was restored. McDonald was a well educated man, traveling the world and even attending summer school at Harvard. He never married, and upon his death in 1926, he bequeathed the bulk of his fortune to the University of Texas to build an observatory. The McDonald observatory in the Davis Mountains is recognized as one of the finest observatories in the world. The original telescope was the second largest in the world when constructed.”
He goes on to tell me,
“Paris also has contributed to the history of soft drinks. Dr Pepper, the oldest major national soft drink brand owes its current formula to Paris. Robert Lazenby learned his chemist and soda skills while growing up in Paris, at Tennessee Pharmacy. He later moved to Waco and created Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company. When Charles Alderton decided to start bottling Dr Pepper, he went to Lazenby to bottle his formula. Lazenby said it need to be modified, and he did so with the current 23 flavor formula. Lazenby went on to be a major owner and President of Dr Pepper for many years.”
But that’s not all.
“Not to be overlooked is Coca Cola. Paris, Texas served the very first Coke in Texas in Ledger Pharmacy on the Plaza,” he adds. I bet no one knew that fun little fact.
And some of the other sites you’re going to find when meandering around the downtown? Walt is font of knowledge when it comes to the town’s history. He plies me with more information by saying,
“Paris businessman and philanthropist J. J. Culbertson commissioned an Italian marble fountain made to commemorate the city’s rebirth after 1916. Designed by St. Louis architect J. L. Wees, it is said that it was inspired by fountains the Culbertson family had seen while in Italy and was completed in 1927. The fountain is the center of the downtown Plaza making it one of the prettiest downtowns in Texas.
During World War II, Camp Maxey, just north of Paris, was an army training camp and German prisoner of war camp, housing over 7,000 German prisoners of War.” And if this weren’t enough, there’s some additional fame to Paris.
“Paris has also had its share of celebrities, including Gene Stallings (Alabama head football coach), Raymond Berry (NFL Hall of Famer and New England Patriots head coach), Vanilla Ice (entertainer), Shangela (entertainer), Gary B.B. Coleman (entertainer), A.M. Aikin – Texas Senator that at his retirement was the longest-tenures legislator in Texas history, and Ben Love(banker and Civic Leader).”
And from my own personal experience visiting Paris for 2 days, I fell in love with it. Aside from this extensive history, Paris is a charming, lovely little town in Texas. With its own Eiffel Tower (albeit with a cowboy hat on top) , the little downtown is enchanting, making you feel like you’ve stepped into the past all by itself. Which is why 1st Street Lofts is a perfect addition to the town. As it too, takes you back in time.
1st Street Lofts
1st Street Lofts is not just unique in its interior design and concept. It’s also unique as a location and a type of rental residence. Standard places to stay are hotels, B&Bs or even guesthouses. But rarely do we ever hear of lofts. This particular niche is not easily come by, but 1st Street Lofts is the place to go when seeking such an accommodation.
Walt, who is originally from Paris, has wanted to keep the heritage and the style of the town in its original form. When asked how he came up with the theme of both his units and his ice cream parlor, he tells me that the Roaring 20’s is when Paris was in its heyday. The buildings in which he has his respective spaces were originally built in 1916-1917, therefore going along with that theme was one that was great to embrace, in his opinion. And I agree.
The interior design in large measure is credited to a very talented woman named, Loree Johnson, who hails from Oklahoma City. Her technique and approach to the details in each of the suites is so remarkably showstopping, that there were times I caught myself thinking I was actually in the 20’s. Okay, maybe not actually believing I was in the 1920s, but I liked to pretend I was.
From the tile in the bathroom, to the backdrop behind the television in the living room, to all the bright colored furniture in the main room which countered so exquisitely with the black and white kitchen – her work is so beautiful and simultaneously brilliant, I can’t say enough positive things about it.
“37 Clarksville is the current address of the historic building built in 1916 that is presently home to 1st Street Lofts, and will be home to a speakeasy / event space – The Cellar on 1st. The Cellar will also have a Roaring 20s theme,” he tells me. Making me all the more excited to visit Paris again in the near future. Who wouldn’t want to sleep in the 1920s, have ice cream in the 1920s and then go to a speakeasy like you’re in the 1920s? I’m so there.
And the space of the lofts? In total, there a 4 lofts – a 2BR suite, a 1BR suite, and 2 efficiencies. All keeping in line with their 1920s theme, you will be absolutely blown away with the interior design of all the rooms in each unit, but most especially the bathrooms.
“The lofts are designed to give visitors a unique place to stay while visiting Paris. The building, built in 1916, provides a great canvas toward restoration, and to bring back a 1920’s vibe while staying,” Walt notes.
Sundae In Paris
“Sundae in Paris gives visitors a great atmosphere to enjoy ice cream and yummy treats. Set in a 1916 bank building, there is a sense of nostalgia while enjoying the creative desserts,” he adds about the incredible building in which the soda fountain shop is located.
And let me assure you, that building is breathtaking. With the original architecture very evident, there are similarities in this ice cream parlor’s building to feelings of being back in Europe. The chandeliers alone are gob smacking, and the attention to detail as far as the décor is concerned in general, is aptly executed.
With a 1920s meets Parisian café theme, Sundae in Paris is beyond suitable for all types of guests who want to come in and have a little ice cream at the end of a busy day.
And while my favorite thing that I had while at Sundae in Paris was there Strawberry Sundae, Walt tells me that their most popular items are the handmade waffle cone, and their 4 flavor flight and craft floats are always items that guests choose.
How to Book a Stay
Obviously there are lots of reasons to come to 1st Street Lofts, and my recommendation is that you most absolutely do. While you may not have had your sights set on Paris before landing on this page, you should make it a part of your travel list now.
Walt makes a special point of saying,
“So many people come to Paris to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower with the red cowboy hat, but the real jewel of Paris is its historic downtown with many eateries, boutiques, and interesting sites.” And he’s right. The downtown area is so captivating in its charm and sweetness, you’ll long to stay here more than a couple of days.
The lofts are the only place you should consider staying while in Paris, Texas, because frankly – they’re quite possibly the coolest place to stay in Texas in general. The bed was literally the most comfortable I slept on during an entire 3 week cross-country trip; the kitchen was extremely convenient, stocked with everything one could need or want; the bathroom had the most amazing bathtub and shower; and the living room was so enjoyable to lounge in, feeling like you were living the high-life in the 1920s.
So how does one book a room here? Walt tells me,
“Everything is handled online through Airbnb, and our electronic lock system makes it convenient for guest to self check in.” All true. When I arrived, a special code had been made for me for both the downstairs front door getting into the building and then again for my suite. A totally independent way of checking-in and out, you have complete autonomy while staying here.
That’s not to say that their business manager, Maryanne, isn’t super eager to help with anything that guests may want or need while staying here. But if you’re someone like me who likes to be left on their own while traveling, then you will relish in the privacy, comfort and ease of staying at 1st Street Lofts.
And Sundae in Paris? The only thing better than their ice cream and remarkably friendly and warm staff is the ambiance here. Visiting the past is possible. You just have to go to Paris, Texas to make it a reality.
So what are you waiting for? You know you want to have some ice cream in a historic building, or sleep in a place that makes you feel like you’re a high society flapper.
Stop in to Sundae in Paris and book your loft at 1st Street Lofts today. Just make sure that when you do, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
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