Monroe County
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Settled over a century and a half ago, today Paris and the surrounding community is quickly becoming a focal point of the 18,6000 acre Mark Twain Lake in Northeast Missouri.
The county seat of Monroe County, Paris is nestled in the agriculturally-fertile Salt River Valley.
Despite its small size (1,500 in Paris and less than 10,000 in the county), the area offers virtually every accommodation and novelty found in much larger population centers. And because of its limited population, the community places a high regard on its people and neighbors.
Visitors to Mark Twain Lake will be attracted by Florida's Mark Twain Shrine. The quarter-of-a-centruy old museum is a tribute to Samuel Clemens, who was born in the county and in later years used many of his childhood friends from the county in in his books.
Along with Twain's original birthplace, the Shrine posesses the authors invaluable handwritten manuscript of "Tom Sawyer".
The Monroe County Courthouse was constructed in 1912, it was the last domed courthouse built in Missouri. It was constructed of limestone, marble and granite at a cost of $100,000. The Great Seal of Missouri is featured in mosaic tile on the floor of the rotunda. Also featured in the courthouse are four murals painted by Mrs. Doris Hill of Paris, each depicting a 50-year period.
Monroe County also has one of the four remaining Missouri Covered Bridges which is located just west of town.
Other communities in Monroe County include: Monroe City, Holliday, Middle Grove, Madison, Santa Fe, Goss, Stoutsville, Victor, and Strother.
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University of Missouri Extension Monroe County monroeco@missouri.edu Updated 05/24/04 |
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