Discover Edgar: Lakes, Parks, and History

Discover Edgar through its protected natural areas, waterways, and layered local history. Baber Woods is a nature preserve in Edgar County; in Paris, Illinois, lakes, parks, historic buildings, and cultural attractions offer more ideas for your trip. You can choose from different themes: fishing and time by the water, walking trails, or history and performing arts.

Nature, Water, and Parks

Paris East Lake is a 163-acre reservoir connected to Paris West Lake. Fishing is available for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, saugeye, and hybrid striped bass. East Lake Park lies south of the boat ramp and has a swimming beach, playground, and pavilion. The lake's main boat ramp is located on Lakeside Terrace Drive. If you're planning a day by the water, these details can help you decide how to spend it: fishing on the lake or enjoying the park facilities. Baber Woods offers a different kind of natural setting from the lake's fishing opportunities: it is a nature preserve in Edgar County.

Paris's city parks also differ in their amenities and design. Sunrise Park has playground equipment, a baseball field, a basketball court, picnic facilities, and a children's wading pool. Its unusual trees include a sarvis tree and a fringe tree. At Samuel Vance Park, gas lamps, a lion-head fountain, a sunken garden, benches, and a curved wall recall a thoughtfully designed park. The park honors Samuel Vance, who founded Paris in 1823, and is located on the site of the original town hall.

There are also different settings for walks: Schwartz Park is a one-acre wooded park with a pavilion, gardens, and a brick path around the perimeter. Blackhawk Park is used for fishing and scouting; its features include scenic paths and natural walking trails. Twin Lakes Park is the city's oldest and most important recreation center; its development began in 1895. These places offer a variety of parks and trails, so a walk need not look the same everywhere.

Historic Paris

Paris's town square is home to the Edgar County Courthouse, a brick and stone building dating from 1893 that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its four-sided clock tower rises 150 feet. Markers about Edgar County's history surround the square. The building combines a distinctive architectural form with a setting where the county's history can be read in the townscape. Note the distinction from the second courthouse: Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas gave speeches there during separate visits to Paris.

Other historic buildings and connections add to this picture. The Paris Carnegie Public Library has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002; the Shaw--Van Gilder House has been listed since 2007. The Edgar County Historical Complex includes the historic Arthur House, built by Henry Clay Moss. The historic Alexander House, dating from 1812, is now home to the Paris Arts Center. Abraham Lincoln visited the house when he was working as the family's lawyer. The veterans' memorial in Kiwanis Memorial Park is also part of local remembrance: it honors those killed in World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf Wars.

Culture and Events

The Edgar County Historical Society House, Museum and Annex offers a place in Paris to showcase the history, culture, art, architecture, and transportation history of Edgar County. It is open Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon; other hours are available by appointment only. The Paris Center of Fine Arts is a community-supported, nonprofit professional theater on the Paris High School campus. There is also the Paris Community Theater, an amateur theater group in the Paris area.

The Allis Chalmers Museum is another distinctive cultural attraction in Paris: its private collection includes Allis-Chalmers tractor models from 1914 to 1957. The annual Honeybee Festival, held in the fall on the fourth weekend in September, adds another date-specific option to your trip planning. If the festival is important to your travel dates, check the event dates in advance.

Which vacation rental fits your travel plans?

When searching for a vacation rental, it helps to first decide what you want your trip to focus on: fishing at Paris East Lake, parks and playgrounds, or history and culture in Paris? Visitors interested in historic sites can explore the courthouse, the markers on the town square, and Paris's various museums and theaters. For a stay focused more on nature and parks, the lakes, parks, and trails described here can help guide your daily plans.

Discover more destinations: St. Clair, Winnebago, Jackson, Wabash County, Massac County, Champaign, Tazewell County.

See the main travel overview: Illinois.