After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began to colonize the western frontiers. Commonly called ”Mormons,” they had been driven from their homes in Illinois & Missouri.They were anxious to establish their own state so it could enter the Union. Calling their territory “Deseret,” a term from their Book of Mormon, meaning ‘honeybee,’ they strived to emulate bees’ industrious work ethic.
A constitution was ratified for the territory, and efforts to have their proposed state of “Deseret” acknowledged began. Deseret covered an enormous area, encompassing nearly all of present-day Utah & Nevada; large portions of California and Arizona; and parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho & Oregon. Church President Brigham Young called groups on missions to settle this vast territory. Church Apostle Charles C. Rich led a colony to southern California in 1850, settling in San Bernardino. In 1863, Rich was again called to establish colonies by Young- this time in the Bear Lake Valley.
Paris was the first permanent settlement in the Bear Lake Valley, and one of its first buildings is still intact: the Thomas Sleight cabin. Thomas’ descendant, Weldon Sleight quotes from Thomas’ journal, “On September 14, 1863, Thomas Sleight, then farming in Hyde Park, Utah, recorded…that he had been “called on a mission to the Bear Lake Valley. The very next day he, Lewis Ricks and others started their journey to the Valley. Eleven hard days later they stopped… next to a creek to establish the first settlement (on Sept. 26) in the Bear Lake Valley… which was later named Paris.” He continues “Two days later on September 28th it snowed’
“By Spring there were 34 cabins in all. One of the first was built by Thomas & Marianne Sleight and Charles & Ann Atkins. It is reported that the Sleight and Atkins couples spent the first winter in the cabin with a line drawn down the center of the one-room cabin designating the living space for each. Today this cabin is the oldest building in the Valley.” Settlements were also rapidly established in the surrounding area, including Ovid, Sharon, Liberty, Bloomington, St. Charles, Fish Haven and Montpelier all settled in 1864; with many other communities following.
The magnificent Bear Lake Stake Tabernacle was built by the LDS church from 1884-89. Construction materials were gathered for over 20 years before construction was allowed to begin. Brigham Young’s son, Don Carlos Young, designed the Roman revival-styled sandstone edifice to seat 1,400. Primarily utilized as a general meeting hall; its pine pews were carefully crafted to mimic expensive hardwoods. An enormous pipe organ rests at its east end.
The 1910 census listed Paris with 1038 city residents. Hotels, eating places and other prominent businesses located there. At least two sawmills, a flour mill and many other commercial concerns were built in nearby Paris Canyon. However, during the Great Depression, the population dwindled. The 2019 census showed 521 residents.
Paris is known for its community spirit and determination, with a reputation for hosting the best 4th of July celebration in the area. Other attractions include a pioneer museum, several art galleries and an astonishing number of historic buildings- over 93 historic sites and buildings are listed on the National Register.
Surprisingly, Paris, Idaho is not named after Paris, France; but rather after Frederick Perris, Charles C. Rich’s surveyor. But “Perris” soon morphed into “Paris”- and the spelling stuck. It had been assumed Paris was located in Utah. But, nine years after it was founded, an 1872 survey found Paris was not in Utah, but in Idaho. Paris is the county seat of Idaho’s Bear Lake County.
Indulge yourself and visit Paris’ historic sites. Learn of its fascinating history. Visit with its friendly folk. Take a few minutes, or spend as long as you wish. Allow yourself to learn- you’ll become enchanted by the early pioneers’ enormous contributions. They shaped our world of today!
.Sources: Wikipedia 2023, search: Paris, Idaho; “The Oldest Building in the Bear Lake Valley is Being Preserved,” written by Weldon Sleight, December 31, 2020
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.