Regional Information

Located mid-way between Nashville and Memphis, Paris is the Southern Gateway to the Land-Between-the-Lakes National Outdoor Area. Paris is the home of the “World’s Biggest Fish Fry”, which is held the last full week of April each year to focus attention on Kentucky Lake and the many recreational and tourist facilities it has to offer. Many retirees find Paris a great place to retire.

Paris is a growing city with a four-phased economy of agriculture, tourism, industry and retail trade. It is a livestock center where emphasis is placed on beef, hogs and dairy production. The primary agricultural products are corn, soybeans, wheat and tobacco. Industry is a major factor in the growth of Paris. Principal industrial products are: extruded molded rubber, school laboratory furniture, molded plastics, brakes, manufactured homes, small electric motors and compressors for refrigeration equipment.

Henry County Medical Center

Henry County Medical Center is the largest employer in the county and the medical hub for this area. Located in Paris, TN, HCMC is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 7 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution.

Downtown Paris

Website: Visit Downtown Paris

If you are in the mood for some unique shopping, you will want to head to downtown Paris for one of West Tennessee’s most gorgeous downtown squares. In the mid-1990s, the downtown area underwent major renovations to bring the square back to its original 1920s-era style. This was certainly accomplished as now the downtown area is bustling with business, particularly retail. Visit one of the 40 merchants downtown for an experience to remember!

Education

Our region is rich with Educational experiences with a variety of options for furthering education, developing skills and preparing for today’s Workforce. The focus for our community is centered around two school systems, the Henry County School System and the Paris Special School District. From Nationally acclaimed Performing Arts to State Champion Athletics, both school systems offer high quality extracurricular and athletic programs.

Recreation

Paris, Henry County and Kentucky Lake offer endless ways to relax and have fun. Kentucky Lake boasts 2,000 miles of shoreline. Vacationers and residents enjoy golfing, picnicking, swimming, boating, hunting and fishing. Camping and hiking facilities are numerous, as well as lodging from cabins to hotels.

Paris City Parks

Paris Parks and Recreation Department’s goal is to provide the best leisure activities and services to you! We operate eight parks incorporating a junior Olympic pool with 3 meter spring board, one sand volleyball court, 2 picnic pavilions for large gatherings, 4 soccer fields, 5 basketball courts, 7 ball fields, 10 lighted tennis courts. Each park has playground facilities and picnic tables. One centrally located Ogburn Park is the host for our summer activities programs, housing tennis, paddle ball, table tennis, croquet, volleyball, horseshoes and shuffleboard equipment.

Hunting

Website: TWRA

If hunting is your sport, you’re in luck. The area abounds with deer, turkey, squirrel, quail, rabbits, wood duck, raccoon, ducks and geese. Waterfowl hunting is especially big since Kentucky Lake is on a major migration flyway, but ample deer and turkey populations make these seasons popular also. Hunting season lengths vary from year to year in Tennessee, but opening dates are firm. Just call for information on license fees and dates.

Fishing

Fishing is an important sport here, and Paris hosts several fishing tournaments each year. Over 100 species of fish in the lake include crappie, bass, catfish, sauger, walleye, bluegill and stripes. Together, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley form the largest body of water between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. A free-flowing canal connects the lakes near the dams at Grand Rivers.

These lakes produce some of the best bass fishing in the United States. In April, Crappie are legendary on Kentucky Lake. These delicious-tasting fish reside in the spring in shallow waters of bays and in brush piles. Bluegill are typically active along the banks during May. Catfish are also very common in the lakes with catches coming in year round.

Numerous marinas, boat launching ramps and accommodations are located throughout the Kentucky Lake Area in Henry County. There’s something for every fisherman from the expert angler with professional gear, to the kid on the bank with a cane pole. The World Record Catfish was caught in Kentucky Lake in 1971, weighing in at an unbelievable 115 pounds! Come on down and experience a fishing trip you’ll never forget!

State and National Parks

Website: Fish Kentucky Lake

Paris Landing State Resort Park

Paris Landing State Park is named for a steamboat and freight landing on the Tennessee River dating back to the mid 1800s. The 841-acre Paris Landing Park is situated on the western shore of what is now Kentucky Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The park is located 16 miles northeast of Paris, on U.S. Highway 79.

Fort Donelson National Military Park

Website: Fort Donelson

Located in Dover, Tennessee, Fort Donelson interprets a crucial Civil War battle in which a general names U.S. Grant first gained fame. Stand at the cannon emplacements on the Cumberland River Bluff and imagine the bombardment of gunboats below. Find out why the Federals threw away their coats and blankets when a snowstorm was coming.

Land Between The Lakes

Website: LBL

We invite you to rediscover the simple pleasures of playing in the outdoors at USDA Forest Service Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Located in Western Kentucky and Tennessee, LBL offers 170,000 acres of wildlife, history, and outdoor recreation opportunities, wrapped by 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline.

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

Website: TNWR

Located on and around Kentucky Lake in Northwest Tennessee, the refuge’s three units, Big Sandy, Duck River, and Busseltown, stretch for 65 miles along the Tennessee River. Established in 1945, the refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and was created as an area for migratory birds.

The Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge provides a major wintering area for migrating waterfowl. Currently the refuge habitats include agricultural crops; vegetated wetlands, mudflats, shrub/scrub areas and forest lands. The resulting combination of agricultural grains, natural foods and protected areas sustains waterfowl through the winter months.

In addition to being a home to wildlife, the refuge offers many recreational opportunities such as: hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. The refuge offers two hiking trails, four wildlife observation decks, multiple boat ramps and fishing decks. The refuge also serves as the perfect outdoor classroom for environmental education and interpretation activities. Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge is open during daylight hours.

Agriculture

“Diversified” is the word that describes agriculture in Henry County, Tennessee. There are farms in the county that produce almost any agriculture product. Corn, soybeans, wheat and tobacco are the major crops but commercial fruits and vegetables are produced on a few farms. Dairy, beef and swine operations comprise the bulk of animal industries but poultry and horse farms are here as well. Forestry is another important part of our farm economy.

Forty-eight percent of the county’s landmass is considered farmland. The county is roughly equally divided into a western watershed, which eventually drains into the Mississippi River, and an eastern watershed, which drains into the Tennessee River. Topography of the western part of the county is nearly level, undulating or rolling while that of the eastern part is hillier. Excellent agricultural soils can be found in all parts of the county, however they are more abundant on the western side.

Henry County farmers are proud of the distinction of having a higher percentage of crops using no-till planting techniques than any other in the state. No-till is the rule instead of the exception in this county. A tradition of good land stewardship runs deep here.

Information provided by Paris, TN Chamber | paristnchamber.com