County Crew Decorates Historic Paris Landmark for the Holidays

The Monroe County Courthouse in Paris began taking on a festive look as county maintenance workers put up holiday decorations. The photos show crew members lifting the large star into place above the entrance and stringing red lights along the courthouse's stone façade.

The work called for careful coordination, with employees using ladders and working together to position the decorations high above the entrance. Once lit, the courthouse becomes a beautiful, magical part of Paris and Monroe County's holiday tradition.

The courthouse has served as a landmark for Paris and Monroe County for more than a century. Monroe County was organized in 1831, with Paris selected as the county seat. The present courthouse is the county's third. Designed by William W. Rose and David B. Peterson, it was built in 1912-13. Its clocked dome makes it the last domed courthouse built in Missouri, according to University of Missouri Extension's history of the county's courthouses.

Paris will kick off its holiday season Thursday, December 3, with its annual Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. The courthouse will be lit that night, and the celebration will also include Santa's House and a soup supper at the Senior Center.