South Paris and Paris Hill, Maine: History and Gems in the Oxford Hills

In the rolling Oxford Hills of western Maine, the town of Paris — usually called South Paris after its main village — packs a surprising amount of history and interest into a small package. This is the birthplace of a United States Vice President, the site of America’s first gem tourmaline discovery, and home to a beloved garden and miles of quiet trails. Here is a guide to South Paris and its storied neighbor, Paris Hill.

The Town of Paris and Its Villages

Incorporated in 1793, the town of Paris sits in Oxford County, about 47 miles north of Portland in the foothills of the White Mountains. Because the post office serves the whole town under the name South Paris, that is what most people call it. In truth there are two distinct centers: South Paris, the bustling commercial village down in the valley, and Paris Hill, the elegant historic district on the heights above. The town grew on sawmills, gristmills, and a thriving 19th- and 20th-century shoe industry, and it remains the busy hub of the Oxford Hills, home to around 5,000 residents.

Paris Hill and Hannibal Hamlin

Perched above the valley, the Paris Hill Historic District — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — is one of the most beautifully preserved hilltop villages in Maine, with graceful homes and civic buildings dating from about 1800 to 1860. It was the original county seat, and it produced a remarkable roster of leaders, including four Maine governors and, most famously, Hannibal Hamlin, who was born here and served as Abraham Lincoln’s first Vice President. Hamlin’s birthplace stands beside the Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum, which occupies the town’s sturdy 1822 Old Stone Jail.

Mount Mica: America’s First Gem Tourmaline

Paris holds a special place in the history of American gems. In 1820, near town at Mount Mica, the amateur naturalists Elijah Hamlin (Hannibal’s brother) and Ezekiel Holmes came upon a clear green crystal — the first gem tourmaline ever discovered in the United States. The region sits on rich pegmatite deposits that still yield tourmaline, beryl, garnet, amethyst, and smoky quartz, and Mount Mica became one of the country’s most famous gem localities. Fittingly, tourmaline is today Maine’s official state gemstone — one of many state symbols of the Pine Tree State.

McLaughlin Garden & Homestead

A highlight of South Paris itself is the McLaughlin Garden & Homestead, a lovingly preserved four-season perennial garden set around a historic New England farmhouse. Known for its lilacs, rare plants, and peaceful paths, the garden hosts educational programs and events through the year and makes a serene, colorful stop for anyone who loves flowers and green spaces.

Outdoors in the Oxford Hills

The countryside around South Paris is made for the outdoors. Streaked Mountain, at 1,788 feet, offers a short but steep hike rewarded by wide views over the Oxford Hills, while the Cornwall Nature Preserve and nearby Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway have gentle woodland trails for walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. In town, Moore Park features a playground and a bandstand that hosts summer concerts. The White Mountains and ski areas like Sunday River and Mount Abram are all within an easy drive.

Exploring Western Maine

South Paris makes a handy base for the whole western mountains region. A short drive brings you to Bethel and the Sunday River and Grafton Notch country. Travelers heading west from central Maine often pass through the Kennebec Valley; our own town of Winslow, with its colonial-era Fort Halifax, makes a fitting stop along the way into the hills.

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