Roxton, an incorporated town of 650 fifteen miles southwest of Paris, has a long and colorful history. First located on a hill a mile east of its present site, it moved to take advantage of the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1887 and soon became a booming agricultural center, specializing in cotton then and grain today. The town is situated among rolling hills and bounded by two creeks, one of which is spanned by a picturesque triple arched, masonry railroad trestle, the only one in Texas. It supports three parks and an elaborate sports center: Landers Park; Veterans’ Memorial Park, which celebrates the men and women of Roxton who have served and died for their country; Rock Falls Park, situated on an intriguing falls and rock formation on Cane Creek where generations of families have picnicked; and the Terrell Sports Complex. Roxton boasts three excellent museums: the Chaparral Rails to Trails Museum, which depicts the history of Roxton in artifacts and pictures, the Bramlett Taxidermy Sudio, and the singular City Drug Store Museum, which recreates in minute detail a pharmacy of the 1930’s and ’40’s and displays thousands and thousands of pharmaceutical items, merchandise, advertising pieces, a marble soda fountain, and an early 20th century doctors office with an extensive research library of early medical books. Tours are available to all museums upon request. Boasting an excellent, recognized school system, a vibrant Roxton sponsors annual events including a Fourth of July parade and fireworks, an city-wide garage sale, a Christmas Parade, a City Christmas Tree Lighting, the spring Hawg Waller Festival, and Roxton Saturday Night, when the town remakes itself into a busy Saturday in the ‘30’s when farm folks flocked to its many businesses.
Today, while Roxton is comfortable with all the amenities of small-town Texas living, it is not fixated on its past. It has a well appointed community center, the fine Dr. Lura Gregory Memorial Library, civic organizations, the nationally known KBA sports equipment company, a bed and breakfast, the Commercial Bank of Texas, the Valley Feed Mill, cafes, groceries, and service stations. Roxton is indeed “Home Town, U.S.A.”
For further information, call (903) 346-3535.
14.4 miles
The NE Texas Trail Coalition in partnership with the Chaparral and Rail to Trails Inc. has received a TxDOT and TAP and TASA grant. Phase I is clearing, grading, rehabbing and is currently under construction. The scope of work is to clear and grade the corridor, rehab all the Railroad bridges and install handrails on them, install safety bollards and regulatory signage. As of December 18, 2017, the TxDOT TAP Phase I Project has begun for the Chaparral Trail section and it is expected completion of Phase I will be in 2019.
The second grant for Texas Parks and Wildlife, Phase II, will begin in March, 2018 with construction estimated to begin in September 2019. Phase II will be via the TxDOT TASA grant that will be used to put a surface on that corridor. Phase II is expected to be completed by 2020.
Good surface condition, gravel and grass. Suitable for mountain and hybrid biking and hiking. Some water holes after rains. The Roxton to Paris segment currently ends at CR 22500. (Note: The Roxton to Paris trail segment is to be completed by 2019.)
From Roxton’s Trail Section to Paris’ Trail Section, the rail banked section of the Chaparral corridor currently ends at CR 22500. An ALTERNATE ROUTE is to turn right onto CR and 22500 and proceed East until it dead ends into FM 137. Then, turn left on FM 137 and proceed over Loop 286 on FM 137. 137th becomes 19th SW St. after the crossover on Loop 286. Proceed on 19th SW St. to Sherman St. Turn right on Sherman and proceed East. Heritage Park and Farmers Market will be on your left. Proceed to South Main St. Turn right on South Main and proceed South to Hearn St. Turn left on Hearn and proceed East on Hearn crossing Church St. to 3rd SW St. Turn left on 3rd SW St. and at the intersection of Jackson St. At this point, you enter the NETT’s Paris section.
Downtown Roxton at the Chaparral Rails to Trails Museum.
Hiking; Biking; Equestrian
Parking in downtown Roxton at the Chaparral Rails to Trails Museum; Restroom in museum, however currently only open the first Saturday of each month. As the trail usage increases, it is anticipated that the museum would be open more frequently.
The public is asked to contact the person listed for each trail town to make reservations for camping. A complete list of campsites and contact information is posted on the NETT Coalition website.
Camping for the city of Roxton:
Roxton (City of Roxton): Contact Person – Janet Wheeler (903) 346.3535
Camping for the Paris (City of Paris) – Contact information for campsite reservations is as follows:
City of Paris Parks Department: (903) 784.9289 or (903) 784.9266.
Reservations should be made so that arrangements may be made to open the restrooms.
No campfires are permitted within Paris city limits.
Lamar County Chamber of Commerce
Emergency/ Medical – 9-1-1
Lamar County Sheriff’s Department – (903) 737-2400
Paris Police Department – (903) 784-6688
• Roxton House B&B
• Big Al’s Café
• Roxton Café
• Nooks and Granny’s
• Sulphur River
• City Drug Store Museum
• Rock Falls Park
• Veterans Memorial Park
• Chaparral Museum
• Dr. Lura Gregory Memorial Library
• Hawg Waller Festival
• Roxton Saturday Night Festival
• City-wide Garage Sale
• Christmas Tree Lighting
• Historic Railroad Trestle – triple arch masonry one of two in Texas
• Fossil and arrow hunting on Sulphur River
• Rock Falls Park
| [awesome-weather location=”Roxton, TX” units=”F” size=”tall” override_title=”Roxton, TX” forecast_days=3 hide_stats=false background=0] | [awesome-weather location=”Paris, TX” units=”F” size=”tall” override_title=”Paris, TX” forecast_days=3 hide_stats=false background=0] |
