LOCAL HISTORY

Lawn Bowling

Lawn bowling was introduced to Paris around 1884 when a club was formed, and a green was laid out where the Presbyterian Church now stands In 1893, the Paris Lawn Tennis and Bowling Club was established, and games were played across from the Presbyterian Church

Baseball

Organized baseball was played in Paris as early as 1870. In 1904, a baseball diamond was leveled off at the Agricultural Park, and bleachers and a grandstand were erected. Baseball eventually surpassed lacrosse as the most popular summer sport in Paris, leading to the formation of several boys' leagues and a men's softball league.

Hockey

Hockey gained popularity in Paris around 1885 In 1893, a team from Paris entered an intermediate league and competed against teams from Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Woodstock, Brantford, Ingersoll, and Simcoe. Between 1893 and 1902, the Paris team won the group championship six times In 1903, Paris claimed the Ontario Intermediate Championship.

Golf

Golf was first played in Paris around 1902. In 1904, a golf club was organized, and the 25 or 30 members played on a field north of Lions Park (A K A Barker’s Bush) Later, a new course was laid out on the same side of the Nith River but farther north Initially, the club house was a small shack, and it wasn't until after 1920 that the club was moved to its present (now former) location.

Throughout the years, Paris, Ontario has been home to a rich variety of sports, each contributing to the vibrant sporting culture of the town