In 1831, Hiram “King” Capron, the founder of Paris, built a new house at the eastern end of what was to become known as Homestead Road. By this time, Capron had purchased and cleared the land from what is now Banfield Street north to Silver Street and from the Grand River west to beyond the Junction. The homestead — minus some of its original outbuildings — still stands today and is considered one of the oldest buildings in Paris.
In the years since, streets in the area of Capron’s homestead and beyond have been named after Capron and various members of his family.
Banfield was the name of one of Hiram Capron’s sons. It was also the name of Hiram Capron’s great, great grandfather. Hiram Capron’s daughter Jane Capron, “the last living link between the village and the town”, died in 1934 at the age of 95. William Street, Charlotte Street, Helen Street and Emily Street were also named in honour of Hiram Capron’s children.
Many of the early builders of Paris were Americans. Hiram Capron was born in Vermont. Levi Boughton, Norman Hamilton and Asa Wolverton were born in New York State. These men came to Paris decades before Confederation in Canada, and the United States was still a young country. It is not surprising that many Paris street names sound like they could be from an American town.
Hiram Capron, in particular, was said to have been a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson.
George Washington (1789–1797) was the first US president. Washington Street is in Paris’ south end and runs north/south from King Edward Street to Old Mill Street/Mile Hill Road.
John Adams (1797–1801) was the second US president. Adams Street is in Paris’ Junction neighbourhood and runs north/south from Silver Street to Spruce Street.
Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) was the third US president. Jefferson Street is in Paris’ Junction neighbourhood and runs north/south from Silver Street to Spruce Street.
Benjamin Franklin was an influential Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Franklin Street is also in the Paris Junction neighbourhood and runs north/south from Silver Street to Spruce Street.
Reference: At the Forks of the Grand: 20 Historical Essays on Paris, Ontario by Donald A. Smith