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I think I solved a mystery and picked up a decent photo along the way on my trip to Mark Twain Lake a few weeks ago. Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri and you can see some shots from there by clicking here and following the links.

To begin with, the pictured courthouse is located in Paris, Missouri which is only 17 miles from Twain's birthplace in Florida (Missouri). Confusing I know. Twain made several less then pleasing statements about Paris. I think historians thought he was talking about Paris, France. Anyway that is my story. Someone has to stick up for him since he is not around to defend himself. Following are some of those remarks:
...anywhere is better than Paris. Paris the cold, Paris the drizzly, Paris the rainy, Paris the damnable. More than a hundred years ago somebody asked Quin, "Did you ever see such a winter in all your life before?" "Yes," said he, "Last summer." I judge he spent his summer in Paris. Let us change the proverb; Let us say all bad Americans go to Paris when they die. No, let us not say it for this adds a new horror to Immortality. - letter to Lucius Fairchild, 28 April 1880, reprinted in Mark Twain, The Letter Writer

The objects of which Paris folks are fond--literature, art, medicine and adultery. - speech at the Stanley Club in Paris, ca. April 1879

Trivial Americans go to Paris when they die. - Notebook #18, Feb.- Sept. 1879

I hope the fine folks in Paris, Missouri don't get a whiff of this post but I have to call it like I see it. You have to admit they have a fine looking courthouse. Now if their lawmakers don't end up as red-faced as the courthouse, they will be OK.