New Paris is a small rural community
There is no Eiffel Tower or Louvre in New Paris, an unincorporated area 6 miles south of Goshen that sprouts out alongside Indiana State Road 15. There is, however, a close-knit sense of community in this mostly rural but rapidly growing area. “We go out to eat and it’s easy to sit and chat with people,” says Billy Hesketh, a recent newcomer who serves as pastor at New Paris Church of the Brethren. “It has that feel that you’re welcome. It’s nice. It’s a welcoming community.”
Housing styles match different eras of development
Farmhouses from the turn of the 20th century and mid-century ranches represent the first two major modern eras of growth in New Paris. These homes can range between $100,000 and $250,000. They’re now joined by 21st-century subdivisions of contemporary custom ranches and two-story houses built along winding suburban-style streets and cul-de-sacs. Houses in New Paris’ newest subdivisions range from around $250,000 to around $325,000.
Fairfield schools fueling area growth
New Paris’ growth is largely fueled by the Fairfield Community School District. “The school district is a big draw, without question,” Hesketh says. Fairfield Junior/Senior High School in nearby Benton was named the top high school in Elkhart County and No. 40 in all of Indiana by U.S. News and World Report. It receives a B-rating on Niche. New Paris Elementary, which opened in 2005 in response to the area’s growth, serves kindergarten through sixth grade. New Paris Elementary earns a B-plus from Niche.
Indiana 15 is the backbone
Indiana 15 is the primary byway for New Paris residents, leading to the amenities and factories on Goshen’s southeast side. The highway also allows New Paris to maintain a surprising amount of industry for its size, including Smoker Craft, a major aluminum boat manufacturer on the neighborhood’s north side. On the south side, World Missionary Press prints and distributes Christian literature in 351 different languages.
New Paris dining options are limited but popular
There are two local dining institutions in New Paris’ downtown area – Old Time Pizza, and Landmark Bar and Grille. Decades-old light-up signs hanging from each business offer proof that locals have been coming to both for a very long time. Antojitos Mixx, a Mexican restaurant that shares space with the Parmore Golf Course clubhouse, is a popular new addition to the neighborhood, serving breakfast and bucking the national Taco Tuesday trend with its $2 Taco Wednesdays. A Dollar General serves basic household needs. Aldi and a Walmart Supercenter, both on Goshen’s southeast side, are the closest supermarkets.
From a par-3 to park space
Squeezed between Indiana 15 and the railroad tracks, Parmore is a 9-hole, par-3 course with a driving range. "It's a nice way to kill an hour," Hesketh says. Sunnyside Park in the neighborhood features a pond, basketball court, picnic area and indoor pavilion. Nearby River Preserve County Park stretches along the Elkhart River for 4 miles, connecting New Paris with Benton. River Preserve is a popular spot for area hikers, canoeists, kayakers, birders and anglers. The park is also home to DeFries Gardens, a preserved 1880s home and gardens that serve as a popular local wedding venue.
Summer events and stock car racing draw regional crowds
Downtown New Paris does its own take on First Fridays during the summer months, featuring food vendors, live music and a tractor pull right through the heart of town. Located about halfway between New Paris and Benton, the New Paris Speedway is arguably the biggest reason people from the greater Michiana region know of New Paris. The quarter-mile paved track has weekly stock car racing from April-October, including multiple “Night of Destruction” events. In this racing version of a Royal Rumble, the track is intentionally slicked down to create chaos until the last car is standing.
