User talk:WGENGLISH/Paris Mountain State Park sandbox
"Sandbox for Paris Mountain State Park"
At the foot of the mountain is located Furman University.[1]
| Bath house at Paris Mountain State Park | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Location | 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, S.C. 29609[2] |
| Coordinates | 34°55′N 82°21′W / 34.917°N 82.350°W |
| Area | 1540 acres [2] |
| Governing body | South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism |
History
[edit]Cherokee Indians once dwelled on Paris Mountain before European men began to colonize North America.[3] The first white man settled in what is now known as Greenville County in 1765. He was an Irishman from Virginia named Richard Pearis. He married a Cherokee woman and became close to the tribe. The Cherokee continually gifted Pearis with land until he possessed 10 miles square some of which contained Paris Mountain.[4]The name of “Paris” mountain came from the pre-Revolutionary man Richard Pearis. In 1775 a letter from the superintendent of Indian affairs Jonathan Stuart was written to the Cherokee Indians chastening the Indians for selling their lands to white men; in one part of the letter Stuart writes, “You are constantly listening to Richard Pearis, who cheats you of your lands.”[5] A legend surrounding the mountain speaks of the first white men to visit the mountain. The chief tried to protect the mountain and when he grew old, he passed on the responsibility to his daughter and her husband. The husband failed and ended up selling the mountain; in anger, the daughter of the chief killed her husband.[3]
One of the earliest uses of the mountain by the city of Greenville was as a watershed between 1890 and 1916. Newer reservoirs were put into service near Greenville in 1928 (Table Rock Reservoir) and the use of Paris Mountain for a water supply declined.[3] The mountain also had other uses. In the 1890’s a popular resort resided on Paris Mountain named Altamont Hotel. However the resort failed and was sold to Mr. N.J. Holmes who in turn founded a Bible institute on the site.[3] The institute was first known as Altamont Bible and Missionary Institute and later as Holmes Bible College. The college opened its doors in 1898.[1] The institute was later sold to another citizen and the building eventually suffered from a fire in 1920.[3]
Paris Mountain State Park was built in the 1930 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.[6] The land for the park was acquired in 1935 from the city of Greenville.[7] The state park on Paris Mountain covers an area of five acres. The lakes in the park were built in 1890 by the Greenville City Water System when the mountain was utilized as a reservoir.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). The elevation of the mountain exceeds 2000 feet.[8]
Flora and Fauna
[edit]- Plant Life
Paris Mountain is home to around 73 different types of flora.[8] While the majority of the plant life on Paris Mountain is similar to plant life found on mountains farther north, there are many exceptions. Virginia Pine populates the highest elevations of the mountain.[8] Holly, one of the exceptions, is evident on many parts of the mountain even though the plant is not native to the region. Another plant covering the mountain in the springtime is arbutus. A special type of honeysuckle is also found on the mountain. This unusual honeysuckle type was first discovered by Governor John Drayton.[3] Rosebay Rhododendron also grows on many banks on the park's rivers.[8]
- Wild Life
The animal life on Paris mountain is mostly comprised of, though not limited to, possums, foxes, and snakes[3] . Bass and crappie also populate the lakes.[9]
- Geology
Mica, graphite and iron ore deposits have all been found on Paris Mountain.[3]
Recreation
[edit]Paris Mountain State Park is a center of activity for the city of Greenville. The park is host to nine trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike.[7] The park is also home to several campsites. Camp Buckhorn is a well known campsite located on Buckhorn Lake at the north end of the park. Camp Buckhorn is listed on the the National Register of Historic Places.[7] Lake Placid is a 15 acre lake located in Paris Mountain State Park. The park is the center of boating and fishing alike for the park visitors. Boating includes kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats.[9] Mountain lake is a larger lake located in the park that is closed to boaters. The lake is home to crappie, bream, and catfish.[8] Other activities to participate in at the park include archery at the range, picnicking, biking, or just simple hiking.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Bainbridge, Nancy Vance Ashmore ; photo research by Judith Gatlin (1986). Greenville : woven from the past : an illustrated history (1st ed. ed.). Northridge, Calif.: Windsor Publications. pp. 183, 269. ISBN 0-89781-193-3.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b ""South Carolina's Paris Mountain State Park"" (PDF). Retrieved 11/03/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h Ebaugh, Laura (1970). Bridging the Gap to Greenville. Greenville County Events – S. C. Tricentennial. pp. 18–21.
- ^ Encyclopedia of South Carolina. New York, N.Y.: Somerset Publishers. 1993. p. 220. ISBN 0-403-09906-4.
- ^ Cannon, James M. Richardson ; with new index by Margaret H. (1980). History of Greenville County, South Carolina : narrative and biographical. Spartanburg, S.C.: Reprint Co. p. 33. ISBN 0-87152-343-4.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Paris Mountain State Park". South Carolina State Parks. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ a b c ""Welcome to Paris Mountain"". Word Press. Retrieved 11/03/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c d e f Giffen, Morrison (1997). South Carolina : a guide to backcountry travel & adventure. Asheville, NC: Out There Press. pp. 72–75. ISBN 0-9648584-2-8.
- ^ a b "Paris Mountain State Park". South Carolina State Parks. South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved 3 November 2011.