Paris Mountain State Park
Paris Mountain State Park | |
---|---|
Location | 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, South Carolina[1] |
Coordinates | 34°55′32″N 82°21′56″W / 34.92556°N 82.36556°W |
Area | 1,540 acres (6 km2) [1] |
Elevation | 2,000 feet (609.6 m) |
Created | 1935[2] |
Camp sites | 39 standard sites, 5 primitive sites[1] |
Hiking trails | Brissy Ridge Loop, Sulphur Springs Loop, Fire Tower Trail, Kanuga Trail,Turtle Trail, Lake Placid Trail, North Lake Trail[3] |
Other information | 14 miles (23 km) of hiking trails[1] |
Paris Mountain State Park Historic District | |
Area | 1,275 acres (516.0 ha) |
Built | 1936 |
Built by | |
NRHP reference No. | 98000416[4] |
Added to NRHP | April 30, 1998 |
Paris Mountain State Park is a
History
One of the earliest uses of the mountain by the city of Greenville was as a source of water between 1890 and 1916. Numerous lakes and dams in the park were built in 1890 by the Greenville City Water System as part of the reservoir.[6] In 1928 Table Rock Reservoir was put into service, and the use of Paris Mountain as a water supply declined.[5]
The mountain also had other uses. In the 1890s, a popular resort resided on Paris Mountain named Altamont Hotel. However, the resort failed and was sold to N. J. Holmes, who in turn, founded a Bible institute on the site.[5] The institute was first known as Altamont Bible and Missionary Institute and later as Holmes Bible College. The college opened its doors in 1898.[14] The institute was later sold to another citizen, and the building later suffered a fire in 1920.[5]
The state park on Paris Mountain was built in the 1930s by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).[2][10] Sixteen other parks in the state of South Carolina were also created due to the work of the CCC.[10] The land for the park was acquired in 1935 from the city of Greenville.[6]
The nearby liberal arts college, Furman University, founded in 1826, is located near the foot of the mountain for which the park is named.[14][15]
Geography
Paris Mountain lies in the
Flora and fauna
- Plant life
Paris Mountain State Park is home to around 73 different types of flora. The majority of the plant life on Paris Mountain is similar to plant life found on mountains farther north. Virginia Pine populates the highest elevations of the mountain.[16] While the plant life resembles that of the mountains to the north, there are exceptions. Holly 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 was first discovered by Governor John Drayton.[5] Rosebay rhododendron also grows on banks along the park's rivers.[16]
- Wild life
The animal life on Paris Mountain consists mostly of possums, foxes, and snakes.[5] Bass, bream, and catfish also populate the different park lakes.[16] There are over 20 different species of birds inhabiting the mountain.[16]
- Geology
Mica, graphite and iron ore deposits have all been found on Paris Mountain.[5]
Recreation
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.[6] George Hincapie, a Tour de France participant, lives in Greenville and is known to train in the park.[18] Features to the trails include blazes, foot bridges, and trail signs.[16] Paris Mountain State Park has a 40 site family campground with a mix of tent and RV sites. Camp Buckhorn is a group facility located on Buckhorn Lake at the north end of the park and consists of a lodge with a dining/meeting room for 75 people and 10 primitive cabins. Cabins are not rented separately.[19] The 15-acre Lake Placid located in Paris Mountain State Park is the park's main spot for boating and fishing.[7] North Lake, also known as Reservoir 3, is larger lake located in the park, is closed to boaters and reserved for fishermen. The lake is home to crappie, bream, and catfish.[16] The visitor center, also known as the Park Center, is located next to Lake Placid and has maps and information about facilities.
- Camp Buckhorn
Camp Buckhorn was built by the CCC in 1936-1937 as a place for groups. It has a lodge, and 10 cabins for overnight guests. and[20] accommodates 40 people.[8] In 2011, the main lodge underwent renovations funded by Paris Mountain Friends, the state government, and local establishments.[20]
- Paris Mountain Downhill Mountain Biking Race
The Paris Mountain Downhill Mountain Bike Race is part of the South Carolina Gravity Championships and acts as a qualifier to the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships.[21] The 2012 national championships will take place at Beech Mountain, North Carolina.[22][needs update] Limited to 99 riders, the course runs from Sulphur Springs trail around the top of the mountain to the park's archery range.[22]
See also
- List of U.S. state parks
References
- ^ a b c d e "South Carolina's Paris Mountain State Park" (PDF). Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Paris Mountain State Park". South Carolina State Parks. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "South Carolina Parks - South Carolina Parks Official Site". southcarolinaparks.com.
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Ebaugh, Laura (1970). Bridging the Gap to Greenville. Greenville County Events – S. C. Tricentennial. pp. 18–21.
- ^ a b c d "Welcome to Paris Mountain". South Carolina State Park Service. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "Paris Mountain State Park". South Carolina State Parks. South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "Paris Mountain State Park". South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ Hester, Albert; Linda Lake (May 25, 1997). "Paris Mountain State Park Historic District" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Paris Mountain State Park Historic District, Greenville County (2401 State Park Rd., Greenville vicinity)". National Register Properties in South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ "SCDAH National Register Properties in South Carolina". August 1, 2008.
- ^ ISBN 0-403-09906-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-87152-343-4.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ ISBN 0-89781-193-3.
- ^ "History of Furman". Because Furman Matters. Furman University. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 0-9648584-2-8.
- ^ "Upstate Monadnock". Geocaching. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "Hincapie challenge". Paris Mt. State Park Friends. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "Paris Mountain State Park, Greenville, SC". The official reunions site of South Carolina's state parks. South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ a b Foley, Mike. "Camp Buckhorn lodge gets a facelift". GreenvilleOnline.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "Welcome to Paris Mountain Downhill". Paris Mountain Downhill Race. parismountaindownhill.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ a b Foley, Mike. "Paris Mountain bike race resumes after one-year hiatus". GreenvilleOnline.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.