Paris Mountain State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of South Carolina, located 5 miles north of Greenville. Activities available in the 1,540-acre park consist of hiking, biking, swimming, and picnicking. The 13-acre Lake Placid uses swimming and fishing. Canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are seasonally readily available for leasing; personal boats are not allowed. Camping is allowed and camping sites range from rustic, backcountry sites to paved sites with water and electrical power hook-ups. The park's Civilian Preservation Corps (CCC) structures, consisting of the Camp Buckhorn lodge, are noted on the National Register of Historic Places.
History
Cherokee Indians previously were found on Paris Mountain, prior to European men starting to colonize North America. The first white male settled in what is now called Greenville County in 1765. He was a Scots-Irish male from Virginia called Richard Pearis. He wed a Cherokee lady and became close to the Cherokee tribe. The Indians continually offered Pearis land up until his property extended 10 square miles. Richard Pearis is the source of the name "Paris" Mountain.
Life-sized representation of Richard Pearis at the Upcountry History Museum, Greenville, South Carolina
One of the earliest uses of the mountain by the city of Greenville was as a source of water between 1890 and 1916. Various lakes and dams in the park were built in 1890 by the Greenville City Water System as part of the tank. In 1928 Table Rock Tank was taken into service, and the use of Paris Mountain as a water supply declined.
The mountain likewise had other usages. In the 1890s, a popular resort lived on Paris Mountain named Altamont Hotel. Nevertheless, the resort failed and was sold to N. J. Holmes, who in turn, founded a Bible institute on the website. The institute was first called Altamont Bible and Missionary Institute and later Holmes Bible College. The college opened its doors in 1898. The institute was later on sold to another citizen, and the structure, later on, suffered a fire in 1920.
The state park on Paris Mountain was integrated in the 1930s by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Sixteen other parks in the state of South Carolina were also developed due to the work of the CCC. The land for the park was obtained in 1935 from the city of Greenville.
The close-by liberal arts college, Furman University, founded in 1826, is located near the foot of the mountain for which the park is named.
Location
Paris Mountain lies in the Piedmont area of the United States. The mountain is a monadnock, a mountain that stands alone in an area. The word "monadnock" originates from Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. The elevation of Paris Mountain exceeds 2,000 feet. The Piedmont region where Paris Mountain is located in a raised plateau. The Piedmont, which means "foot of the mountain", covers a third of South Carolina and includes a number of other monadnocks in addition to Paris Mountain.
Plants and fauna
Paris Mountain State Park is home to around 73 various types of flora. Most of the plant life on Paris Mountain resembles plant life discovered in mountains farther north. Virginia Pine populates the greatest elevations of the mountain. While the plant life resembles that of the mountains to the north, there are exceptions. Holly appears in numerous parts of the mountain, although the plant is foreign to the region. Another plant covering the mountain in the spring is arbutus. A special kind of honeysuckle is likewise found on the mountain. This uncommon honeysuckle was first discovered by Guv John Drayton. Rosebay rhododendron likewise grows on banks along the park's rivers.
Wildlife
The animal life on Paris Mountain consists mostly of possums, foxes, and snakes. Bass, bream, and catfish likewise occupy the different park lakes. There are over 20 various species of birds inhabiting the mountain.
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 bicycle riders alike. George Hincapie, a Tour de France individual, resides in Greenville and is known to train in the park. Functions of the tracks include blazes, footbridges, and trail signs. Paris Mountain State Park has a 40-site family campground with a mix of tent and recreational vehicle websites. 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 individuals and 10 primitive cabins. Cabins are not rented independently. The 15-acre Lake Placid located in Paris Mountain State Park is the park's primary area for boating and fishing. North Lake, also called Tank 3, is a larger lake situated in the park, is closed to boaters, and is reserved for anglers. The lake is home to crappie, bream, and catfish. The visitor center, likewise known as the Park Center, lies beside Lake Placid and has maps and details about the centers.
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 visitors, and accommodates 40 people. In 2011, the primary lodge went through restorations funded by Paris Mountain Friends, the state-federal government, and regional facilities.
Driving Directions From Paris Mountain State Park To The Morgano Agency
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