Paris Mountain State Park
Encyclopedia
Paris Mountain State Park is located five miles north of Greenville, South Carolina
. The liberal arts college, Furman University
, founded in 1826, is also located near the foot of the mountain. Activities available in the 1540 acres (6 km²) park include hiking
, biking, swimming and picnicking. The 15 acres (60,703 m²) Lake Placid offers opportunities for swimming as well as fishing
. Canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are seasonally available for rental, although private boats are not permitted. Camping
is allowed, and campsites range from rustic back country sites to paved sites with water and electricity hook-ups. The park's Civilian Conservation Corps structures, including the Camp Buckhorn lodge, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Primitive cabins are also available for rental; they offer group space for meeting, sleeping, and cooking.
. He married a Cherokee woman and became close to the Cherokee tribe. The Indians continually gifted Pearis with land until he possessed 10 miles square of property. Richard Pearis is responsible for the name “Paris” mountain. 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.” Some of the land Richard Pearis possessed contained the mountain known today as Paris Mountain. Therefore the name "Paris" is a construed form of Pearis. A legend surrounding the mountain speaks of the first white men to visit the mountain. The chief of the indwelling Cherokee tribe tried to protect the mountain, and when he grew old, he passed on the responsibility to his daughter and her husband. The husband failed in this task and sold the mountain; in anger, the daughter of the chief killed her husband.
One of the earliest uses of the mountain by the city of Greenville was as a watershed 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 reservior. Newer reservoirs were put into service near Greenville in 1928 (Table Rock Reservoir) and the use of Paris Mountain as a water supply declined. 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. The institute was first known as Altamont Bible and Missionary Institute and later as Holmes Bible College. The college opened its doors in 1898. The institute was later sold to another citizen and the building eventually suffered from a fire in 1920.
The state park on Paris Mountain was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps
during the Great Depression. Sixteen other parks in the state of South Carolina were also created due to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The land for the park was acquired in 1935 from the city of Greenville.
region of the United States. The mountain is known as a monadnock. A monadnock is a mountain that stands alone in an area. The word monadnock comes from Mount Monadnock
located in New Hampshire. The elevation of Paris Mountain exceeds 2000 feet. The Piedmont region Paris Mountain sits on is a raised plateau. The Piedmont, which means "foot of the mountain", covers a third of South Carolina and contains several other monadnocks in addition to Paris Mountain.
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. 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
. Rosebay rhododendron also grows on banks along the park's rivers.
The animal life on Paris mountain consists mostly of possums, foxes, and snakes. Also bass, bream, and catfish populate the different park lakes. There are over 20 different species of birds inhabiting the mountain.
Mica
, graphite
and iron
ore deposits have all been found on Paris Mountain.
The 15 acre Lake Placid located in Paris Mountain State Park is the center of boating and fishing alike for the park visitors. Mountain lake is a larger lake located in the park that is closed to boaters and reserved for fishermen. The lake is home to crappie, bream, and catfish. Other activities to participate in at the park include archery at the range and picnicking.
An office is located within the park with maps and information; restrooms, numerous water fountains, and a phone are also situated throughout the park. Paris Mountain State Park now charges $2.25 for adults $1.25 for S.C. senior citizens. Fifteen and under enter the park free.
Camp Buckhorn was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1936-1937 as a place for lodging and camping. The camp includes a lodge, a staff cabin, and several cabins for campers. The camp can accommodate forty-two people. The main lodge is currently undergoing renovations funded by Paris Mountain Friends, the state government, and other local establishments.
The Paris Mountain Downhill Mountain Bike Race is a part of the South Carolina Gravity Championships; it acts as a qualifier to the 2012 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships. The national championships take place at Beech Mountain, N.C in 2012. A total of ninety-nine riders is the limit on the race. The course runs from Sulphur Springs trail around the top of the mountain to the parks archery range. This year the event takes place on Sunday November 13, 2011.
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. The liberal arts college, Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
, founded in 1826, is also located near the foot of the mountain. Activities available in the 1540 acres (6 km²) park include hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, biking, swimming and picnicking. The 15 acres (60,703 m²) Lake Placid offers opportunities for swimming as well as fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. Canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are seasonally available for rental, although private boats are not permitted. Camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
is allowed, and campsites range from rustic back country sites to paved sites with water and electricity hook-ups. The park's Civilian Conservation Corps structures, including the Camp Buckhorn lodge, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Primitive cabins are also available for rental; they offer group space for meeting, sleeping, and cooking.
History
Cherokee Indians once dwelled on Paris Mountain before European men began to colonize North America. The first white man settled in what is now known as Greenville County in 1765. He was an Irishman from Virginia named Richard PearisRichard Pearis
Richard Pearis was an Indian trader, a pioneer settler of Upstate South Carolina, and a Loyalist officer during the American Revolution....
. He married a Cherokee woman and became close to the Cherokee tribe. The Indians continually gifted Pearis with land until he possessed 10 miles square of property. Richard Pearis is responsible for the name “Paris” mountain. 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.” Some of the land Richard Pearis possessed contained the mountain known today as Paris Mountain. Therefore the name "Paris" is a construed form of Pearis. A legend surrounding the mountain speaks of the first white men to visit the mountain. The chief of the indwelling Cherokee tribe tried to protect the mountain, and when he grew old, he passed on the responsibility to his daughter and her husband. The husband failed in this task and sold the mountain; in anger, the daughter of the chief killed her husband.
The state park on Paris Mountain was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
during the Great Depression. Sixteen other parks in the state of South Carolina were also created due to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The land for the park was acquired in 1935 from the city of Greenville.
Geography
Paris Mountain lies in the PiedmontPiedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
region of the United States. The mountain is known as a monadnock. A monadnock is a mountain that stands alone in an area. The word monadnock comes from Mount Monadnock
Mount Monadnock
Mount Monadnock, or Grand Monadnock, is the most prominent New England mountain peak south of the White Mountains and east of the Massachusetts Berkshires, and is the highest point in Cheshire County, New Hampshire...
located in New Hampshire. The elevation of Paris Mountain exceeds 2000 feet. The Piedmont region Paris Mountain sits on is a raised plateau. The Piedmont, which means "foot of the mountain", covers a third of South Carolina and contains several other monadnocks in addition to Paris Mountain.
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. While the plant life resembles that of the mountains to the north, there are exceptions. Holly
Holly
Ilex) is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones world wide....
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
Arbutus
Arbutus is a genus of at least 14 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to warm temperate regions of the Mediterranean, western Europe, and North America.-Description:...
. A special type of honeysuckle is also found on the mountain. This unusual honeysuckle was first discovered by Governor John Drayton
John Drayton
John Drayton was the 40th Governor of South Carolina on two non-consecutive occasions from 1800 to 1802 and 1808 to 1810, and was later a United States federal judge.-Early life and career:...
. Rosebay rhododendron also grows on banks along the park's rivers.
- Wild Life
The animal life on Paris mountain consists mostly of possums, foxes, and snakes. Also bass, bream, and catfish populate the different park lakes. There are over 20 different species of birds inhabiting the mountain.
- Geology
Mica
Mica
The mica group of sheet silicate minerals includes several closely related materials having highly perfect basal cleavage. All are monoclinic, with a tendency towards pseudohexagonal crystals, and are similar in chemical composition...
, graphite
Graphite
The mineral graphite is one of the allotropes of carbon. It was named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Ancient Greek γράφω , "to draw/write", for its use in pencils, where it is commonly called lead . Unlike diamond , graphite is an electrical conductor, a semimetal...
and iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
ore deposits have all been found on Paris 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 bikers alike. George Hincapie, a Tour De France participant, is a native to Greenville and known to practice in the park. Several features to the trails include blazes, foot bridges, and trail signs. Paris Mountain State Park is home to several campsites. Camp Buckhorn is a well known campsite located on Buckhorn Lake at the north end of the park.The 15 acre Lake Placid located in Paris Mountain State Park is the center of boating and fishing alike for the park visitors. Mountain lake is a larger lake located in the park that is closed to boaters and reserved for fishermen. The lake is home to crappie, bream, and catfish. Other activities to participate in at the park include archery at the range and picnicking.
An office is located within the park with maps and information; restrooms, numerous water fountains, and a phone are also situated throughout the park. Paris Mountain State Park now charges $2.25 for adults $1.25 for S.C. senior citizens. Fifteen and under enter the park free.
- Camp Buckhorn
Camp Buckhorn was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1936-1937 as a place for lodging and camping. The camp includes a lodge, a staff cabin, and several cabins for campers. The camp can accommodate forty-two people. The main lodge is currently undergoing renovations funded by Paris Mountain Friends, the state government, and other local establishments.
- Paris Mountain Downhill Mountain Biking Race
The Paris Mountain Downhill Mountain Bike Race is a part of the South Carolina Gravity Championships; it acts as a qualifier to the 2012 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships. The national championships take place at Beech Mountain, N.C in 2012. A total of ninety-nine riders is the limit on the race. The course runs from Sulphur Springs trail around the top of the mountain to the parks archery range. This year the event takes place on Sunday November 13, 2011.