Paris Mountain State Park

One of the closest state parks to me is Paris Mountain State Park. When I was a student at Furman University, I used to go here to study. I found nature and the outdoors so peaceful. I think it is also the state park that we go to most often because it is close, and we volunteer in the park. We volunteer with the school program and lead second graders on a nature hike.

 

Paris Mountain State Park is located in Greenville, South Carolina. The park is 1540 acres and includes two lakes, a campground, a group facility called Camp Buckhorn, and many hiking trails. Many of the structures were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The lodge at Camp Buckhorn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

In1765, Richard Pearis settled in Greenville County and married a Cherokee woman. He was given land by the Indians. Paris Mountain is named after him.

 

From 1890 to 1916, the water from Paris Mountain was the water source for the city of Greenville. In 1928, the Table Rock Reservoir became the city’s water source and no longer needed Paris Mountain.

 

There was a popular resort on Paris Mountain in 1890 called the Altamont Hotel. The resort failed and later became the Altamont Bible and Missionary Institute and eventually became Holmes Bible College. The building caught on fire in 1920.

 

The state park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s when the land was bought from the city of Greenville in 1935.

 

The mountain is a monadnock and its elevation exceeds 2000 feet.

 

There are more than 73 different types of flora in the park. Possums, foxes, snakes, bass, bream, and catfish can be found in the park. I have also seen a lot of beaver activity in the park. There are also over 20 different species of birds found in the park.

 

There are many different trails that are well marked and of different lengths. The trails would appeal to people of all ages and abilities.

 

Original photo by Pat Hensley