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Paris Mountain State Park

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Greenville County / Paris Mountain State Park

Located just a few miles north of Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park was established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program formed under President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. The park’s namesake Paris Mountain was originally inhabited by Cherokee Indians. The man thought to be first white settler to Greenville County was Richard Pearis, who arrived from Ireland around 1765. He married a Cherokee woman and established a homestead near the Reedy River. Some of his vast landholdings included part of the mountain, which he obtained through various land deals with the local Cherokees. Paris Mountain is a variation of his surname.

Paris Mountain State Park

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

During the nineteenth century the land surrounding the park was used by the Greenville Water System as the site of its first reservoir, built around 1888. Two other reservoirs soon followed. Today the reservoirs are popular lakes within the park known as Lake Placid (seen at the bottom of the page), Mountain Lake, and Buckhorn Lake.

Paris Mountain Water Tower

Steven Faucette of Williamston, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The original dams and spillways still occupy the property, as does the Mountain Lake dam tower, seen above. The park and its structures were made of local stone and timber and remain in similar form as when they were built. The former bathhouse, seen at the top of the page, was built in 1936 and overlooks Lake Placid. The distinct building with the dramatic stone pillars supporting its roof was modified in 1945 when an addition primarily used for concessions was built, connecting to the main building with a breezeway. In 2002 the bathhouse was converted to an educational center in 2002.

Paris Mountain Dam

Candy Jones of Greenville, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Other features of the popular state park include hiking and biking trails, canoeing and kayaking, and camping. A historic amphitheater built in 1940 includes two stone fire rings, and historic picnic shelters and modern playground equipment make for a fun day within the park. In addition to providing 39 campsites with electoral and water hookups, Paris Mountain State Park also offers lodging within Camp Buckhorn, a camp complex developed between 1936 and 1937 surrounding Lake Buckhorn. Ten primitive cabins are available, as is the Buckhorn Lodge, which can sleep up to 40 people. Camp Buckhorn is a popular retreat site for groups, though individuals may also rent the facilities within Camp Buckhorn.

Lake Placid Paris Mountain

Candy Jones of Greenville, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Paris Mountain State Park is listed in the National Register:

Paris Mountain is significant for its association with the establishment and development of a system of state parks in South Carolina. As one of sixteen state parks constructed in the state by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Paris Mountain is expressive of the conservation, recreation, and design ethic of the early twentieth century state parks movement. Specifically, Paris Mountain is significant for its association with early utilitarian conservation efforts in South Carolina before the 1930s, and the establishment of local recreational parks during the Great Depression.

Paris Mountain also reflects the rustic style of park architecture and landscape design. Buildings and structures in the park were built using local materials, such as rubble stone and rough hewn logs, in a manner that harmonized with the natural environment. The CCC structures are grouped into three main areas, all surrounding or close to lakes. The most concentrated development occurs along the south side of Lake Placid. This section of the park includes picnic spots, the bathhouse, swimming area, amphitheater, athletic field, and park administrative buildings. The area around Sulphur Springs and Mountain Lake includes trails, picnic areas, and the archery range. Hidden deep within the park is the Buckhorn organized group camp, which consists of a lodge and camper cabins. All of these areas are joined by park roads, which serve to unify the overall park design.

Plan Your Trip: Paris Mountain State Park

Where is Paris Mountain State Park located?
Address: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, SC 29609
GPS Coordinates: 34.924938,-82.365503
Website: http://pmspf.org/
What else should I see?
Washington High School 5.6 miles
The Main Collective 6 miles
Furman Bell Tower 6.8 miles
Furman University 6.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Forests and Nature Preserves
  • Greenville Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Mountains
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • See other South Carolina Parks
    Paris Mountain State Park Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sparrow says

      September 17, 2019 at 1:18 PM

      Our family has really enjoyed walking around the lake in this park and viewing the changing leaves of autumn. This place is like a quiet natural oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Greenville!

      Reply
    2. Mustapha Elkrim says

      October 27, 2014 at 4:12 PM

      We hiked yesterday for 9 miles up in Paris Mountain! It was very hard, fun, and fulfilling… my friends were great, they called me the "drill sargeant"! I was encouraging everyone to move, and we made it back to camp just after dark, though we got lost several times! Thank God we didn't have to spend the night up there, it's cold at night.

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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