Anne Springs Close Greenway — Fort Mill, South Carolina

The crown jewel of Fort Mill, this expansive greenway covers 2,100 acres. Its spectacular size isn’t the only thing that sets it apart, however. For one, the park abounds with early American history and preserves landmarks that in some cases, predate European settlement. For another, unlike most parks, this one is privately owned.

Namesake Anne Springs Close opened these grounds to the public in 1995. Today, 20 years later, she can still be seen enjoying the park she created. Along with her eight children, Ms. Close placed a conservation easement on the land via the Nation Ford Land Trust. The property is part of a 6,000-acre tract that Close’s ancestors bought from the Catawba Indians generations ago. She eventually inherited the tract, and while much of the remaining land is being developed, this third will be protected in perpetuity.

The family’s legacy does not stop here, however. In addition to safeguarding the land for the future, the Close family decided to make it publicly available to others in South Carolina – and beyond – who appreciate the natural beauty of the Upstate. Equestrian trails, walking paths, mountain biking, fishing, interpretive tours, camping, and even a South Carolina Master Naturalist program are available within this comprehensive environmental complex.

One of the preserve’s more popular spots is Lake Haigler (pronounced hay-gler), seen in the photo above. The lake is named for Catawba chief King Haigler, who was known as a friend to the region’s earliest white settlers. Though King Haigler was killed in 1763 by a band of Shawnee Indians, his memory remains revered by many in our state. Built in 1952 by Colonel Elliott Springs, Ms. Close’s father, this 28-acre lake includes a waterfall, seen below.

The lake is stocked with bass and catfish, as are the greenway’s other lakes – Crandall, Frances, Katherine, and Stumpy Pond. Stumpy Pond, seen below, is a lesser known spot to view the fantastic display of rocky shoal spider lilies (Hymenocallis coronaria) every spring. Landsford Canal in Chester County is the more well known spot to view these gorgeous flowers every year.

Pictured below is a portion of the old Nation Ford Road. The greenway preserves a mile of this historic trail, which initially served as a trading route for the Catawba but was adopted by European immigrants as early as 1650. Nation Ford Road in turn formed a portion of the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road, which stretched from Philadelphia all the way to Augusta. This important transportation route attracted many colonists to the area we now call York County. Later, railroads and highways followed roughly the same path. Sections of the road, including this one, are listed in the National Register.

Several walking trails, like the ones pictured above and below, wind through the preserve. Some of the more well-traveled trails run parallel to Nation Ford Road, encircle Lake Haigler, and take visitors to the historic Garrison-Webb gristmill, built at the end of the eighteenth century. The mill is suspected to be the the first such gristmill in the area. Over 100 species of wildflowers line the many trails, and birding opportunities abound throughout the year. A variety of natural communities – ranging from pinewoods and hardwood bottom forests to orchards and prairies – creates homes for a stunning diversity of wildlife.

One of the greenway’s most visited sites is the dairy barn, shown here. Built in 1947, the former working barn has been renovated and is now used as an event site. With no shortage of rustic scenery, the barn can accommodate around 400 people. It is also surrounded by an outdoor event area for those wishing to entertain under the sky. Tents are permitted on the grounds, and the two-story structure allows for both upstairs and downstairs seating.

For still more history, visit the Faires-Coltharp Cabin, pictured below. Built around the early 1800s, this cabin of hand-hewn logs was originally located about three miles away. Legend holds that the son of a prisoner of the Revolutionary War was once housed here, as was a Civil War soldier. It was moved to the Anne Springs Close Greenway property in 1994.

Another historic cabin on the property is the Graham Cabin, below. This old log home has been updated with weatherboarding, though its original hand-hewn beams are still visible inside. It, too, was first located elsewhere, about two miles away. The cabin was moved here in 1999. It belonged to Archibald and Elizabeth Graham in the early 1800s; Archibald Graham was the great-grandfather of the Reverend Billy Graham.

Modern buildings on the property include the charming red Field Trail Barn, accommodating up to 125 people as an event venue; the Adventure Center, which hosts educational programs and camps; an open-air pavilion; and a house which has been converted into a nature center. School groups, companies, local residents, and out-of-town guests are all welcome to take advantage of the facilities available at Anne Springs Close Greenway. In addition to everything above, visitors can enjoy a lap pool, a fitness room, and racquetball courts.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway is maintained by the Leroy Springs Company, founded in 1938. The company was formed to issue interest-free scholarships to students in need. It has grown to include the management of various recreational venues across the state and even in North Carolina, most of which were established by Springs Mills for its textile workers but now serve the general public. Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach is one such site.

Springs Mills was a textile company owned and operated by Leroy Springs in the early twentieth century; today it continues to operate as the nationally-known Springs Industries. The Leroy Springs Company was organized by his son, Colonel Elliott White Springs, who was the father of Anne Springs Close. Both Leroy Springs and Elliott Springs also owned the L&C Railway. Anne Springs Close serves as president of the board of trustees of the Springs Close Foundation, a charitable organization founded in 1942 to support current and former textile communities.

More Pictures of Anne Springs Close Greenway

Below are some autumnal scenes of the lakes at Anne Springs Close Greenway. The images were captured in the fall of 2016 by Jim Dollar.

Anne Springs Close Greenway Map

---