User talk:WGENGLISH/Paris Mountain State Park sandbox

"Sandbox for Paris Mountain State Park"

At the foot of the mountain is located Furman University.

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 Pearis. He married a Cherokee woman and became close to the tribe. The Cherokee continually gifted Pearis with land until he possessed 10 miles square some of which contained Paris Mountain. The name of “Paris” mountain came from the pre-Revolutionary man Richard Pearis. 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.”  A legend surrounding the mountain speaks of the first white men to visit the mountain. The chief tried to protect the mountain and when he grew old, he passed on the responsibility to his daughter and her husband. The husband failed and ended up selling 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. Newer reservoirs were put into service near Greenville in 1928 (Table Rock Reservoir) and the use of Paris Mountain for 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.

Paris Mountain State Park was built in the 1930 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The land for the park was acquired in 1935 from the city of Greenville. The state park on Paris Mountain covers an area of five acres. The lakes in the park were built in 1890 by the Greenville City Water System when the mountain was utilized as a reservoir.

Geography
Paris Mountain lies about five miles to the north of Greenville. Paris Mountain is known as a monadnock. Monadnock is a word from the Native American language; the word refers to a mountain that stands "alone" in an area as the highest land mass. The elevation of the mountain exceeds 2000 feet.

Flora and Fauna
Paris Mountain is home to around 73 different types of flora. While the majority of the plant life on Paris Mountain is similar to plant life found on mountains farther north, there are many exceptions. Virginia Pine populates the highest elevations of the mountain. Holly, one of the exceptions, 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 type was first discovered by Governor John Drayton. Rosebay Rhododendron also grows on many banks on the park's rivers. The animal life on Paris mountain is mostly comprised of, though not limited to, possums, foxes, and snakes. Bass and crappie also populate the lakes. Mica, graphite and iron ore deposits have all been found on Paris Mountain.
 * Plant Life
 * Wild Life
 * Geology

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. The park is also home to several campsites. Camp Buckhorn is a well known campsite located on Buckhorn Lake at the north end of the park. Camp Buckhorn is listed on the the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Placid is a 15 acre lake located in Paris Mountain State Park. The park is the center of boating and fishing alike for the park visitors. Boating includes kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats. Mountain lake is a larger lake located in the park that is closed to boaters. The lake is home to crappie, bream, and catfish. Other activities to participate in at the park include archery at the range, picnicking, biking, or just simple hiking.