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Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

McPherson Park

 
 
McPherson Park Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
1. McPherson Park Marker
Inscription.
Donated by Caroline Choice
June 18, 1884 Named for
John A. McPherson 1910
First Chairman of Park
and Tree Commission
City of Greenville

 
Erected 1965.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & ForestryParks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1853.
 
Location. 34° 51.478′ N, 82° 23.66′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. Marker is on E Park Ave., on the right when traveling east. Marker is located to the right of the Sears Shelter. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E Park Ave, Greenville SC 29601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 75 mm Field Gun / 3 inch M1903 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 90 mm M-2 Anti-Aircraft Gun (about 700 feet away); 6 inch Field Howitzer Model of 1908 (about 700 feet away); Post 3 American Legion (about 700 feet away); Kilgore-Lewis House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kershaw Brigade (approx. ¼ mile away); In Memory of 81st Wildcat Division / Camp Sevier (approx. ¼ mile away); Eighty Unnamed Soldiers (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Armory (approx. ¼ mile away); SC Ordinance of Secession (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
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Also see . . .  East Park Historic District. The East Park Historic District is historically significant as an early twentieth century planned suburban community, offering a park-centered lifestyle a few short blocks from downtown Greenville. (Submitted on May 21, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.) 
 
Additional commentary.
1. The East Park Historic District
This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2005). McPherson's Park, Greenville's oldest city park (and once known as City Park), acts as a buffer between the commercial downtown and the East Park District.

East Park is significant in landscape architecture as an example of an early twentieth century suburb. Retaining walls accentuated the hilly topography, trees provided shade and grassy lawns created a park-like setting. Continuing the Cleveland family's vision of a park community, Kelsey and Guild, noted landscape architects from Boston, Massachusetts, were hired by the Municipal League in 1907 to study plans for beautifying the city, including city parks. In May 1911 the Park and Tree Commission formerly adopted a donation by W.C. Cleveland of additional acreage to the "City Park."

Though Greenville experienced steady growth and progress
McPherson Park Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
2. McPherson Park Marker
in the first decades of the twentieth century, infrastructure improvements moved slowly. As prominent political leaders, businessmen and professionals moved into the city's suburbs, however -- most notably East Park -- discussions were renewed in 1912 concerning paving a road through the park and improving unpaved sidewalks along the streets in the neighborhood.

At the same time, the Park and Tree Commission initiated plans to beautify the park according to the 1907 plans of Kelsey and Guild. This included building a band pavilion to be used for band concerts twice weekly, dances and political speeches. The Greenville Daily News observed, "As few homes have large enough premises for children to indulge in such sports as they enjoy, addressing provision for the pleasure and welfare of the children is satisfied in plans for a playground for girls and ball ground for boys, along with cleaning out the stream to afford a splendid bathing place."

City Park served as a venue for political speeches, concerts, cultural events such as the traveling Chautauqua Series and rallies as early as 1890 and continued to do so well into the 1950s. It was also the site of training marches for soldiers from Camp Wetherill during the Spanish American War, Camp Sevier during World War I, and patriotic rallies during the Great Depression.

John A. McPherson, Chairman of
McPherson Park - Sears Shelter image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
3. McPherson Park - Sears Shelter
The marker is located to the right of the Sears Shelter
the Park and Tree Commission, hired Carter Newman, Jr. as a full-time park and playground director in 1938. With the assistance of the Works Progress Administration (or WPA, later the Works Projects Administration), City Park underwent major renovations between 1935 and 1941. In May 1941 the Greenville City Council recognized John A. McPherson's contributions to the beautification of the city and renamed City Park in his honor. Five months later McPherson Park's newest improvement was officially dedicated. With a $7500 donation from Sears, Roebuck and Company, WPA assistance, and a contribution from the city a new recreation center was constructed of stone and opened in October 1941.

The shelter became immediately popular for teenage square dances, club meetings and children's parties. During World War II the facility was made available to military personnel every night until the end of the war. (Source: National Register nomination form.)
    — Submitted August 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
 
McPherson Park Marker -<br>Adjacent to the Sears Center image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
4. McPherson Park Marker -
Adjacent to the Sears Center
McPherson Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
5. McPherson Park
McPherson Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
6. McPherson Park
McPherson Park Entrance image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
7. McPherson Park Entrance
McPherson Park Entrance image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
8. McPherson Park Entrance
Cannon at the Entrance to McPherson Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
9. Cannon at the Entrance to McPherson Park
Cannon at the Entrance to McPherson Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
10. Cannon at the Entrance to McPherson Park
The three cannon are Civil War era and were once on display in the park. They had been removed but were restored during 2005 when the park went through a revitalization.
Cannon Overlooking McPherson Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
11. Cannon Overlooking McPherson Park
Senior Citizen Activities Center at McPherson Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 9, 2009
12. Senior Citizen Activities Center at McPherson Park
McPherson Park Pavilion image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
13. McPherson Park Pavilion
McPherson Park Pavilion image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
14. McPherson Park Pavilion
McPherson Park Pavilion image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
15. McPherson Park Pavilion
McPherson Park Walking Path image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
16. McPherson Park Walking Path
This was part of the old miniature train tracks path. Most of it has been converted to a walking trail now.
McPherson Park Mini-Golf Course image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
17. McPherson Park Mini-Golf Course
Stone Walking Bridge image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
18. Stone Walking Bridge
National Register Medallion image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
19. National Register Medallion
National Register Display image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 30, 2010
20. National Register Display
McPherson Park-One of the old miniature train bridges image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
21. McPherson Park-One of the old miniature train bridges
Back in the fifties, and early sixties, the park contained a miniature train that the young, and young at heart could ride thru the park.
Miniature Train image. Click for full size.
Photographed By M. L., August 17, 2008
22. Miniature Train
This is the type of miniature train that ran in the park in the 50's and 60's. This one is located at the Pavilion, in Taylors, SC.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,333 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on August 19, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina.   2. submitted on May 20, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   3. submitted on August 19, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina.   4. submitted on May 20, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   5, 6. submitted on August 19, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina.   7. submitted on May 20, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   8. submitted on June 3, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   9, 10, 11. submitted on May 20, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   12. submitted on May 21, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   13, 14, 15. submitted on June 3, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   16. submitted on August 19, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina.   17, 18, 19, 20. submitted on June 3, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   21, 22. submitted on August 19, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 18, 2024