Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Restoration and Development
Reedy River Falls Historic Park
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2009
1. Restoration and Development Marker
The Carolina Foothills Garden Club, beginning in 1967, spearheaded efforts to reclaim the long-neglected site of Greenville's birthplace and to preserve its natural beauty along the banks of the reedy River. The City of Greenville endorsed the project and resolved to establish and maintain a park. Furman University, whose campus was once located nearby, donated the original six acres, followed by other land grants from adjoining property owners. Over the next two decades the Garden Club, in partnership with the city, continued to protect, expand and develop the area. In 1975, a small house, known today as Falls Cottage, was acquired and restored. A master development/beautification project was begun in 1990 with city and garden club funds augmented with generous support from foundations, corporations, and individuals. The park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, encompasses 26 acres with nature trails, landscaped gardens, a pond and landbridge, scenic overlooks, textile mill ruins, and historic information plaques. Love of history, appreciation for nature's beauties and a desire to preserve it all for public enjoyment have motivated the work done here...this is a place restored to life!
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment •
this page online
Location. 34° 50.65′ N, 82° 24.1′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. Marker can be reached from Furman College Way. Marker is located on the north end of the Falls Park Landbridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. The Touchstone House "Falls Cottage" (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Falls Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriet Smith Wyche (within shouting distance of this marker); Reedy River Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Hunting Grounds to Mill Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); McBee's Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Furman University (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul Ellis, III Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicora College (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
Also see . . .
1. Reedy River Falls Historic Park and Greenway. The Reedy River Falls are
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2009
2. Restoration and Development Marker
Marker in the rear commemorates the site of Furman University, now home to the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities.
2. Friends of the Reedy River. The Reedy River is an economic and social resource for the community that impacts our quality of life. (Submitted on March 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Reedy River Falls Historic Park and Greenway I
The proposed Reedy River Park in an 8.13 acre plot of land which is located at the heart of present day Greenville. The site includes the forty foot high Reedy River Falls and a secondary set of rapids in a rocky gorge downstream from these. The riverbank portion of the park includes the old Furman University botanical gardens and arboretum as well as the ruins of an early mill.
The 8.13 acre park includes six acres deeded to the City of Greenville by Furman University and some 2.13 acres of additional land. Most of this land lies below the Reedy River falls and provides an extremely desirable open space in this metropolitan area.
The Reedy River Falls lie just southeast of the South Main Street bridge and form the northernmost attraction of the park. At this point, the Reedy River plunges over
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2009
3. National Register Medallion (Left)
City Restoration Marker (Right)
Located Near Falls Cottage
City Restoration Marker (Right)
Located Near Falls Cottage
the City of Greenville
in Recognition
of
Historical Significance
The City of Greenville has undertaken to maintain the immediate area. Overhead lighting and underground water connections are being installed. Projects are underway to clear the area of underbrush, excavate the sites of archeological importance and curtail riverbank erosion by the rapidly moving stream. Trails, walkways, footpath and picnic areas will complete the park's development.
Significance
The Reedy River Falls are not only the geographical but also the historical
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2009
4. Upper Reedy River Falls -
Spanned by Liberty Bridge
Spanned by Liberty Bridge
Industrial Significance
The land immediately surrounding the Reedy River Falls was deeded to one Richard Pearis just prior to the American Revolutionary War. Reaction by his neighbors to his Tory-Loyalist sympathies forced him to leave the area hurriedly. The only trace of his having been there at all is the fact that his name (despite a change in spelling) has been attached to nearby Paris Mountain. The following owner, Lemuel Alston, remained in control of the land until 1815. He was a representative in the South Carolina legislature in 1789 and was responsible for the establishment of a corn and grist mill at the head of Reedy River Falls in 1812. Traditionally, this has become the date of the founding of Pleasantburg. In 1815, the tract which had increased by then to 11,018 acres was sold to Vardry McBee. The remains of a granite and brick mill which he built on the lower falls in the l830s can still be discerned. The surrounding town of Pleasantburg continued to prosper with income derived from its
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2009
5. Falls Park -
From the Hessie Morrah Graham Marker
From the Hessie Morrah Graham Marker
Marker reads:
In loving memory of
Hessie Morrah Graham
1912-1995
"And so make lie, death and that
last forever, one grand, sweet song"
The Hessie Morrah Garden Club
Marker is located near Falls Cottage, across the walkway from the National Register medallion.
Hessie Morrah Graham
1912-1995
"And so make lie, death and that
last forever, one grand, sweet song"
The Hessie Morrah Garden Club
Marker is located near Falls Cottage, across the walkway from the National Register medallion.
Rehabilitation of the area began with the opening of the Furman University botanical garden and arboretum in 1929-30. Since 1967, the Carolina Foothills Garden Club and the City of Greenville have been working to make the central part of this acreage suitable for a recreational park. (Source: Original National Register nomination form.)
— Submitted March 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. Reedy River Falls Historic Park and Greenway II
The Reedy River Park is a 14 acre property located at the heart of present day Greenville. The site includes the 50 foot Reedy River Falls and a secondary set of rapids in a rocky gorge downstream from these. The riverbank portion of the park includes the old Furman University botanical gardens and arboretum as well as the ruins of an early mill.
The park contains 6 acres deeded to the City of Greenville by Furman University and some 8 acres of additional land purchased by the City. Most of the property lies
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2009
6. Staircase Leading from Falls Park
to the West End and Falls Cottage
to the West End and Falls Cottage
The Reedy River Falls lie just southeast of the South Main Street bridge and form the northernmost attraction of the park. At this point, the Reedy River plunges over a 50 foot drop into a rocky gorge which is defined on one side by the steep, rocky and heavily wooded Camperdown Bluff. Within this area a secondary set of falls can be found. These rapids were of key importance in the development of Greenville. Some brick ruins, presumed to be the remains of Vardry Mill built circa 1830, are still visible on the riverbank at this point. The wide granite outcroppings below the main falls are used for picnic facilities, walkways and footpaths. The low lying land immediately west of this point was developed ca. 1930 as a botanical garden and arboretum by Furman University.
The City of Greenville and the Carolina Foothills Garden Club have undertaken the development and maintenance of the area. Overhead lighting and underground water connections have been installed. Trails, walkways, and picnic areas have been constructed along the riverbanks. A 2.2 mile bike path has been constructed, connecting Reedy River Park with Cleveland Park, another city park. (These additions have not destroyed the historical integrity of the site.) In addition, a 19th Century structure
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 31, 2009
7. Falls Cottage
Site of Mary's Restaurant
Site of Mary's Restaurant
W.E. Touchstone and his wife Matilda built this two-story brick residence for their family to occupy in 1893. Touchstone was the superintendent of Camperdown Mills and in 1894 resigned and left for Alabama. His family remained in Greenville and his wife was made owner of the home. In 1897 Matilda Touchstone sold her home and eventually it was turned into a filling station by K.S. Conrad who bought the property in 1920. In early 1990, the house underwent renovations and opened as a combination art gallery and restaurant. (Source: Greenville County Historic Sites Driving Tour by Greenville County Library System, pg 8.)
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Because the original nomination did not clearly delineate the nominated property and because the property has undergone changes, the nomination has been revised to clearly define the boundaries and to reflect the enlarged acreage.
Significance
The Reedy River Falls are not only the geographical but also the historical center of Greenville. The speed and power of the falls and rapids below them were indirectly responsible for the founding of Greenville at this site in the early 1800's. Since that time, the mills that were the economic life of the city sat near the falls and used their power to grind flour and cornmeal or manufacture textiles. In the 1930's, the area surrounding the falls acquired additional significance as the site of a botanical garden and arboretum. Today, the falls are being preserved and the surrounding area developed as the Reedy River Falls Historic Park and Greenway.
Industry
The land immediately surrounding the Reedy River Falls was granted to Richard Pearis just prior to the American Revolution. The first white settler known in the area, Pearis established a grist mill and Indian trading post next to the falls. Reaction
William B. Coxe Collection, Greenville County Historical Society, circa 1933
8. Falls Park -
West End and Falls Cottage in Background
West End and Falls Cottage in Background
After changing hands several times, the property was deeded to Lemuel J. Alston in 1788. Alston remained in control of the land until 1815 when the tract which had increased to 11,018 acres was sold to Vardry McBee. The Town of Pleasantburg having been founded in 1812, McBee began development of the area with the construction of two mills, the remains of which can still be discerned. The surrounding Town of Pleasantburg continued to prosper with income derived from its thriving industry and in its 1831 charter, the town changed its name to Greenville. The continuing growth of the town enticed further industry. The construction of the Camperdown Mills about 1870 was responsible for the decline of the area surrounding the falls and the eventual erosion of the banks below the mill outlet. (These mills are no longer extant.)
Conservation
The rocky gorge and bluff site below old Camperdown Mills have profuse and distinctive natural foliage, helping to produce an area described in 1907 as "the most distinctive feature of the topography and landscape of the City of Greenville." Rehabilitation of the area began with the opening of the Furman University botanical garden and arboretum in 1929-30. Since
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 20, 2010
9. Pond Garden -
Endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bruce
Endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bruce
— Submitted March 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 20, 2010
10. Spring Falls Bridge -
The R.S. Small Family
In Memory of Sallie Small
The R.S. Small Family
In Memory of Sallie Small
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 20, 2010
11. Spring Falls Garden -
Endowed by Hurdle Lea
In Honor of Chicken Lea
Endowed by Hurdle Lea
In Honor of Chicken Lea
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 20, 2010
12. Pond Dedication Marker
donated by Delta Woodside
Industries, Inc.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 20, 2010
13. Delta Woodside Industries Pond and Garden
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,476 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4. submitted on March 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 28, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 3, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 12, 13. submitted on March 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
