Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Open to the Sky
Political speeches, group baptisms, concerts and more have drawn spectators to this amphitheatre since the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built it of local stone in the 1930s. It is one of South Carolina's only remaining amphitheaters with classic CCC features.
Like the ancient Greeks, the CCC capitalized on the contours of the land to create an open-air theater featuring natural acoustics and a good view of the stage from any seat. Unlike the Greeks, the CCC left trees standing within the site.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list.
Location. 34° 55.683′ N, 82° 22.233′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. Marker can be reached from State Park Road. Marker is on the grounds of Paris Mountain State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville SC 29609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "Mom, Can I Have a Nickel?" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Come On In, the Water's Fine! (about 400 feet away); New Life for Old Bathhouse (about 600 feet away); Welcome to Paris Mountain State Park (about 700 feet away); What's So Special About this Bridge? (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dam for Reservoir 2 (approx. ¼ mile away); Barracks in the Woods (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sulphur Spring (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Original Water Filter (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bull's Eye! (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
More about this marker. It is the 4th marker in the park's Wayside Marker's Trail.
Also see . . .
1. Paris Mountain State Park. Paris Mountain State Park is a park located north of Greenville, South Carolina. (Submitted on June 26, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Paris Mountain State Park Historic District. Paris Mountain is significant for its association with the establishment and development of a system of state parks in South Carolina. (Submitted on June 26, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Civilian Conservation Corps. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a public work relief program for unemployed men, focused on natural resource conservation from 1933 to 1942. (Submitted on June 26, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Amphitheater
The amphitheater at Paris Mountain, located to the west of Lake Placid along Mountain Creek, was completed by the CCC in 1940. It consists of a large semi-circular seating area carved out of the hillside above the creek, a level state area, and two rubble stone fire rings.
The seats are long, curved, rubble stone walls, approximately one and a half feet in height, that follow the concave shape of the hillside and are spaced in even rows. They are capped with smooth concrete slabs which provide the seating surface. The fire rings are circular, and approximately two feet in height. They are positioned at either side of a flat earthen stage at the base of the hillside. Large hemlocks growing behind the stage serve to define the area and provide a natural backdrop. The 1939 park plan shows that a curved reflecting pool was proposed for the area between the stage and the seating.
Exploratory excavations of the stage area indicate that the proposed pool was actually constructed and later filled in. The walls of the pool appear to have been built of rubble masonry in typical CCC fashion. This alteration, which occurred sometime after the period of significance, resulted in the removal of a major design feature. However, the amphitheater should still be considered a contributing resource because the alteration is reversible.
Another structure associated with the amphitheater is a small arched vehicle bridge that allows access to the site. It is built of coursed ashlar and incorporates a nine-foot arch over Mountain Creek. The stone work is indicative of Paris Mountain Water Company construction; the bridge also appears on the 1898 plan of Reservoir #2. (Source: National Register nomination form.)
— Submitted June 26, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,500 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.