Greenville, South Carolina is a buzzing hive of activity. There are so many things to do and see, sometimes it becomes a little overwhelming.
There was a time, surprisingly, when Greenville was not like that. Every city had to come from somewhere, right? Greenville’s humble beginnings are rich with history and culture, a place we are proud to come from.
We can thank the Cherokee Indians who settled this land before anyone else. They saw fit to deem it as their hunting ground, creating villages up and down the river, knowing that living near a water source is the best way to thrive. It’s not hard to understand why they settled here, as the sound of the rushing falls and the beautiful scenery surrounding the water is a place of your most tranquil dreams.
We can thank Richard Pearis, the true founder of Greenville, for purchasing the land from his Cherokee son, and understanding the importance of industrialization for his people. What started as a trading post and grist mill soon had a tub mill added, then two flour mills, and then suddenly there were colleges, churches, and schools. What had become a mill town had suddenly become a thriving town of families. A new society was born. Greenville had officially come out of the woodwork.
Greenville continued to expand, as it still does today. 1967 was the true turning point for Greenville when Furman Institution (what is today Furman University) partnered with the Carolina Foothills Garden Club to restore the park to its former glory.
Among the things restored in the park, Falls Cottage is one of them. People know it today as Mary’s Restaurant. It was built in the late 1800s and was considered part of Greenville’s prestigious and ever-growing West End. It served as a simple rental property for over 20 years. When the West End became the city’s first “motor mile,” Mary’s was transformed into a gas station. Then it was acquired by the Carolina Foothills Garden Club and now serves as a restaurant, a wedding venue, and home to several famous organizations in Greenville such as the Metropolitan Arts Council, Greenville Artists Guild Gallery, Tours Around Greenville, and a fundraising office for the Peace Center.
Falls Park in Greenville SC has been restored in numerous ways, with new landscaping and added features. The replacement of the Camperdown Bridge with the Liberty Bridge is probably Greenville’s most notable restoration change. The Liberty Bridge is the most iconic feature in Falls Park and with its installation, it provides an unobstructed view of the falls, no matter where you stand in the park. It has brought people from all over to enjoy family outings, dates, and tourist adventures.
Everywhere you look, there is something that stands as a testament to Greenville’s beginnings. The city of Greenville prides itself on making sure that its citizens and visitors know where everything came from, and what the foundation is for what they see today. We have so many people and events to thank for Greenville’s beginnings, and it’s clear that Greenville has no end in sight any time soon.
If you're interested in visiting Greenville SC and the beauty of it convinces you to stay, make sure you find some things to do in Greenville SC, and make sure to contact the PRODUCER Realty expert real estate team at 854-438-5050 to help you find homes for sale in Greenville SC.
