For many Upstate residents, Paris Mountain is simply a place to hike, bike, fish, or escape the city for a few hours. But the mountain towering above Greenville has a history that stretches back long before the city existed. Hidden among the trails are clues to a story involving Cherokee land, Revolutionary War loyalties, early industry, and the man whose name eventually became attached to the mountain itself.

Who Was Richard Pearis?

One of the most fascinating historical markers in the park can be found along the trails. It explains the story of Richard Pearis, an early settler who arrived in the Greenville area in 1768.

Pearis left Virginia and settled along the Reedy River, where he is credited with building one of the area’s first gristmills powered by local waterways. Through his Cherokee wife, he formed relationships with Native American communities and accumulated vast amounts of land—reportedly as much as 150,000 acres covering much of what is now Greenville County.

The sign points out an interesting fact that many visitors may never realize: “Paris” Mountain was originally associated with the Pearis family. In the 1700s, spelling was not standardized, and over time the name “Pearis” gradually evolved into “Paris.”

A surviving 1774 land document shows that much of Richard Pearis’s property was acquired through his half-Cherokee son, George Pearis, who purchased acreage from tribal leaders.

A Divisive Figure During the American Revolution

Richard Pearis remains one of the most controversial figures in Upstate history.

While many settlers in the backcountry supported independence from Great Britain, Pearis remained loyal to the Crown. During the Revolutionary War, he sided with British forces and the Loyalist cause.

His loyalty came at a steep cost. He was imprisoned, lost much of his property, and became a deeply unpopular figure among Patriots in the region. After continuing to support British forces, Pearis eventually received a royal pension and spent his final years in the Bahamas.

Depending on who tells the story, Richard Pearis is remembered either as a frontier entrepreneur who helped develop the region or as a Loyalist who opposed American independence.

The Creation of Paris Mountain State Park

While the mountain’s history stretches back centuries, the state park itself was largely developed during the Great Depression.

In the 1930s, workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) transformed the mountain into one of South Carolina’s most beloved parks. The CCC built many of the stone structures, roads, trails, bridges, and facilities that visitors still use today.

The park officially opened in 1938 and became one of South Carolina’s original state parks.

Many of the historic stone buildings and structures scattered throughout the park remain in use nearly a century later, making Paris Mountain one of the best-preserved CCC parks in the Southeast.

Hiking the Brissy Ridge Trail

One of the most popular trail intersections in the park is where the Brissy Ridge Trail meets the Sulphur Springs Trail.

Your photos show this junction, which serves as a gateway to some of the park’s most scenic hiking.

Brissy Ridge Trail Highlights

• Approximately 1.4 miles one-way
• Moderate difficulty
• Excellent forest scenery
• Popular with hikers and mountain bikers
• Connects to several other trail systems

The trail climbs through hardwood forests and offers a peaceful escape despite being only minutes from downtown Greenville.

Unlike some Upstate trails that focus on waterfalls or mountain vistas, Brissy Ridge provides visitors with an immersive forest experience. Large hardwoods, wildlife sightings, and quiet ridgeline walking make it a favorite among locals.

More Than Just a Park

One of the most remarkable aspects of Paris Mountain is how quickly visitors can leave the city behind.

From downtown Greenville, it takes only a few minutes to reach trailheads surrounded by dense forest. Yet from certain overlooks, hikers can still see Greenville’s skyline stretching below.

The contrast between wilderness and urban development makes Paris Mountain unique. Few cities in the Southeast have a mountain rising directly beside downtown, giving residents immediate access to hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and nature study.

Things to Do at Paris Mountain State Park

Visitors can enjoy:

• Hiking more than 15 miles of trails
• Mountain biking
• Fishing
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Swimming during the summer season
• Camping
• Wildlife viewing
• Photography
• Educational programs and ranger events

Why Paris Mountain Matters

Paris Mountain is much more than a recreational area. It is a place where the stories of the Cherokee people, colonial settlement, the American Revolution, the Great Depression, and modern Greenville all intersect.

Whether you’re hiking Brissy Ridge Trail, exploring the lakes, or simply enjoying the cool mountain air, you’re walking through one of the most historically significant landscapes in the Upstate.

The next time you visit, remember that the mountain’s name likely traces back to Richard Pearis—a complicated frontier figure whose legacy helped shape the region long before Greenville became the thriving city we know today.

Have you hiked Brissy Ridge Trail or explored Paris Mountain State Park? Share your favorite trail, overlook, or memory from the mountain in the comments below!