SUMMARY
GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC is a naturally diverse place situated in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. With its own growing urban areas as well as a number of fantastic state parks, this county is a gem among the foothills of the Appalachians.
ARTICLE
Situated among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville County, SC is part of an area of northwestern South Carolina more commonly referred to as “Upstate.” Greenville County, South Carolina is the state’s most populated county with more than 400,000 people living and working there. Located in the center of the county is the county seat – Greenville – a mid-sized town with a population around 60,000.
Greenville County, SC is a diverse county – offering all of the benefits of a larger metropolitan area with plenty of fantastic restaurants and theatres, a strong public and private school system, and a number of college and semi-pro sports teams – while also offering all of the benefits of a large state park system making numerous outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing readily accessible. A number of museums in Greenville feature art and historical exhibits while the local colleges and universities regularly have theatre and musical productions for the community.
For a long time, the area now known as Greenville County, SC was a stronghold of the Cherokee Indian nation. Richard Pearis was one of the first settlers in the area and was highly respected by the Cherokees. He was married to a Cherokee woman and was given several tracts of land by the Cherokees. Today, there are a number of historical sites dedicated to preserving the history of the area including several museums featuring Native American culture and history.
This area of South Carolina was not ceded by the state until 1777, and in 1786 the Greenville District was created. Located within this Greenville District, now known as Greenville County, SC is Paris Mountain State Park (named after Richard Pearis). This natural area is a highly popular getaway for many local residents and visiting tourists. It features a number of areas suitable for hiking and camping, as well as swimming and fishing.
Paris Mountain State Park attracts a number of residents of nearby larger metropolitan areas. Within a day’s drive of Greenville County, South Carolina are the cities of Atlanta, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Because of its natural areas and getaways, along with its ease of access to larger metropolitan areas – Greenville County maintains an easy and relaxing pace while keeping a finger on the larger pulse of the nation.
In recent years, a number of international companies have invested heavily in the Greenville County, SC area. The national headquarters of Michelin are located in the city of Greenville, as well as the only BMW manufacturing plant in North America. Once known as “The Textile Capital of the World,” Greenville is now the center of growth for the county and is attracting a large number of companies to invest in the area. Among them are IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft.
For a long time Greenville County, SC has been rich in natural resources with bountiful forests and mountains, lakes and wildlife. In recent years, this area has begun to learn to balance the splendor and attraction of these natural gifts with a busy growth and revitalization of its urban areas. For the residents of this gorgeous area located near the Appalachian Mountains, Greenville County, South Carolina represents what many Americans yearn for – urban diversity and productivity balanced with the natural awe and splendor of lakes, forests, mountain retreats, and scenic vistas.
Updated: January, 2010