Greenville is a city in and the county seat of Greenville County, South Carolina, United States, in the state's upstate region. One of the principal cities of the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), it had a population of 56,006 at the 2000 census, and the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 601,986 in 2006. Greenville is the largest city of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area (CSA) which has a 2006 estimated population of 1,203,795. The CSA, an 8-county region of northwestern South Carolina, is known as "The Upstate". Greenville is located approximately halfway between the cities of Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina along Interstate 85, and its metropolitan area is further serviced by Interstates 185 and 385.
Geography and climate
Greenville is located at 34°50′40″N 82°23′8″W / 34.84444°N 82.38556°W / 34.84444; -82.38556 (34.844313, -82.385428), centrally located between Atlanta (120 miles southwest), and Lexington, North Carolina.
Greenville is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains; therefore, the city and county contain many hills and knolls. The highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain, is located nearby in the northern part of Pickens County, which is adjacent to Greenville County to the west. Paris Mountain, home to many of the area's television and radio station towers, is the second most prominent peak in the area, and overlooks the downtown area from less than 7 miles (11 km) away. According to the United States Census Bureau, Greenville has a total area of 67.7 km² (26.1 mi²). 67.5 km² (26.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water.
Geology and seismology
Gold and other minerals have been mined in Greenville since the early 1800s. Rubies, amethysts, garnets, tourmalines, unakite and emeralds occur within 60 miles (97 km) of the city, likely washed down from the nearby mountains. Granite abounds in the area and is mined in Greenville as well as in neighboring counties.
Greenville sits on the associated faults of the Brevard Fault, a mostly quiet system which has, nonetheless, experienced some earthquakes of up to 6.0 on the Richter scale in the past 50 years; however, local earthquakes usually measuring not more than 3.0 are more the norm. Most of the city sits on various fault lines which seem to come together around Paris Mountain, a monadnock below which sits the city. This activity could be connected with the construction of Lake Hartwell. Since 1990, Greenville has experienced fewer than 15 noticeable quakes, mostly centered in the Sandy Flats area.
Law and government
Main article: Government of the City of Greenville, South CarolinaThe city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976. It is also the county seat of Greenville County.
History
The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families already had settled just within the boundary, and White traders regularly crossed the area. The first White man to settle permanently in the area was Richard Pearis, who settled at the falls of the Reedy River, sometime after 1770, which are now located in what is downtown Greenville. Paris Mountain, overlooking the city, is named for him.
During the American Revolution, the Cherokee (and Pearis) sided with the British. After a campaign in 1776, the Cherokee agreed to the Treaty of DeWitt's Corner, ceding territory that includes present-day Greenville County to South Carolina.
Greenville was originally called Pleasantburg. Greenville County was created in 1786 from Spartanburg District (now Spartanburg County), but was called Greenville District from 1800 until 1868. Greenville was probably named for American Revolutionary General Nathanael Greene, or else for Lord Grenville. Greenville is the mother district to Pendleton District (now Anderson County), Pickens District (now Pickens County) and Oconee District (now Oconee County).
In February, 1869, Greenville’s Town Charter was amended by the S. C. General Assembly establishing Greenville, the town, as a City.
In early to mid-1900, with Greenville being known as the “ Textile Center of the South”, an Exposition Hall for the textile industries was built.
During World War I; Greenville served as a training camp center for Army recruits. This eventually fostered the development of Donaldson Air Force Base, built during World War II, which was very important to the economy of the City of Greenville. Donaldson served as a military base until the early 1960s, when it was returned to the City of Greenville. The former air base has been developed into a business park. It contains historic military-style barracks which are used now by various businesses.
During the 1960s, blacks in the area were subject to the standard segregationist restrictions; they were limited to the back of city buses, were not permitted to stay in hotel or motel rooms which had white customers, and had to sit in the balcony of movie theaters. Especially significant was the restriction of blacks from use of the public library, which partially motivated the activism of the library-denied Jesse Jackson. Jackson, working through the NAACP, organized a sit-in at Greenville's F.W. Woolworth "five and dime" store, and quickly emerged as a civil rights leader. Compared to similar events in locations such as Birmingham, the protests were considered peaceful.
Beginning in the 1970s, then Mayor Max Heller spearheaded a massive downtown revitalization project. The first and most important step in changing downtown’s image was the streetscape plan, narrowing the street’s four lanes to two and installing angled parking, trees, and decorative light fixtures, as well as creating parks and plazas throughout downtown. Today, Main Street’s lofty canopy of trees impresses visitors and creates a welcoming backdrop for Main Street activities. A statue of Mayor Heller was recently erected in downtown, and dedicated in his honor for contributions to the city, and the revitalization of the area.
The new image provides a backdrop for private investment and growth throughout the city. The City also completed an ambitious $70 million rennovate of Falls Park on the Reedy, creating a unique pedestrian suspension bridge over Reedy River Falls.
Attractions
As the largest city in the Upstate, Greenville offers many activities and attractions. Greenville's theatres and event venues regularly host major concerts and touring theater companies. Four independent theaters present several plays a year.
Greenville has the only golf course in the world that has each hole conceived by a different designer. CrossWinds Golf Club is a public Par 3 course that can be played in one hour for 9 holes or in 2 hours for 18 holes. The course is lighted so evening play is available and it is located very close to downtown.
Notable event venues
- Bi-Lo Center, a 16,000-seat arena in downtown Greenville which hosts major concerts and sporting events each year.
- Peace Center, a performing arts center that hosts touring Broadway shows, symphonies, concerts, and civic events.
- Centre Stage, Greenville's Professional Theater is a year-round theater hosting the annual New Play Festival.
Shopping
Greenville is the main shopping destination of The Upstate region. Downtown Greenville is home to many specialty shops and boutiques. The Haywood Mall is a major mall in the area.
Landmarks
- Falls Park on the Reedy, a large regional park in the West End with beautiful gardens and several waterfalls. Dedicated in 2004, the $13.4 million park is home to the Liberty Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge overlooking the Reedy River. The park's development sparked a $65 million public-private development, Riverplace, directly across Main Street.
Falls Park is known as the birthplace of Greenville, but in the mid-20th century it was in severe decline, with the water polluted and grounds littered. In 1960, the Camperdown Bridge was built across the Falls, obstructing public view. In the mid-1980s, the City adopted a master plan for the park, leading to the removal of the Camperdown Bridge and making way for extensive renovations, to include 20 acres of gardens and the Liberty Bridge. While bridges with similar structural concepts have been built in Europe, the Liberty Bridge is unique in its geometry and there is nothing like it in the United States.
- Greenville County Museum of Art specializing in American art, frequently
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