Greenville Arboretum
Reedy River Falls Historic Park
The Greenville Garden Club won the $500 second place price in Better Homes and Gardens' "Most Beautiful America" contest in 1932 for their landscaping of Rock Quarry Park. Members used the money to develop South Carolina's first arboretum on five acres of Furman University land immediately above this plaque. The plan, developed by Mrs. H.T. Crigler of the Garden Club, J.A. McPherson of the Parks and Trees Commission, and Furman botanist Sumner Ives, included flower beds, terraces, winding walks, retaining walls, and "picturesque seats of natural stone." WPA workers built the project. Beginning with 266 trees of 25 varieties, club members added hollies, magnolias, and other specimen plantings to create one of Greenville's most attractive tourist sights in the 1930s. The arboretum was neglected during World War II, and fell into decay when Furman moved away.
Marker can be reached from Furman College Way.
Courtesy hmdb.org
