The Hut 1940
Dogwood Lane Entrance
Main Street Entrance
Main Street: Back Side
Picnic Shed
Tea House
Long Bridge
Amphitheater
Sunrise Service Site
Another View
Rock Steps
Stream with Bridge
The Hut in 2000
Copied: A JUNK PILE OF YESTERDAY BECOMES A BEAUTY SPOT OF TO-DAY
(Unfortunately the pictures referred to in the report did not accompany the article. The photos shown are intended to convey the parts of the park to which the reference is made.)
In the fall of 1933 a plot of ground, covering several acres within the town limits of Chesterfield, S. C., was given by a public spirited citizen to be made into a Community Park. The end nearest the stores was a junk pile; the remaining part was a jungle of vines climbing to the very top of the trees. (Picture # 1) With C. W. A. labor we proceeded to move the junk and clear away the vines so we might see what were the possibilities for beautification. This being done we discovered we had a lovely ravine with steep slopes running north and south, affording us an opportunity for developing a sunrise side and a sunset side which shall be rivals for beauty. These slopes already had a wonderful growth of trees, more than 30 varieties. Ever mindful that “We pass this way but once, let us beautify that path as we go, so that the world may see which way we went”, we started out to intensify the beauty we already had by terracing the hillsides forming narrow terraces for walks and wide terraces for drives. These walks and drives we have edged with bulbs of different varieties, already having used more than a thousand with more to follow. On the slopes between the walks and drives we have set more than 300 native plants, including Mt. Laurel, Wild Azalea, Crab Apple, Judas tree, etc., interspersing these with Iris. We have set a dozen Wisterias to climb into the already tall trees. A few plants of yellow-jasmine (the state flower of S. C.) have been planted. At the southern end of the park where the driveway curves we have prepared a bed for Lotus, or variety being “Lily of the Nile”. Around this Lotus bed we are making a border with pink Oxalis, Sweet Alyssum, Thrift and Dwarf Physotegia; these plants on the outer edge to reflect the colors of the Lotus inside. Those caring to linger here will find seats where they may rest and steep themselves with the beauty afforded. (Pictures # 2 and 3) Through the center of the Park, we are building of native rocks, groups of steps in each terrace connecting the sunrise side with the sunset side. At the top step on the sunrise side we have built of cedar, a rustic pergola with seats, backs of these seats, we have planted Mt. Laurel, Wild Azalea, Dogwoods and Judas trees; Southern Smilax is already planted to run on the pergola. This is indeed a peaceful scene where one will love to linger in the early morning, in the bright noonday or in the sweet scented dusk. This spot is adjacent to the sidewalk which leads to the Courthouse a few feet away. On this sidewalk we are setting Crepe myrtle and Petunias on the outer edge with Judas trees and dogwoods on the inner edge. (Pictures # 4 and 5.) Leaving the pergola on the east and descending three flights of steps (I must not neglect to say blue trailing Periwinkle and pink Oxalis is planted at every step) you cross a lovely rustic bridge spanning a brook which is fed by two springs bubbling out of a hillside in the southern end of the park. We plan to beautify these springs by walling them up and building over them a hood of white rocks. Near the brook’s edge we have set hundreds of winter ferns.) (Picture # 6) After pausing on the rustic bridge long enough to admire two massive trees, a pine and a white oak, which act as a “Stop, Look and Listen” sign you wonder if they could have been transplanted from the “Limber lost”, then cast a glance at the other natural beauty and the rockeries we are building on each side, you proceed to climb steps, four flights, when you find yourself in the midst of a grove of lovely young pines where we have leveled a place large enough to build a rustic Tea House which will be ample enough in size to accommodate a meeting of the Civic Club, American Legion, Missionary Societies, Farm Demonstration and Home Demonstration Clubs whenever they care for an outdoor meeting and the inspiration you get nowhere else except outdoors. A few feet from this rustic Tea House we are building a Community Club House which is to complete the beautiful picture by looking as if it were a part of the hillside. In the side of this hill we made a deep excavation, built a rock basement which will provide a storage room and two rest rooms; above this is an assembly hall and kitchen being built of logs since a log house seemed to fit into the picture we are making. (Pictures 7 and 8) In front of this Club House at the foot of the hill we are excavating in slate rock for a swimming pool. (Picture 9) Leaving the Community Club House and crossing the drive to the north we come to a place where we have done no work but we have a vision of something useful and beautiful. On this side we expect to build grills for outdoor cooking. (Picture 10) In a corner made by Highway # 85 and a park driveway we plan to have an amphitheatre. Since the ground is not level we would like three saucer shaped plateaus wide enough to accommodate 3 or 4 rows of seats or enough to supply the needs for vesper services and meetings of any group caring to use them. To complete this we plan a stage in the shape of a half moon, 25 feet across the front and 15 ft. deep. Back of this stage we plan to bank our native shrubs such as Carolina Laurel and Mr. Laurel, using Crepe Myrtle wherever possible. Back of the amphitheatre next to the highway we expect to use tall growing shrubs. The plateaus and stage are to be grasses. From this point in the park you may see the departing monarch of the heavens as he reluctantly sinks to rest leaving a gorgeous rim of cerise and violet and primrose flecked with the softness of white clouds. (Picture #11 ) Just north of this amphitheatre we would like a playground for children with whatever playground equipment we can secure. We have two entrances (not finished) to the park and expect to build of white rock, massive entrance portal with marble tablets embedded, these tablets to bear the name of the park. (Pictures # 12 and # 13) From the very beginning we have intended this park should be of a public character, of economic and social benefit to the general public and carefully planned to be of the greatest efficiency and benefit to the community and of such a nature as will easily permit coordination with larger plans for local and State improvements. We are indeed grateful for the C. W. A. labor we have had and we do so want to finish our park which if completed will be a thing of beauty and joy forever since we hope to make it the nearest spot to heaven on this earth. Emma H. Hanna Chm. Of Park Trustees Chesterfield, S. C.