In 2016, the SC Native Plant Society and the Naturaland Trust purchased, with the aid of a grant from the SC Conservation Bank, the Parks Mill Rocky Shoals Spiderlily (Hymenocallis coronaria) site on Stevens Creek in McCormick County. This purchase brought under protection the last significant population of this very rare and spectacularly beautiful native plant in South Carolina, second in area only to Landsford Canal State Park on the Catawba River. The lilies share the site with a largely intact, but non-functional water-powered grist mill, featuring late 19th century turbine technology. The SC Native Plant Society has the challenge of preserving the site for posterity. There has been a keen interest by the public in learning more about this Site. We are planning a second Open House event on the site for the weekend of May 19-20, 2018.
During these two days, members of the SC Native Plant Society and other environmental organizations, as well as the general public, will be able to step onto the historic grist mill site and to view the lilies in their full glory. There will be Native Plant Society members present to serve as guides and to answer questions during the hours of 10:00 till 12:00 and 1:00 to 3:00 on both Saturday andSunday, May 19 and May 20. We will make brief presentations on the lilies preservation and on-going efforts to stabilize the historic mill facility. If you and your group would like to visit during this Open House, please respond to Bill Stringer at [email protected], or (864) 979-3169. As there is very limited parking at the Site, we ask that visitor groups indicate which of the four time slots they prefer, and that very rigorous car-pooling practices be observed. We have also made arrangements for off-site parking in downtown Plum Branch, with a shuttle vehicle to transport you to and from the Parks Mill site. To call for a shuttle, please call (864) 979-3169.
For more info on the Parks Mill site, go to http://scnps.org/activities/rocky-shoals-spider-lily-preservation-project/
Driving directions to the Parks Mill Lilies Site:
This site is located on Stevens Creek where it passes under SC 283. Entrance gate to the site is just to the west of the bridge over Stevens Creek. A temporary sign will be posted at the gate indicating “SCNPS Event”.
From Greenville. take US 25 to Greenwood, then take US 221 to McCormick, and continue south on US 221 to Plum Branch. At Plum Branch, take SC 283 1.8 miles to the intersection with William Self Road. The gate to the site will be on the right.
From Columbia, take I-20 towards Augusta to exit 18, where you take SC 19 towards Edgefield. From Edgefield, take US 25 approximately 12 miles north to the intersection with US378. (Do not turn left on SC 283, as the Stevens Creek Bridge is closed). Turn left on US378 and drive to McCormick. In McCormick turn left on US221 and go about 5 miles to Plum Branch. In Plum Branch turn left on SC283 and go to the intersection with William Self Rd. The gate to the site will be on your right.
Questions? Contact Bill Stringer: [email protected] or (864) 979-3169
