Sprawling amongst the vibrant foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the picturesque town of Greenville, South Carolina, is a remarkable example of Southern charm, pride, ingenuity, and resilience. If you count yourself as one of its 70,000+ residents, you probably already know quite a bit about your bustling metropolitan city. You don't have to be here long to realize that it is a passionate city with an embracing love of art, music, and culture. In fact, passion itself is deeply rooted in this town, going back to the very first days of its inception. Did you know that the origin of Greenville is a love story?

The year was 1753, and Richard Pearis was a pioneer living in Virginia with his wife and children. At that time, the land that would become Greenville was Cherokee land, and ownership was forbidden to colonial settlers. Pearis was an enterprising young man, and it wasn't long before he began engaging in trade with the Cherokee in the area. But that was not all he was engaging in. Before long, Pearis became embroiled in a very passionate love affair with a Cherokee woman. He fathered a child with her, and some say that he even married her, despite already having a wife. But regardless of marital status, he knew where he wanted to be—and that was not back in Virginia but with his Cherokee family. Described by some as a scoundrel but a charismatic and persuasive man by all accounts, Pearis was so well-liked by the Cherokee that he was able to win over the chiefs and secured the very first bit of land in the area for ownership: 12 square miles that would one day become the heart of Greenville, South Carolina. (

So, you see, it is only natural if you love Greenville. And you are certainly not alone—the town has won considerable recognition as one of the nicest places to live in the entire country. It was recently ranked in the "Best Places to Live in the USA" by U.S News and World Report, and that is just one of its many accolades.  Modern-day Greenville boasts an endless variety of entertainments. For outdoor recreation, you simply cannot miss Falls Park on the Reedy. Rated as Greenville's #1 attraction on Trip Advisor, this downtown park boasts breathtaking views of the falls and the city, with a plethora of shops and terrific restaurants like Sassafras Southern Bistro within easy walking distance. Another park you might want to visit is Paris Mountain State Park, which has a wonderful Interpretive Center (and, incidentally, is named after Richard Pearis). There's no better place to see a show than at the stunning Peace Center, a marvel of architecture featuring babbling fountains throughout the grounds and comfy seating too. Go biking on the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail or grab the kids and head over to the Children's Museum of Upstate.

For something a bit different, visit the Greek Revival Folk Art Chicken Coop. It's delightfully ornate, purple (yes, purple), and a fully functioning coop, complete with chickens. Greenville is purported to have its share of ghosts, too. Check out the haunted Poinsett Bridge, built in 1820 and known for its gothic arch as well as the spectral visitors it attracts. Springwood Cemetery, centuries-old, is also a hotbed of ghost sightings, along with many other sites in Greenville. The city also has a top-notch haunted house attraction, too, called Nightmare Dungeon. A trip to this ultra-terrifying cabin in the woods will have you jumping at every noise and is sure to leave you rattled.

Of course, not everything making strange rattling noises is a ghost. If you hear some unusual sounds in your home, it's more likely a pest than anything spectral. Pests are well known to plague the residents of Greenville, but no worries—you've got Superior Pest Solutions, the area's most trusted pest control company, ready to take care of the issue. Contact us today.