South Carolina's Croft State Park near Spartanburg is rich in stories relating to state history. Long before the park was opened in 1949, it was the site of a significant land battle during the American Revolution. Then, in the late 1800s, a large resort hotel called Whitestone Springs was constructed here and folks from all over the country traveled to partake in the healing lithium springs. That hotel burned in the 1930s but remnants are still visible via a hiking trail at the park.
But that's not all of the history you can learn while exploring this state park. During World War II, there was an army training center where Croft is now located, as well as a prisoner of war camp. Prior to converting the area to a training camp, the government paid farmers for their land and took over the entire area. And then, as history goes, they demolished any remaining dwellings the farmers may have left behind to prevent people from squatting in them illegally within such close range of the training facility.
Today, Croft State Park is a wonderful outdoor resource for connecting not only with nature, but also with the deeply rooted history of the land.
A number of trails have been carved into the landscape that feature windows into the past. Read all about a trail to the ruins of that resort hotel here.
And while you are exploring the park, be sure to locate this trail, the Beech Tree Trail, which meets up with the Foster Mill Loop Trail. You'll cross an old bridge that once led to the Whitestone Springs Resort as you meander along this 4.5-mile hike through the woods.
The trail is a loop that covers some serious terrain and has a total elevation change of just 580 feet.
In total, the park has a little more than 20 miles of trails, plus picnicking, camping, boating, and fishing on two lakes.
Along the Beech Tree to Foster Mill Loop Trail, you're bound to feel a million miles from everywhere, even though you're literally only a couple of miles from Spartanburg.
Eventually, you'll pass the old Foster Cemetery. In all, Croft State Park has six historic cemeteries.
And then you'll encounter the ruins of one of the old farm houses the government demolished when establishing the army training camp.
Walk right up and touch the stones that were laid in the late 1800s to construct the home's grand chimney.
Use your imagination, and you can almost smell the fire that would have kept the family warm duirng those few cold weeks of what we call winter here in South Carolina.
For sure, the history of the land here at Croft State Park runs both deep and wide, ranging from farmers who tilled the land for food to nourish the family to a grand old resort hotel built around a healing spring, to an army training camp, a P.O.W. camp, and finally... a state park where we can roam and wander as much as we want.
Have you visited Croft or hiked her many trails to the ruins? You can find out more about the Beech Tree to Foster Mill Loop Trail from our friends at AllTrails.com! Learn more about Croft State Park, including hours and admission fees, right here.
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