Petition to Protect Paris Mountain and Preserve Travelers Rest’s Small-Town Charm

To: The City Council of Travelers Rest and Development Stakeholders

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the proposed resort development on Paris Mountain.

Travelers Rest has long been celebrated as "The South’s Coolest Small Town" because of its natural beauty, welcoming community, and independent local businesses. The proposed large-scale resort threatens to irreversibly change the very essence of what makes our town special.

Paris Mountain is more than just land—it is a treasured landmark rich in history, a place of peace and serenity, and an escape for residents and visitors alike. It is where families gather, where outdoor enthusiasts find adventure, and where stories like that of Eugenia Duke, an entrepreneurial pioneer—who founded Duke’s Mayonnaise after selling her homemade sandwiches to soldiers on Paris Mountain in 1917—have shaped our town’s identity.

Bringing a corporate-backed resort to this sacred space will not only disrupt the landscape but will alter the town’s identity and character. A development of this magnitude will increase traffic, raise property costs, and push out the small, locally owned businesses that make Travelers Rest unique. Over time, the town will no longer be the charming, tight-knit community that draws people here in the first place.

Travelers Rest City Council, we ask you to consider the long-term impact of this project on our town and its residents. If, years from now, this resort leads to a loss of small-town charm and local business, would that be an acceptable trade-off?

Instead of handing over our town’s future to big corporations, we should invest in preserving and enhancing what already makes Travelers Rest special—supporting local entrepreneurs, protecting our green spaces, and maintaining the peaceful character of Paris Mountain for generations to come.

We urge you to reject this development proposal and instead seek alternatives that align with the values of the people who live, work, and love this town.

Sign this petition to stand with us in protecting Paris Mountain and keeping Travelers Rest truly “The South’s Coolest Small Town.”