HISTORY

HERITAGE LAKES HISTORY
The community we know today didn't start out as Heritage Lakes. What was once a working dairy farm came to be by way of several land acquisitions by the Riddle family. Their dairy farm covered all of what is now Heritage Lakes and extended beyond to where residential developments like Walker's Crossing are now found. Heritage Lakes itself was established in 1977 – the result of financial difficulties that beset the original developer.

What started as Saddle Horse Farms – an equestrian-centered development – eventually became Heritage Lakes after the original developers defaulted and North Carolina National Bank foreclosed. What remains of that project are the unique street names and memories held by some longtime residents. In this section of our website you'll get a glimpse into some of the significant events that occurred leading up to the creation of Heritage Lakes. If you have history to share... please let us know.

A special thanks to Brian Barron for the wealth of information he provided and wrote for this section of our site.

Back in the day.....
If you looked over the timeline of significant events that led up to Heritage Lakes, you'd notice it ends in 1978 with the Parade of Homes. That event was organized by the Home Builders Association of Greenville founded in 1960. The purpose was to be part of a national effort started by the housing industry in the 1940's to highlight new residential developments, construction methods and architectural styles. The 1978 showcase brought much attention to Heritage Lakes with then Governor-Elect Dick Riley as guest speaker - no doubt this led to increased sales.

Prior to the Parade of Homes, only 7 houses existed; the Watson's built in 1950 and 6 others. In the Parade itself, 27 new homes were presented – most of which were located on Black Horse Run, Andalusian Trail and Five Gait Turn. Of the 33 homes that existed in 1978 some are still occupied by the original owners.

Moving to the Woodruff Road area in 1978 was like stepping back in time. Heritage Lakes subdivision itself had been pastureland and dairy farm operations and was surrounded on all sides by fields. It was not unusual to see cattle on the roads or walking thru your backyard. The closest grocery store and pharmacy where in nearby Mauldin. There was not a single restaurant on Woodruff much less strip malls and shopping centers. Forest Lake, Walker's Crossing, Wedgefield and Heritage Glen residential developments would not be in existence for several years.

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