PLEASE: Do not place trade items in the cache. There is limited space so only Travel Bugs are allowed.
In 1933 a CCC camp was built in the park holding approximately 200 men. This was one of four camps built in the Bald Eagle State Forest District in Union County. They contributed several important landmarks in the park.
(1) The Spring House
This was the source of the park's drinking water until 2011 when the park started withdrawing from some groundwater wells. The springs in these areas were notorious for "bubbling" due to the high pressure of the ground water that was being pushed out of cracks in the bedrock. However when the CCC used dynamite to create the foundation of the spring house, the blasting likely created a series of new fractures relieving the pressure, and now causing the spring to only seep out.
(2) The Beach House
This was probably the second major project done in the park (First being the dam). The stone steps and central section containing the fireplace are all that is left of the original CCC project. Since then the beach house has been expanded and renovated several times, mostly recently in 2004. When the beach house was created there was also a diving tower built in the lake for swimmers that has since been removed.
(3) The Skater's Keystone and Picinic Tables
This small pavilion was originally an open fireplace surrounded by a stone masonry wall in the shape of a keystone allegedly for ice skaters to put their skates on and warm up by the fire. It is interesting to note the location since the lake is located a fairly long distance away. Also all the picinic tables that have a masonry foundation were built by the CCC to further enhance the recreation of the area.
(4) The Dam
There was originally the remains of a wooden splash dam and beaver dam at this location before the CCC had arrived. This was the first big project done in the park and is also the first cement and stone dam built by the CCC in the United States! After the construction was finished the dam provided a seven acre lake for all sorts of recreation.
(5)The Flag Pole
The remenants of the flag pole represent the center of the actual CCC camp itself. If you look around you should be able to see a few stone steps leading off into the forest where some of the buildings use to be.
For more information about the history of the park please obtain a copy of the park's recreational guide and a copy of "Halfway to Winter" a brochure available at the park office. Old photos, maps and some reference materials about the camp are available for viewing at the park office on most weekdays and summer weekends.
