subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Thu, Nov 20 2008 

Published: March 11, 2006 02:49 pm    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Remnants of the New Deal

By Keli Clark
TravelOk.com

Growing up, history was not always a favorite subject. In high school, the history teachers were always coaches. My fellow classmates and I knew our goal for the hour was to listen to the lesson for about 5 minutes then one of us would divert the teacher’s attention to the football, basketball or baseball game from the night before. The rest of the time would be spent on a play-by-play analysis of the sporting event. Believe it or not, we all made it through the years with some knowledge of history.

These days learning about the past is a lot more fun than sitting in a classroom and is as easy as taking a trip to an Oklahoma State Park.

A number of parks were built as part of the Depression era New Deal program that was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The agency in the heart of this program was called the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Thousands of unmarried, and physically fit young men enlisted in the Corps and were sent to camps all across the United States, including Oklahoma, to learn a trade such as building structures, roads and bridges, planting trees and developing state parks. For their hard work, the CCC boys received a monthly stipend of $30. The workers kept $5 and the rest was sent home to help care for the families they left behind. The benefit of this program is still evident today in the detailed work that exists in our parks.

In western Oklahoma, Boiling Springs near Woodward and Roman Nose near Watonga are two of the original seven state parks built in the 1930’s as part of the New Deal.

Named for the natural springs that churn below the surface and “boil” up, Boiling Springs has deep roots in the CCC program. One of the original camps that housed the enrollees, Company 2822, was located nearby.

Following a plan already in place at many of the national parks, the state park designers incorporated a look described as “naturalistic architecture.”

Stone steps, bridges and foundations were designed to look as an inherent extension of the land they were built upon. The area near the lake and swimming pool offers a picturesque backdrop that showcases this standard.

Native gypsum rock along the lake walls and drainage culvert extend outward from the ground as if in a naturally formed pattern.

The large bathhouse that welcomes visitors to the swimming pool is also solidly built with the same type of rock and includes log supports.

The community building at the group camp is a testament to solid construction and craftsmanship learned by the workers.

Thick log beams make up the roof trusses, and large cut native stones line the outside of the building. A covered shelter near the cabins, also made from the same type rock is nestled in a hill blending into the terrain.

The park is a favorite for those who like to get away and enjoy a quiet moment or to watch the variety of wildlife that stroll through.

Work by the Corps began at Roman Nose State Park in 1935, however it wasn’t officially opened until 1937 and some structures weren’t completed until the next year.

Built on land donated by the Cronkhite Family, the park is named after Henry Roman Nose, a southern Cheyenne Tribal Chief whose family also donated land and who once lived within the boundaries. The canyons, mesas and natural gypsum rock in the area contributed to the materials that helped shape the park.

The most recognized structure is the large, rock swimming pool. When it was first built, the water in the pool was spring-fed and the icy water offered quite a wake-up call to the many swimmers who gathered in the hot summer months of western Oklahoma.

New health codes in the 1950’s brought the pool up to standard and it no longer has the bone-chilling effect it had before.

In other parts of the park, rock walls surrounding some of the picnic areas and metal signs that lead visitors to their locations are evidence of the Corps construction.

Not so evident are the heavy stones that were quarried, transported and hand laid by the workers now lining the creek-beds and culverts. A historical marker near the creek in the Deer Run area was put in place by the CCC workers.

Another memorable piece of handiwork is a pavilion that sits near the Spring of Everlasting Waters. This spot is frequented by lover’s young and old who often get engaged and eventually marry in the same place. The quiet location and gentle sound of the nearby water offers a romantic setting.

It is fortunate that such a program came into existence during a tough time period. With the income it provided, families survived and young men learned a skill that would carry them through the remainder of their lives.

Without their hard work and dedication in the past, the wonderful state parks we have today would not be the historical treasures that we enjoy in the present.

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.



Photos


Roman Nose State Park, above, and Boiling Springs State Park, below, are two state parks that were built as part of FDR’s New Deal program. (Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Tourism Department) / (Click for larger image)


Boiling Springs State Park near Woodward, Okla. (Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Tourism Department) / (Click for larger image)

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Town of Maysville
The Town of Maysville is taking applications for full time
police officer, Cleet Certified preferred. Apply at
...>MORE

The City of Pauls Valley
The City of Pauls Valley is accepting applications for a full-time position (40 hours per week)
for a Maintenance J
...>MORE

The City of Pauls Valley
The City of Pauls Valley is accepting applications for an E911-Police Dispatcher. This position
includes shift wor
...>MORE

Washita Valley Living Center
Now taking applications for C.N.A.'s 3-11 and 11-7. Please apply in person
at Washita Valley Living Center 105 Wash
...>MORE

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital
Arbuckle Memorial Hospital has immediate openings for RN's,
LPN's and Nurse Aides (FT, Flex, PRN) on all shifts. Ap
...>MORE

Purcell Municipal Hospital
ER/RN
Full time position in the emergency Department, 7:00p-7:00am, 3 varied shifts, Full benefits & every other we
...>MORE

Washita Valley Living
Accepting applications for C.N.A's on 3:00-11:00pm and LPN 3:00-11:00
Also LPN for weekends doubles. Please apply<
...>MORE

Purcell Municipal Hospital
PURCELL MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
LRCP
Fulltime position with
varied days & varied shift. Licensed Respiratory
...>MORE

Washita Valley Living Center
Washita Valley Living Center is currently seeking a part time person
to help in our activity department. Days will
...>MORE

Garvin County Community Living Center
Seeking dependable individual 40 hours per week, 8:00am to 4:00 pm. Paid lunch. Involves driving, delivering,
abil
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

••SELL YOUR CAR HERE••
Sell your car here. Call Wendy or Christie at 405-238-6464 for more information...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

Special Gov't Program!
Special Gov't Program! Zero Down if you own land or have Family land.
Bad credit ok. You're approved, we own the ba
...>MORE

Special Govt Program
Special Govt Program
Zero Down if own land or use family land.
Bad credit ok. We own the Bank.
$1000 furn
...>MORE

No Down Payment!
No Down Payment!
No Cash needed!
Just make payments!
Free Flat screen TV!
You are approved if you ow
...>MORE

GOT LAND?
GOT LAND? Or have family land? You're Approved 0
down! Singles, doubles, modulars. Free washer & dryer
thru Ma
...>MORE

Oak Creek Modular Homes
OAK CREEK MODULAR HOMES
full service Builder, finest quality, stem walls
Garages, decks, etc.
Go to www.o
...>MORE

Oak Creek Modular Homes
Full Service Builder, finest quality, stem walls
garages, decks, etc.
Will Custom Build-Call for Details
...>MORE

Special Govt Program
Special Govt Program
Zero down if own land or
use family land. Bad credit ok.
We own the bank. $1000
...>MORE

Call this AD!
Call this ad! No cost application over the phone! Zero down with land, even if it's not
paid off. Doubles, triples,
...>MORE

Special Govt Program
Zero down if own family land or
use family land. Bad credit ok.
We own the Bank. $1000 furniture
package
...>MORE

Oakwood Homes
No Payments until 2009 and free 50" Plasma tv w/purchase of new home through
this month. Zero down if you own land.
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index