Civilian Conservation Corps Cherry Springs State Park

as timber exhausted , land burned, many companies abandoned holdings. in 1897 the pennsylvania general assembly passed legislation authorized purchase of unseated lands forest reservations , first pennsylvania state forest lands acquired following year. first land susquehannock state forest acquired in 1901; cost major acquisitions average of $2.50 per acre ($6.18 per ha). equivalent $49 per acre ($121 per ha) in 2017 terms. of 2003, susquehannock state forest, entirely surrounds park, covered 265,000 acres (107,000 ha), chiefly in potter county small tracts in clinton , mckean counties.

the park traces existence 1922, when pennsylvania department of forestry established 3 scenic areas in state forests part of plan retaining natural beauty . 1 of these 6.5-mile (10.5 km) cherry springs scenic drive on old coudersport-jersey shore turnpike. same year, 1 of 16  class b public campgrounds in state forests located on cherry springs drive. these campgrounds free public use , had potable water, picnic tables, fireplace, garbage can, , latrine. land hotel sat purchased state in 1932.

like many state parks in north central pennsylvania, development of facilities @ cherry springs work of civilian conservation corps (ccc), work relief program young men unemployed families. established in 1933 as part of president franklin d. roosevelt s new deal legislation, ccc designed combat unemployment during great depression. operated in every u.s. state, , established ten ccc camps in susquehannock state forest, of 8 in potter county.

cherry springs home ccc camp s-136-pa, established on may 27, 1933. according camp s 1936 history: through efforts of [ccc] enrollees cherry springs park, formerly clearing, has been transformed park of people of potter county can proud of. [sic] historic recreation of original tavern built, rifle range, picnic tables , shelters, roads, , hiking trails. young men of ccc camps worked clear brush woods fire prevention measure. after clearing woods, planted stands of norway spruce , white pine, apple orchard. camp-136-pa closed on july 10, 1937.

the other ccc-built picnic pavilion has hexagonal roof , in camping area.

men ccc camp s-88-pa, based @ nearby lyman run in potter county, active in park. in 1939, built structure @ cherry springs largest , unique of ccc-built picnic pavilions in state, , listed on national register of historic places. pavilion overlooks pa route 44 and shaped h, 2 partially enclosed structures (the vertical lines of h) connected breezeway (the horizontal bar). breezeway roof supported 8 log columns log railings. ends of pavilion built log walls white chinking, log cabins. each end has large opening breezeway in 1 wall, while other 3 sides enclosed large window in wall facing highway, stone fireplace , chimney on opposite wall, , door flanked windows on wall opposite breezeway.

a 1984 survey of pennsylvania state parks found 3 picnic pavilions, , associated latrines @ cherry springs typical of smallest day use areas constructed ccc . these pavilions examples of rustic style built ccc in state parks throughout great depression. local materials used in way minimized impact on natural surroundings, , in manner resembled building style of pioneer settlements of appalachian mountains.

in addition 2 ccc camps active @ park, cherry springs home camp elliott, run pennsylvania department of forests , waters (precursor department of conservation , natural resources (dcnr)) college students , other unemployed men. in 1935 they built airfield, cherry springs intermediate field, north of park. 40-acre (16 ha) airfield built emergency landings , later became small airport. in 1936 it had sod runway of dimensions 2,400 500 feet (730 150 m), , hangar. united states entry second world war led end of ccc , camps closed summer of 1942.