Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Federal Arts Project (FAP), Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Description
The early development of Silver Falls State Park can be credited to several of the New Deal programs. A significant portion of the land for the park was purchased by the Federal Resettlement Administration (RA) c. 1935, and developed for recreational use through the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) between 1935 and 1942. During that period, a distinction was made between Silver Falls Park, which was accessible to the public, and the area designated as the Silver Creek Recreation Development Area (RDA), which was a special federal program designed to allow urban youth access to nature in a camp setting while at the same time reclaiming depleted lands from farmers and reforesting it for those camps. In 1948, the two areas were united as Silver Falls State Park and turned over to the State of Oregon for management.
The portion of Silver Falls State Park originally developed for public use occupies the northwestern portion of the current park’s boundaries as shown on the map below. The South Falls Historic District is at the heart of the Silver Falls Day Use Area today.
By 1935, the Resettlement Administration’s purchases along with land previously acquired by the State of Oregon amounted to 1258 acres. That year, CCC workers from CCC Camp Silver Creek constructed a 12×29 feet-long log comfort station. During 1936 – 1937, they undertook construction of a 33×54 feet-long stone community kitchen. The stone for the community kitchen came from a local quarry. Today those two buildings are referred to as the Nature Store and Community Kitchen respectively, and they contribute to the character of the South Falls Historic District with their rustic design and natural setting among the native fir…