Silver Falls State Park Civilian Conservation

Corps Interpretive Guide

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of

creative effort.” ~F.D.R.

“Conservation of our natural resources and conservation of

our human resources. Both are sound investments for the

FUTURE.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The only limit of our realization

of tomorrow

will be our doubts of today.” - F.D.R

C.C.C. at Silver Falls State Park 1935 - 1942

After the stock market crash of 1929 a quarter of the American population was unemployed, marking an infamous era known as The Great Depression. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in 1933 he enacted a slew of social programs known as “The New Deal.” Among these programs the Civil-ian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) was born.

Here at Silver Falls State Park, C.C.C. State Park No. 9 was put to work in 1935 building the infrastructures of the park we know today. Until 1942, there were 200 enrollees living and working at our park. The men stayed in barracks located at the current North Falls Group Camp. They constructed roads, trails (Canyon Trail), parking areas, rock walls, fire breaks, bridges, stairs, power and telephone lines, fences, pic-nic shelters, Silver Creek Youth Camp, South Falls Lodge, and Log Cabin. The park was logged heavily in the late 1800’s. The trees you see today are only about 70 years old, they are the product of the C.C.C. boys, who planted over 1 million trees!

Take a hike, enjoy the splendor of the falls, the abundance of green forest, the fresh air—THANK the boys of the C.C.C, whose hard work built our park on merely a dollar a day!

Take the Self Guided Tour!

1. North Falls Group Camp The enrollees stayed in Barracks located here.

They awoke to a trumpet each morning—bright and early! On July 1st, 2007 a memorial statue will be dedicated to commemorate the hard work of

the C.C.C.

2. Youth Camp/Camp Silver Creek Completed in 1939, the cabins you see today are the original buildings built by the C.C.C. Does this rustic style look familiar? Many other parks across the Nation were built in this Adirondack- style by the C.C.C. ( Crater Lake, Camp David,

Timberline, among others)

3. Historic South Falls Lodge Completed in 1940, beautiful South Falls Lodge is among the original structures built by the C.C.C.

The lodge was hand built with raw materials taken from the park. The tables you see today were constructed with two Myrtle Wood trees

(California Laurel). They were designed by Margery Hoffman Smith, a W.P.A. employee who also decorated the interior of Timberline Lodge.

The South Falls Lodge served as a restaurant from 1946 to late 1950’s when it was closed. It

was restored and re-opened in 1978.

4. Historic Log Cabin The Log Cabin was initially built by the C.C.C. as the original Lodge. Today the Log cabin is used for Interpretive events. Just like the Lodge, the raw materials that made this cabin were taken

from the park.

5. Historic Stone Shelter

Located adjacent to the Lodge, the historic stone shelter is undergoing restoration. A skilled stone mason, restoration carpenters, and team of park

employees are restoring the shelter using the same techniques the C.C.C did when building it

70+ years ago.

6. Trail of Ten Falls/Canyon Trail

The C.C.C. laid this nationally recognized trail using hand tools, muscle and heart! If you enjoy hiking, waterfalls and rushing rivers this trail is a

great way to spend a few hours in awe!

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