prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa

The bathhouse was built between September 1934 and April 1935, while the boathouse was built between January and May 1935. The lake was created by the dam and spillways that were constructed from August 1933 to October 1934. Its historic buildings and structures include 17 cabins, pump house, two sets of trail steps, soil erosion dams, six parking areas, paved road, the site of CCC Camp 1756, bathhouse, boathouse, a wall, the beach, two drinking fountains, pit latrine, a sundial and bench, dam, and the sand filter bed. The park was part of a larger study of Iowa's state parks called the Civilian Conservation Corps Properties in Iowa State Parks: 1933-1942.Īrea A is located at the southern end of the park and around the 125-acre (51 ha) Backbone Lake on the Makoqueta River. Included within the boundaries of the larger historic district are 1,415 acres (573 ha), the geographical area of the park in 1942 when the CCC completed its development work. The other three mark three roads that were named for three individuals who were instrumental in establishing the park: State Senator Byron W. One of the markers commemorates the Daughters of the American Revolution of Iowa who planted 6,000 trees in the park.

The contributing resources include: the stone portals at the north entrance, two stone erosion control dams, an auditorium, two stone latrines, two sets of stone trail steps, a stone wall, two trout rearing ponds, the fish hatchery garage, two stone drinking fountains, a stone pumphouse, a stone lodge now used as a museum, a stone barn, and four commemorative markers. At that time an additional 31 resources were added when the historic district expanded, of which 21 are considered contributing properties. They were incorporated into a larger district the following year. They contain 70 contributing resources and are differentiated by function as described below. Three distinct areas of park were individually listed as historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990: Cabin-Bathing Area (Area A), Picnicking, Hiking & Camping Area (Area B), and Richmond Springs (Area C). Backbone became one of the largest and one of the most extensively developed parks in the state system. CCC Camp SP2 and Camp SP17 developed the overnight cabin and recreational area on the southern end of the park a picnic, hiking, and camping area in the center and Richmond Springs on the north end.

Two camps from the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program during the Great Depression, developed the park between 19.

One group saw the state parks as places that protected the natural areas, and the second group had a multiple-use philosophy of conservation. Tensions developed between two groups in the 1920s and the 1930s over development. ĭevelopment of the park was deferred until 1925, although trees were planted and planning for a roadway was begun in prior years. On May 28, 1920, Backbone was dedicated as Iowa's first state park. It took a little over a year for the purchase to be finalized. The State Board of Conservation, organized in December 1918, recommended buying the land at its first meeting. MacBride and members of the Iowa Park and Forestry Association thought of it as a prime location for a state park. Carr bought 1,200 acres (490 ha) in the 1890s to protect the Backbone Ridge from destruction. McGee, Thomas Macbride, and Samuel Calvin who visited it to study its ancient geologic formations. The area of the Devil's Backbone was a favorite of natural scientists such as W.J. The CCC constructed a majority of trails and buildings which make up the park. Backbone Lake Dam, a relatively low dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, created Backbone Lake. The initial 1,200 acres (490 ha) were donated by E.M. It is named for a narrow and steep ridge of bedrock carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River originally known as the Devil's Backbone. Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River, it is approximately three miles (5 km) south of Strawberry Point in Delaware County. Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park, dedicated in 1919.

Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa