The View that Launched a Park

The View that Launched a Park. Rebuilding a Nation - Building a Park. Before this land became a national park, this spot was recognized for its dramatic beauty. The area's future was uncertain-would it become a state park? A national park? A recreation area? No one knew yet, but they did known one thing: this view was special. , In 1937, with the ultimate designation of the land still undecided and the scenic road not yet completed, construction began on the overlook shelter. The building was designed to blend with the landscape so the scenery would always be the focal point of this fantastic view. , River Bend Overlook , The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a 1930s and 40s public works relief program. The CCC was intended to was the impact of the Great Depression by putting young men to work conserving the nations natural resources. , Spread across every state in the county, more than 3 million CCC enrollees went to work. They planted trees, developed lands for recreation, built flood barriers, fought fires, and more. Their legacy lives on today in our nation's parks and public lands. , Two CCC camps were established to develop the park's North Unit (1934-1937) and two camps operated in the South Unit (1934-1937 and 1939-1941). The River Bend Overlook is one of several CCC-built structures still in use within the park.