Near Portage in Livingston County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Letchworth State Park's first major CCC project
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 4, 2021
1. Letchworth State Park's first major CCC project Marker
This sign is part of the Letchworth State Park CCC Legacy Pathway honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1942), a federal works project designed to relieve unemployment and conserve natural resources during the Great Depression. The "Barracks Grounds Cabin and Picnic Area" (now the Parade Grounds and Cabin Area D) was the first major CCC project in Letchworth State Park. Once the site of a Civil War Training Camp, William Pryor Letchworth had purchased this property in 1887. Although it was part of the original 1000-acre estate Letchworth donated to New York State, the land remained undeveloped until the Big Bend Camp 23 was established in 1933. Enrollees from the camp cleared the land, built ten cabins, and constructed the picnic area by the fall of 1934.
Erected 2021 by The CCC Legacy Pathway at Letchworth State Park was supported with funding from NYS Park and Trail Partnership Program (NYSPTPP) and the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. NYSPTPP is administered by Parks and Trails - New York, in partnership with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Presentation.
Topics and series.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 4, 2021
2. Marker Detail
Big Bend (or Great Bend) Camp 23 was the first CCC Camp in Letchworth Park. It was located about three miles down the East Park Road at Cabin Area E. Enrollees from this camp developed what is now the Parade Grounds and Cabin Area D.
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Location. 42° 35.013′ N, 78° 1.915′ W. Marker is near Portage, New York, in Livingston County. Marker is on Parade Grounds Rd, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Letchworth State Park, at the east side of the Genesee River section - about a half mile from the entrance on RT436. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hunt NY 14846, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civil War Parade Ground (here, next to this marker); Camp Portage (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First New York Dragoons / 136th New York Infantry (about 500 feet away); Parade Grounds picnic area (about 600 feet away); Glacial History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pages of Geologic Time (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hornby Lodge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Seh-Ga-Hun-Da (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portage.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 4, 2021
3. Photo Detail
In addition to constructing the East Park Road along an ancient portage, enrollees built stone walls, overlooks, and over 1700 feet of chestnut guard rails. The East Park Road leads to Cabin Area E and the site of Camp 23.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 4, 2021
4. Marker Detail
The centerpiece of this initial CCC development project was the Parade Grounds Shelter. The 29' X 52' structure, built of chestnut logs with a native stone chimney and floor, is still in use today.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 4, 2021
5. Marker Detail
A CCC crew drag a large boulder to the newly developed Parade Grounds to hold memorial plaques for the Civil War regiments who trained here. Moved into place in 1934, the boulder still stands on the Parade Grounds today.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 4, 2021
6. Letchworth State Park's first major CCC project Marker
Location is next to - Civil War Parade Ground
1862 - 1865 marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 15, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
