Portageville in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 15, 2021
1. Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5 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.
This was the location of the main gates of Big Bend/Great Bend Camp 23, SP (State Park) 5 from 1933 to 1935. The gateway can still be found today, marked by the concrete foundations that once held ornamental posts, as well as the pine trees planted along the entrance way. Passing through the gates, visitors would enter the camp's parade grounds still lined by trees planted in 1933. The enlistees' barracks were just beyond.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 42° 36.021′ N, 78° 0.162′ W. Marker is in Portageville, New York, in Wyoming County. Marker is on E Parade Grounds Rd north of Portage Street (New York State Route 436), on the right when traveling north. Located in the south eastern section of Letchworth State Park. Access is from the Parade Grounds entrance on RT-436.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Civilian Conservation Corps (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Camp 23, Sp 5 - Letchworth State Park's first camp (about 600 feet away); Lower Falls Camp SP-49 (approx. ¾ mile away); The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. ¾ mile away); CCC Statue (approx. ¾ mile away); Life in Lower Falls Camp 49 (approx. ¾ mile away); The Lower Falls Footbridge (approx. ¾ mile away); Life and Leisure in a CCC Camp (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portageville.
Also see . . .
1. Letchworth State Park. (Submitted on August 19, 2021, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Letchworth State Park (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 19, 2021, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 16, 2021
2. Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5 Marker
Looking up the pathway shown in the main gate photo. The 1933 planted trees line the sides, the concrete foundations are visible several feet in, on either side of the pathway.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 15, 2021
3. Marker detail
The main gate for Camp 23 SP5. The fancy iron work may have come from Letchworth State Park. Note the small pine trees planted on the outside of the pathway beyond the main gate.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 15, 2021
4. Marker detail
The two hundred men of Company 228 pose for a photograph after retreat. Groups of 40 enrollees were assigned to each of the five barracks seen behind them. They signed up for six-month periods, but many of these men spent as much as two years at the camp, leaving behind a rich legacy.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 15, 2021
5. Marker detail
This photograph was taken in October 1935. For several years it operated as a Works Project Administration camp. The buildings were razed in the fall of 1942.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, August 16, 2021
6. Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5 Marker
Looking north on E Parade Grounds Rd, in the distance to the right is E Cabin Rd intersection
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
