Near Spencer in Owen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Company #589, Camp SP 4
The Civilian Conservation Corps at McCormick's Creek
Photographed By McGhiever, June 4, 2013
1. Company #589, Camp SP 4 marker
The primary mission of the CCC was to improve public land. The CCC also helped millions of unemployed young men during the Great Depression. The program provided and income, food, shelter, clothing, educational classes and recreation.
The Recreation Hall housed games, athletic equipment, a library, piano and radio for off-duty entertainment. Movies were shown here two times a month and dances were held one time a month. Academic and technical classes were conducted in the Recreation Hall.
"In my personal opinion [this camp] is surpassed by none that I have seen . . ."
Camp Inspector McVey, May 1934
The CCC Co. #589 was assigned to McCormick's Creek State Park from November 1933 - July 1935. While working on park projects, the CCC boys lived at the park. A camp was erected that included barracks, a mess hall, bathhouse and garage. Camp Na Wa Kwa and Camp McCormick were converted into officer's quarters, an infirmary and storage.
On March 18, 1993, the Recreation Hall, along with the Front Gatehouse and Stone Arch Bridge were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[Sidebar:] CCC Structure at McCormick's
this page online
Main Gate House
Fire Tower
Stone Arch Bridge
Beech Grov Shelter
Redbud Shelter
Concession Shelter
Tree Planting
Trail System
Road System
Over the years, the Recreation Hall has had many uses.
pre-1933, Open-sided Shelter for Purdue Engineering Camp
1933 - 1935 CCC Recreation Hall
1935 - 1970 Nature Center
1970 - 1998 Storage
1998-2004, Restoration
September 2004, Dedication
Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Entertainment • 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. 39° 17.495′ N, 86° 43.633′ W. Marker is near Spencer, Indiana, in Owen County. Marker can be reached from McCormick Creek Park Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spencer IN 47460, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Pedens: First Family of McCormick's Creek (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Springhouse (approx. 0.9 miles away); Owen County (Indiana) War Memorial
Photographed By McGhiever, June 4, 2013
2. CCC Recreation Hall with marker on right
More about this marker. Marker is in McCormick's Creek State Park, at the north end of the road loop around Canyon Inn. Marker is in front of the CCC Recreation Hall, near the trailhead for Trail 2.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
