Genesee Falls in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lower Falls Camp SP-49

Letchworth State Park

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 24, 2014

1. Lower Falls Camp SP-49 Marker

Inscription. On this field stood the 24 buildings of Camp SP-49, one of four Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Letchworth State Park. In operation from July 1935 until October 1941, Camp SP-49 included a tree nursery of over 30,000 plants for use in landscaping the park. From 1944 until 1946, the camp housed German prisoners of war. After the war, the camp was razed for the construction of the Lower Falls Pool, which opened in 1950.

Many of the men who served in camp SP-49 went off to fight in World War II. The barracks, which they had built and lived in, were pressed into service as shelters for prisoners of war.

During World War II, the Camp SP-49 barracks were used to house German prisoners of war. This tie pin from a German military uniform was one of many items found after the barracks were taken down at the war's end.

Erected by Letchworth State Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1935.

Location. 42° 35.475′ N, 78° 0.644′ W.

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Marker is in Genesee Falls, New York, in Wyoming County. It is on Cabin Areas A and B Road 1.2 miles east of the north-south main Park Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located within Letchworh State Park. Marker is on the road to cabin areas A and B and the CCC statue. It is not a through road. The road to the marker is off the main north-south park road between the Visitor Center and the Castile Entrance to the park. Pass cabin area B and the closed swimming pool. It is before cabin area A. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Castile NY 14427, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Finger Lakes.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

Photographed by Bruce Kelly, August 31, 2021

2. Lower Falls Camp SP-49 Marker

Many of the men who served in Camp SP-49 went off to fight in World War II. The barracks, which they had built and lived in, were pressed into service as shelters for prisoners of war.

Life in Lower Falls Camp 49 (here, next to this marker); The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (a few steps from this marker); CCC Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lower Falls Footbridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Life and Leisure in a CCC Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5 (approx. ¾ mile away); The Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of Camp 23, Sp 5 - Letchworth State Park's first camp (approx. 0.9 miles away).

Also see . . . Exploring Letchworth State Park History. (Submitted on August 3, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Photographed by Bruce Kelly, August 31, 2021

3. Lower Falls Camp SP-49 Marker

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 24, 2014

4. Lower Falls Camp SP-49 Marker

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 24, 2014

5. Lower Falls Camp SP-49 Marker

From the main park road, the CCC statue/Cabin Areas A&B road comes from the background into this view. The closed pool and a playground are beyond the marker on the right in this view. The cars parked at the left are in front of the CCC statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 823 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. 4, 5. submitted on August 3, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.