Bear Brook State Park Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bear Brook State Park Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Historic District
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1/2 mi. from park entrance, 160 yds. S of Allenstown-Deerfield Rd., Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built by | Civilian Conservation Corps |
| Architect | United States Army |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000632 |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1992 |
The Bear Brook State Park Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Historic District is a special place in New Hampshire. It's the only work camp from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that is still standing in the state. You can find it inside Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown.
Today, the buildings at the camp are used for park offices and a small museum. This camp is thought to be one of the few CCC camps in the entire country that is still mostly complete. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Contents
What Was the Civilian Conservation Corps?
The Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, was a program started in the United States during the 1930s. This was a time called the Great Depression, when many people didn't have jobs. The CCC helped young men find work. They built parks, planted trees, and improved natural areas across the country. It was a way to help both people and the environment.
Why Was Bear Brook Park Important?
In 1935, the United States Forest Service bought the land that is now Bear Brook State Park. They wanted to turn this land, which wasn't good for farming, into a place for people to enjoy. This was part of a bigger plan to create jobs and new recreational areas.
Building the Camp
The 1123rd Company of the Civilian Conservation Corps arrived at Bear Brook in 1935. Their job was to build all the things needed for a new park. This included trails, picnic areas, and buildings. The young men lived in a camp with thirteen structures.
These buildings were made quickly and cheaply. They followed standard designs from the United States Army. The walls and roofs were made of pine wood covered with tarpaper. They didn't have strong foundations because they were meant to be temporary homes.
How Long Did the Camp Operate?
The CCC camp at Bear Brook was active from 1935 until 1942. That's when the CCC program ended. After that, the camp was used for one year by the United States Navy. Sailors on leave from their ships would stay there for recreation.
From Camp to Park Headquarters
After the Navy used it, the camp was given to the state of New Hampshire. The state decided to use the camp buildings for park staff. They became offices and homes for the people who worked at Bear Brook State Park.
The buildings were updated to be more permanent. They got new roofs and wooden siding. Their insides were changed to fit their new uses. Out of about fifteen original buildings, eight are still standing today. Many of the trees that the CCC planted have also grown big, providing shade.
One of the buildings now holds a small museum. It tells the story of the CCC and its work in the area. The Bear Brook camp is the only one of its kind left in New Hampshire. It's also one of the few CCC camps in the whole country that still has so many of its original buildings.
