Grafton Sites

"Pere Marquette Lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1939, opening for business in 1940 at a cost $352,912.00. The massive poles, as much as 3 feet in diameter, are douglas fir, western and pecky cypress. Limestone, which was taken from the Grafton rock quarry, was used in the construction of the cabins, the floor in the lodge, and the 700-ton stone fireplace, which dominates the Great Room and Restaurant. Illinois inmates constructed the furniture in the Lodge. The Civilian Conservation Corps did all of the metal work, such as the chandeliers, door handles, window locks, etc."  ...

"In the 1930s, with the advent of the Great Depression and with the nation’s natural resources in jeopardy due to poor environmental practices, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created. At Pere Marquette, the CCC built many buildings and shelters, fences, bridges, water reservoirs, foot and horse trails, riprap and streambank protection. Work was also done to create parking areas, campgrounds, and the clearing of overlooks and vistas. In addition, archeological and other types of surveying activities were conducted. Many of these CCC structures are still standing."   (https://www.greatriverroad.com) The heart of the park is the massive, CCC built Pere Marquette Lodge...