- City:
- Toyahvale, TX
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Swimming Pools, Bathhouses
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
- Started:
- 1935
- Completed:
- 1940
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): 1856 CCC Camp SP-47-T operated in this corner of west Texas. The CCC developed Balmorhea State Park, and constructed its iconic pool, between 1935 and 1940.
Texas.gov:
CCC Company 1856 arrived here in July 1934. They first built barracks, a mess hall and a kitchen to support 130 to 200 men and their supervisors. This would be home for the next few years.
The CCC men crafted a 1.3-acre pool around the springs, along with a concession building, two bath houses, San Solomon Courts, and other improvements in the park. They used local limestone and fashioned adobe bricks for building materials.
After laboring all day, the men enjoyed evenings in the rec hall and an occasional baseball game, dance or play. Many worked on skills training or correspondence courses at night.
Source notes
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea/history
Site originally submitted by Evan Kalish on April 9, 2022.
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