- City:
- Big Sur, CA
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Picnic and Other Facilities
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
- Started:
- 1933
- Completed:
- 1941
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Marked:
- No
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made extensive improvements to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on the central California coast, developing it for public recreational use. The state parks commission acquired the land in 1933, but had no funds for development. The CCC worked in the park from 1933 to 1941, but the sources do not specify exact dates for each improvement.
CCC enrollees built three picnic areas (A, B and C) beyond the main campground. These feature picnic tables with stone bases and some stone cook stoves, as well as and C two large picnic shelters, a barbecue pit, and a work table.
The adjoining parking area #4 was probably created by the CCC, as well.
The shelters are intact and a handful of tables and stone stoves are original, but many new tables and table-tops have been added over the years. The parking area has been paved.
Source notes
Joseph H. Engbeck, Jr., By the People, For the People: The Work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in California State Parks, 1933-1941. (Sacramento: California State Parks, 2002), pp. 89-94.
Site originally submitted by Richard Walker on February 19, 2023.
Additional contributions by Joan Greer.
At this Location:
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Development - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Campfire Center - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Water System - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Bridges - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Lodge and Cabins - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Warden's House - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Maintenance Buildings - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Restrooms (Comfort Stations) - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Campgrounds - Big Sur CA
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Softball Field - Big Sur CA
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