Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Water System - Big Sur CA

State:: CA
Site Type:: Parks and Recreation, Water Supply
New Deal Agencies:: Work Relief Programs, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Started:: 1933
Completed:: 1941
Quality of Information:: Good
Marked:: No
Site Survival:: Partially 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 added a piped water system to the park to serve the campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, and park buildings, as well as providing fire protection.

The water system appears to still be functioning, with many intact stone drinking fountains, brass fixtures and fire standpipes.

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.