Robber’s Cave State Park Dams – Wilburton OK

Description

The Works Progress Administration built dams at the Robber’s Cave State Park. The dams formed Lake Carlton, adjacent to the camping facilities built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Contributor note:

“The CCC built the park between 1933 and 1941 with cabins, hiking trails, campsites, shelters and roads. This was a joint effort of the National Park Service, the CCC, and the WPA who were brought in to construct dams to create three lakes. The WPA built a low water dam across Coon Creek forming a 58 acre reservoir. In addition, they built three additional low water dams across Forche Maline Creek and two more across Coon Creek. The 80-acre Lake Carlton was formed, as well as the Wayne Wallace Reservoir. The Park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.”

The marker at the site reads:

Civilian Conservation Corps
and
Robber’s Cave State Park
Wilburton, Oklahoma

This beautiful park was created between 1935 and 1941
by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps Company
1825. Members were primarily World War I veterans
who had participated in the major battles of that war
and two veterans of the Spanish-American War. There
were 140 married members with 410 children.

These CCC members built Oklahoma’s largest Boy Scout
Camp, erected 24 major creek dams for flood control
and increased fishing water, developed a 5,000 acre
preserve, planted pine seedlings, built the bathhouse,
cabins, trails, a 70-foot observation tower, and a dam
which created an 80-acre lake. The Company created
its own community completed with water, electric light
and telephone systems, laundry, barber-shop, and ex-
change building.

CCC members were paid $30 per month, of which $25
was sent home. They also received housing, food, medical
and dental care as well as educational benefits.

Members of Company 1825 left a permanent memorial
to the service of its members in the form of this beautiful
park which serves countless thousands each year.

Dedicated to the members
of CCC Company 1825
and the three million members
who served our nation
April 30, 1988
Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni Association
and
Oklahoma Historical Society