Singletary Lake State Park – Kelly NC

Description

“In 1936, through a federally financed work program, the National Park Service bought portions of the land surrounding Singletary Lake for a recreational demonstration project. One of two projects in North Carolina, the federal government purchased the land at an average cost of $4.51 per acre.

The land was managed by the Resettlement Administration until 1939, and during this period resettlement workers and local residents constructed Singletary Recreation Center, which included an office, maintenance building and recreation facilities. In addition, using local talents and materials, an infirmary building, ten cabins, a dining and recreation hall, and a workshop—a fully operational group camp—were also constructed.

The property was turned over to the state of North Carolina on July 1, 1939, for operation under a lease agreement. When Singletary Lake State Park opened that summer, it was used by Boy Scouts, 4-H clubs and similar organizations.”   (https://www.ncparks.gov)

Much of the park construction was done by men from CCC Camp 4482. A plaque at the park commemorates this work. “The cabins built by the CCC became Camp Ipecac which is still in use by large groups like the Boy Scouts of America and 4-H.”   (wikipedia)