- City:
- Elkins, WV
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Paths and Trails, Campgrounds and Cabins, Picnic and Other Facilities
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
- Started:
- 1933
- Completed:
- 1937
Description
According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce:
“Completed and opened in 1937, Stuart Recreation Area is one of four developed recreation areas built by the CCC. Known locally as “Stuart Park,” it became the centerpiece of a large recreation complex built with CCC labor that also included Bickle Knob. Designed by MNF recreation planner H.T. Stoddard, Stuart’s landscaping plan called for large open grassy fields, winding wooded trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, rustic picnic shelters with the central swimming area found along the banks of Shaver’s Fork. Today, the open fields and the historic CCC-built administrative building along with two CCC-built rustic log picnic shelters continue to draw visitors.”
Source notes
West Virginia Department of Commerce, “Stuart Recreation Area,” https://www.wvcommerce.org/travel/travelplanner/attraction/Stuart-Recreation-Area/6549/default.aspx, accessed June 9, 2014.Site originally submitted by Brent McKee on June 9, 2014.
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Stuart Recreation Area was purchased from my family in the late twenties with the power of eminent domain. Something I haven’t seen in print. Just FYI. Our family still retained over 600 acres across the Shavers Fork River to the west. The existing fields at Stuart’s were hay meadows back in the day and were cut by scythe and horse drawn mowing machine later in years. It’s been told from one generation to the next, of the Webley’s were the first white family to settle on the Shavers Fork River flowage. My Father tells me of stories of his father hiding chickens from the Indians under their grainery. 6 foot deep and a 10 by 10 hiding spot. Ok. I’ve gone on long enough. Thank you.