Visitor center, Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
Description
Van Damme State Park in Mendocino County CA was purchased by the state of California for its newly-established state park system in 1934, after the death of the landowner, Charles Van Damme. As with so many of the original California state parks, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) moved in to develop the site for camping and recreation in the 1930s.
According to Engbeck, CCC Company 572 built a new access road and a water system, expanded the campground by adding tables, stoves, and cupboards, and added a picnic area. They also built a park staff residence and a community recreation hall, which now serves as the visitor center. There is also a campfire circle and trails up the Little River canyon, which were in all likelihood built by the CCC.
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Map Van Damme State Park camping areas - Little River CA
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Visitor center, Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
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Ranger house, Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
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Picnic area, Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
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Campfire circle, Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
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DSC_0782Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
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old bridge, Van Damme State Park - Little River CA
Source notes
Engbeck, Joseph H., 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
Project originally submitted by Shaina Potts on February 24, 2008.
Additional contributions by Richard A Walker.
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