Big Sur Sites

A concrete bridge on former State Route 56 (now State Route 1, the Cabrillo Highway) built with federal funds to the tune of $90,000. A date stamp at each end says 1938.

$75,000 in federal funds constructed this steel and concrete bridge over Burns Creek on former State Route 56, now State Route 1 (Cabrillo Highway) in Big Sur, California, near the location of the famous Esalen Institute.

A concrete arch bridge built on former State Route 56 (today State Route 1 the Cabrillo Highway) under a federal grant of $40,000.

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  The CCC enrollees built four comfort stations (restrooms) constructed of river stones.  Three are shown in the photos here. All the stone restrooms are still in operation. There are several other wood restrooms that could be the work of the...

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  Probably the most impressive structure built by the CCC enrollees is the road bridge across the Big Sur river to Weyland campground. It consists of two huge stone piers and a deck of redwood logs supported by steel cables....

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  The CCC enrollees built the original Main Camp and the Weyland campground, though both have probably been expanded since.  Original tables with stone footings and stone camp stoves can still be found scattered through these campgrounds. The Main Campground is...

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 after the state parks commission acquired the land in 1933.  The enrollees worked out of Camp Big Sur from 1933 to 1941.  We believe Camp Big Sur was located either at the present Main Campground or at the Group Picnic Area. The CCC built campgrounds, picnic areas, a campfire center, and several stone restrooms (comfort stations). They also constructed the main lodge with a post office and cabins.  To this, they added a park headquarters and administration...

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  The most important building constructed by the CCC enrollees is the Big Sur Lodge, which still stands just inside the main entrance to the park. The front portion of the building has been replaced, however, making the lodge appear...

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  The CCC enrollees built a number of functional buildings for park maintenance, which are clustered at the far end of the main road where they are partially hidden behind a high, earthen berm.  We were not able to determine...

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 built three picnic areas (A, B and C) beyond the main campground. These feature picnic tables with stone bases and some stone cook stoves, as well as  and C two large picnic shelters,  a barbecue pit, and a...

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  Although Engbeck (2002) does not mention it, the softball field next to the Group Picnic Areas must have been built by the CCC enrollees.  It is typical of ball fields built in parks all over the country by the...

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 always specify exact dates for each improvement.  The CCC enrollees built a lovely home for the park warden (head ranger) near the entrance to the park. It is constructed in classic "park rustic" style with a stone foundation and craftsman wood structure above.   Next door stands...

One-and-a-half miles of the Roosevelt Highway (today Cabrillo Highway) between Molera's Ranch and Big Sur were constructed with a 24-foot-wide road financed by the National Industrial Recovery Act (N.I.R.A.). Start date: Jan. 1934; completion date: Jun. 1934.

A concrete bridge built on former State Route 56 (today State Route 1 the Cabrillo Highway) under a federal grant of $48,000.

Wildcat Creek bridge was built during the New Deal as part of the Big Sur highway project (former state highway 56, now state highway 1 or the Cabrillo Highway). It is one of several New Deal aided bridges and highway segments along the route.  Wildcat Creek bridge was probably begun just before the New Deal but was completed in mid-1933. The California coast highway was an ambitious project begun in the early days of automobiles and state highway building, in which California was a leader.  The first efforts to build the road took place in Southern California in the early 1910s....