The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) was established in March of 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the purpose of performing emergency conservation work, and helping to preserve the nation's heritage. This opportunity also offered employment to thousands of unemployed young men during the Great Depression. The C.C.C. reforested thousands of acres of land, built park roads, erected dams and bridges, restored historic sites, and fought forest fires nationwide.
Company 304 Camp S-59 of "Roosevelt's Tree Army," assigned to Swallow Falls State Forest, was organized in Baltimore on April 7, 1933 with 100 men on the roles. The company was the fourth company to be organized in the United States. Company 304 was sent to Virginia, Deer Park and Camp Ritchie, Maryland before moving to Swallow Falls on May 14, 1934. By October of 1934, barracks to house the men were erected and the company moved in and stayed at Swallow Falls until May 20, 1940. By July of that year, the C.C.C. was disbanded nationwide due to the country's dedication to the effort of fighting World War II.
Life in a C.C.C. camp resembled the regimented life on a military base of the time. The physical camp was also laid out in military fashion and consisted of four 50 man barracks, a kitchen, mess hall, recreation hall, army reserve officers and statesmen quarters, as well as supply buildings, garages and storage areas. The buildings were of pine lumber covered with tar paper and wood strips. The buildings were constructed in four foot sections for easy relocation when the camp moved.
In addition to their work duties, the men also received training for their social development and education. Five objectives were set for the men: elimination of illiteracy, development of a respect for and a responsibility to superiors, development of social relationship skills, development of good behavior, and learning the methods of securing a job. Basic reading, writing and math skills were taught along with specialized trades in areas such as forestry, bookkeeping, mechanical drafting, agriculture and business.
The standard wage was $30 a month with $25 of this wage going directly to the worker's families or parents. The work was hard and demanding and much of the legacy of that work is with us today. While they were in the area these men constructed the earthen dam at Herrington Manor, Herrington Lake, 10 log cabins, a water sewage system, bath house reservoir, and a pavilion at Swallow Falls. Despite the rigors of their CCC days, most veterans of the "Tree Army" looked back on those days as a positive, character building time of their lives. One Western Maryland veteran said "...I firmly believe the CCC's were the second best experience of my life. My wife was the first."
C.C.C. SITES AT HERRINGTON MANOR STATE PARK
Cabins one through ten are in a 20th century historic district reflecting the mid 1930's C.C.C. building style. The cabins are formed of rounded chestnut logs cut flat on their top and bottom surfaces and overlapping at the corners. The logs are placed against each other without any sort of chinking or daubing. There is no notching involved in the corner joints, which are secured with nails. The foundations consist of stone piers at the corners and at intervals along the walls. Including these historic cabins, a total of 20 logs cabins are available for year round vacation rental by reservation.
- Lake Concession -- Formerly a stone bathhouse on the shore of Herrington Lake, the bathhouse was a three bay structure built of coursed local stones. This building was renovated and added to in 1986. The original archways are now inside the present building.
- Restroom at the beach -- This was once the C.C.C. pump house. Now this building is a restroom facility.
- Earthen Dam and Lake -- Construction of the Herrington Manor Dam and Lake began on May 18, 1934. The dam was built of coursed stones brought to the site from the Swallow Falls area.
- Barracks -- Two barracks from Swallow Falls were disassembled in four foot sections and moved to Herrington Manor. These buildings are in use today as storage buildings and a lounge/display in the shop complex.
C.C.C. SITES AT SWALLOW FALLS STATE PARK
- Pavilion -- The stone and frame pavilion is located across from the parking lot.
- Camp office -- The camp office sits on its original site within Company 304's camp. This building was more likely one of the officer's headquarters. This structure's interior has been renovated but its exterior is the original chestnut.
- Restroom -- A stone restroom is located on top of the hill above the parking lot. This building is closed to the public.
- Dynamite Shed -- A small building located in the youth group campground, this shed was once used to store the camp's dynamite supply.
PARK LOCATION
Follow Rt. 70 west to Hancock, Md. and Rt. 68. Follow Rt. 68 west to exit 14 at Keysers Ridge and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.
Follow Rt. 270 west to Frederick and Rt. 70. Follow Rt. 70 west to Hancock, Md. and Rt. 68. Follow Rt. 68 west to exit 14 at Keysers Ridge and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.
Follow Rt. 68 east to exit 14 and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.
Follow Rt. 79 south to Morgantown, Wv. and Rt. 68. Follow Rt. 68 east to exit 14 and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.
Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls State Park
222 Herrington Lane
Oakland MD 21550
301-334-9180