Oconee State Park Historic District
National Register Listing
Street Address:
624 State Park Rd., Mountain Rest, SC city vicinity (Oconee County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817737015
Description and Narrative:
Oconee State Park is significant for its association with the Great Depression era efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to protect South Carolina’s natural areas through conservation and recreational development while providing job opportunities for unemployed American men. In addition, the park embodies the rustic architecture and landscape aesthetic, inspired by the National Park Service and United States Forest Service, and implemented by the CCC in the construction of state and national recreational parks during the Great Depression. The Oconee State Park Historic District contains 63 contributing resources and 60 non-contributing altered, deteriorated, or modern resources. Most of the contributing resources are arranged around a man-made swimming lake and include vacation cabins, a bathhouse, a central administrative building, two residences and two picnic shelters. The park is a forest dominated by hardwoods and pine. The topography is characterized by two man-made lakes and a number of small creeks and springs. The existing layout of the park remains faithful to the original design laid out by the CCC between 1936 and 1942. Although alterations have been made to the park since the end of the period of CCC involvement, most of the buildings and other park features remain intact today, in form, location, and function. Listed in the National Register June 16, 2004.
Period of Significance:
1935;1942
Level of Significance:
State
Area of Significance:
Conservation;Entertainment/Recreation;Landscape Architecture;Architecture
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
June 16 2004
