KILLINGWORTH — The quiet envelops Chatfield Hollow State Park.
Watch More
With winding hiking trails, a clear, sparkling pond that beckons swimmers and trout fishermen, picnic areas, wide lawns for recreation and paved roads meandering through the park, some 500,000 visitors enjoy the 412-acre oasis each year.
But the state park had humble beginnings in 1933 when some 250 members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) started to build a “recreation area” in Cockaponset State Forest.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the CCC and the Friends of Chatfield Hollow is grateful for their efforts.
“That state park wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the CCC,” said Cheryl Buckley, a Guilford resident and member of Friends of Chatfield Hollow.
East Hampton resident Martin Podskoch, who wrote “Connecticut, Civilian Conservation Corps Camps: History, Memories & Legacy of the CCC” gave a recent talk at the park. The 543 page book chronicles the history of these camps in the state.
More For You
Podskoch devotes one chapter to the history and legacy of Chatfield Hollow, complete with historical photographs.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“In Connecticut, we did have some state parks, but they (CCC) developed them further or developed them right from the beginning, like Chatfield Hollow,” said Podskoch.
The CCC encampment, now Chatfield Hollow, was known as Camp Roosevelt or Clinton Camp and was one of the 23 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in Connecticut from 1933 to 1942.
“Most of the parks that we have were developed by the CCC in just that nine-year period,” Podskoch said.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the CCC to create jobs for the unemployed during the Great Depression and to provide housing, income and free medical care for nearly 3.5 million young men.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
These workers were paid “$1 a day, $30 a month and $25 went straight home to the parents who needed the money and they (the young men) had $5 spending money,” said Podskoch.
The enrollees at Chatfield Hollow, pictured in the 1937 yearbook, hailed from all over the state, including New Haven, New London, Hartford, Middletown, Bridgeport, Chester, Groton and Meriden.
"Sometimes they would get a pass on Friday night...a lot of times boys in Connecticut would hitchhike home if they got a pass," Podskoch said.
Schreeder Pond, a popular seven-acre spot for swimming and trout fishing at Chatfield Hollow, was created by the CCC.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“Before that there was just this little stream,” said Podskoch. “They had the vision.”
“In 1934 enrollees began their largest project, the construction of an earth, stone, and masonry dam on Chatfield Hollow Brook that created Schreeder Pond,” Podskoch wrote.
At the same time, CCC workers also planted pine trees that frame the pond now, according to CT.gov. bit.ly/3nXRs1M.
The handsome Oak Lodge, on the west side of Schreeder Pond, is the only remaining structure from that time. Built in 1937, it was renovated in 2018.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The lodge was built with the help of “Local Experienced Men” or LEMs, “who would take a squadron of about 12 boys, and they would work on projects,” according to Podskoch.
The fireplace required some skilled labor, he said, noting the CCC would hire a mason for such projects.
“He was maybe unemployed, and he would work with the squad of boys and build the chimney and fireplace … and fireplaces throughout the state park,” added Podskoch.
A CCC Worker Statue, next to Oak Lodge, was dedicated in May 2019 and honors the work of the young men.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“To remind people why we have this beautiful state park,” said Podskoch. “Because of these young boys who worked really hard and planted trees, built the park, cut down trees, fought fires.”
The six-foot statue was made possible through $24,000 in donations.
Podskoch travels all over the country to talk about CCC’s importance in U.S. history.
“I just love the stories about the men and how they were so poor and they learned skills, maybe it was truck driving, maybe it was carpentry, masonry,” he said.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“The big thing is they were helping their family,” he said. “They were doing something worthwhile to help.”
“They built up our state parks and they planted over a billion trees throughout the whole United States,” he said.
“They fought fires,” he recounted. “Over a thousand fire towers built throughout the United States just in those nine years.”
In 1937, the CCC left Chatfield Hollow, which was designated as a state park in 1949.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The state park has a group of volunteers who support it.
Buckley continues to work with Friends of Chatfield Hollow to help maintain the park and to encourage visitors to enjoy all the park has to offer.
She spearheaded the renovation of Oak Lodge, which is considered one of the finest examples of CCC construction in the state, and the anticipated rehabilitation of the covered bridge.
“This park is so special…in its simplicity and beauty and history,” she said.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“The good thing is not much has changed and it’s perfect,” she said. “It’s a local treasure.”
“It’s like going back in time,” said Buckley. “It’s going back in time and it’s a sweet thing.”
In addition to the covered bridge, features at the park include challenging mountain bike trails, rocky overhangs used for rock climbing and caves. Other highlights are the 825-foot Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk that travels over an inland swamp and a restored water wheel.
State Sen. Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) was instrumental in assisting Buckley with bringing attention to the work required to save the covered bridge.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Cohen and her family have enjoyed visiting the park for many years, riding bikes and walking on the paved roads and enjoying Schreeder Pond.
“I just love when you come into the park how the trees kind of canopy over the walkway there,” Cohen said. “It just really seems magical, like a fairytale.”