September 10, 2010
Governor also praises State Parks Youth Corps workers who have earned national recognition for preservation, education efforts
Gov. Nixon visits Camp Pin Oak, emphasizes importance of rebuilding historic dining lodge destroyed by fire
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- For more than 70 years, the dining lodge at Camp Pin Oak was a gathering place for families and youth from across Missouri. Its large stone fireplaces, rustic front porch, and distinctive light fixtures were among the finest examples of Civilian Conservation Corps construction in the 1930s, and they created lasting memories for generations of Girl Scouts, FFA members and other youth.
In a single night, however, fire destroyed the entire lodge. The massive chimneys are all that stand today.
One week after the fire, Gov. Jay Nixon visited the lodge today to survey the damage and discuss the importance of rebuilding the historic structure.
"For generations, Camp Pin Oak has been a place for Missouri youth to experience nature, learn valuable skills and create lasting memories," Gov. Nixon said. "Spending time in nature is a life-changing experience for young people, and places like Camp Pin Oak are vital. As a state, we must be committed to looking for the means to rebuild this structure quickly and correctly to preserve its history and allow future generations to benefit from the Camp Pin Oak experience."
Camp Pin Oak was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1934 and 1938. At that time, the camp was part of the National Park Service's Lake Ozark Recreational Demonstration Area. The camp, along with other CCC buildings in the state park system, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Camp Pin Oak was the only one of the group camps at Lake of the Ozarks that had survived to the present without any major changes.
The Camp Pin Oak dining lodge was considered one of the finest examples of CCC buildings throughout state park system because of its rustic architecture and craftsmanship. The lodge featured a stone foundation, large stone fireplaces, a rustic front porch and light fixtures with the oak leaf motif. The lodge was designed by the National Park Service and often reminded visitors of the grand lodges found in national parks.
Camp Pin Oak has been used by many organized youth groups, including the Girl Scouts, since 1938. The Girl Scouts used the camp every summer until 2004. Today, many church groups, church youth groups, the Future Farmers of America, and other groups bring youth from all over Missouri - and even internationally - to use the camp. Many families also use Camp Pin Oak as a site for reunions and gatherings.
"Camp Pin Oak is an important piece of Missouri history, and it's also a vital pillar of our state park system," Gov. Nixon said. "We will rebuild this beautiful lodge to ensure that Camp Pin Oak remains a special place for another 70 years."
Joining Gov. Nixon for his visit today were youth workers from a modern version of the Civilian Conservation Corps: the Missouri State Parks Youth Corps. Established by Gov. Nixon earlier this year, the State Parks Youth Corps put approximately 1,000 youth to work this summer preserving, enhancing and interpreting state parks and historic sites across Missouri.
During his visit, the Governor saw several demonstrations of projects completed by youth workers this summer. At various parks, youth constructed or repaired trails, performed maintenance on buildings, led interpretive and educational programs, and assisted with archaeological digs and preservation of artifacts.
Just yesterday, the Missouri State Parks Youth Corps was recognized with the 2010 President's Award from the National Association of State Park Directors. This award honors extraordinary contributions at the state level to furthering the goal of a system of state parks.
In recognizing the State Parks Youth Corps, the national association called this initiative "a workforce for [Missouri's] state parks and historic sites unprecedented since work by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s."
"The young people who made the State Parks Youth Corps a success have helped preserve Missouri's natural and cultural history, and they'll be our state's conservation leaders in the future," Gov. Nixon said. "I am extremely proud of the work they have accomplished this summer. Our entire state is a better place because of their dedicated work."