Stories in Log and Stone: The Legacy of the New Deal in Minnesota State Parks

by David R. Benson

Minnesota State Parks has collected the stories and photos of the CCC, WPA, and VCC "boys" and published the book, Stories in Log and The Legacy of the New Deal in Minnesota State Parks. The 125-page book contains more than 170 photos and focuses on the lives of the men who worked in these camps. The book also provides a travel guide for readers to visit the hundreds of structures that remain in 27 Minnesota State Parks, including some of the most impressive buildings, bridges, dams and trails in the state. From the ashes of the Great Depression, the most popular agencies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal arose to give meaningful conservation work to millions of unemployed Americans. In the short span of ten years (1933-1943), these groups planned parks, built roads, fought forest fires, battled erosion, and constructed stone and log buildings that are still in use today.

125 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mark Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories in Log and Stone: The Legacy of the New Deal in Minnesota State Parks, by David R. Benson, 2002. Very much enjoyed reading this book, which has re-generated in me my interest in visiting Minnesota’s state parks. Benson tells the story of the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the first months of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first term as President, one of the biggest successes of the New Deal. Also described is the work in Minnesota State Parks of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which employed 8,000,000 Americans during its 8-year history; the Veterans’ Conservation Corps (VCC) for World War I Veterans (which I knew nothing about), and the National Youth Administration (NYA). The book is full of great pictures of the people and their work from the 1930s.

These public efforts employed the unemployed for public works – building trails and roads, erecting park buildings and bridges from native stone and timber, and fighting fires and deforestation. Their legacy is still abundantly present across Minnesota.

The book focuses on the state parks, on which several of the CCC, VCC, NYA, and WPA camps were located, and where a lot of work was done. The last section of the book details the New Deal work done in about 30 Minnesota State Parks, from water fountains and water towers to beach houses, picnic shelters, and bridges. I’m looking forward, the next time I visit St. Croix State Park, or Scenic, or Whitewater, or Old Mill, or Sibley, or Gooseberry Falls, to find and spend time admiring their handiwork in log and stone.

The book got me to look up something else which was of further interest. The Elba Fire Tower, reached by a 660-step staircase and then a 100 foot climb up the tower itself, perched on a ridge above the Whitewater Valley, was built by the CCC in 1936. As many times I’ve made that climb (most recently with friends from the 11th Hour Project in August 2016), that is something I never knew. I appreciate it even more, now.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about the history of the state parks in MN and the structures built by young men employed through The New Deal. Author David Benson’s writing is straight forward with lots of compelling details. This is a book I will go back to from time to time for little tidbits of information! It has a home on my side table at the lake.

[Anne Nerison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting overview of the work done on Minnesota's state parks during the New Deal era. During the Great Depression, FDR pushed to create nationwide programs that would employ those who otherwise couldn't find work and give them something worthwhile to do. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) is perhaps the most well known of these, but the book also touches on work the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC), Works Progress Administration (WPA), and National Youth Administration (NYA) did in the state. The first section of the book focuses on how the corps' were created, the day-to-day life in the camps, and the kind of work the men did. The second section gives a brief overview of where to find some of the remaining structures in Minnesota.

I've been to enough state parks and am enough of a history nerd to know that the CCC and other organizations were vital in creating some of the infrastructure that we use even today in state and national parks, but it was nice to get more information about what exactly they did in Minnesota. They were a lot more widespread here than I thought, having camps in literally every corner of the state. I also enjoyed the many photographs from the time, as well as the memories from men who were employed in the various corps.

I can't believe this book has been out since 2003 and I've just now come across it. I'm always happy to learn more about our state parks, and I'll definitely use the second part as reference in upcoming trips.

[Grandma Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Civilian Conservation Corps, one of many parts of the New Deal under FDR, gave thousands of people jobs during the Depression. Their legacy can still be seen all over the United States--millions of trees planted, roads built, buildings in state parks constructed, etc. This book concentrates on Minnesota and its state parks. Whenever I am at one of their log/stone buildings/walls--I place my hand on it, feel their spirit and say "thank you".

[Beth Dugan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the young men who built our parks.