A Project Map of Starved Rock State Park Camp La Salle Dsp No. 2 by (STARVED ROCK STATE PARK / CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS) - 1934

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Interior, 1934. 4to (11" X 8½"). Near fine. A small and simple map of this most popular of all Illinois state parks -- and one of the first projects of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), founded in 1933 as one of FDR's "New Deal" make-work agencies. Small "Legend" elaborates "Main Foot Trails," "Park Property Lines," "Edge of Cliff" and "Outline of Tree Groups," while dozens of tiny circles doted throughout the length of it each contains a number within that "indicates percentage of work completed...." Columns at lower right record "Checked by Date," "Recomended [sic] for Constr. Date" and "Approved for Constr. Date," each followed by a specific 1934 date and facsimile signatures of various officials. This project was first begun in 1933 by CCC Camp 614 from Jefferson Barracks Military Post, Missouri -- about 200 men (including rarely-seen African-Americans) who constructed benches, shelters and trails. Camp 1609 from Fort Sheridan, Illinois soon joined them and they worked on the large lodge, other log structures and the parking lot. In 1934 Camp 614 was replaced by Camp 2601, also from Fort Sheridan, and they constructed the bridge. This map is identified as "Sheet No. 1." Scarce and likely not intended for public consumption, thus produced in a small number. A most unusual and early CCC product.