CCC Shelter

The CCC Shelter is a picnic structure in Pokagon State Park with stone fireplaces anchoring both ends. The longer east and west sides remain open to allow views and movement while providing protection from the elements.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built this shelter between 1935 and 1936 as part of New Deal programs that created jobs during the Great Depression. The project represented one of many government initiatives that employed workers while improving parks for public use.

The structure reflects 1930s craftsmanship through its use of locally sourced materials and traditional building techniques that workers applied by hand.

The shelter sits in a convenient location within the park for group picnics and offers direct access to fireplace facilities. Visitors should know that the open-sided design means wind direction and weather conditions will vary the level of protection on different days.

Each stone in the fireplaces was shaped by hand using mallets and chisels by CCC workers to fit precisely into place. This handcrafted work remains visible today in how tightly the stones fit together, showing the care taken in constructing every detail.

Location: Steuben County

Architects: Civilian Conservation Corps

Architectural style: National Park Service rustic

GPS coordinates: 41.70988,-85.03490

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:06