Cherry Springs Picnic Pavilion
Why it's listed
Built of logs in the rustic style, the picnic pavilion at Cherry Springs State Forest sits within Susquehannock State Forest in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Its H-plan layout has corner posts, white cement chinking, and an open porch formed by the hyphen, with log roof supports. The partially enclosed ends contain large stone fireplaces and chimneys on one gable end, and the roof is cross-gabled. The Civilian Conservation Corps, working from Camp S-88 at Denton Hill or Hyman's Run, developed the surrounding picnic area between September 1933 and late 1941. The pavilion is regarded as part of the New Deal relief effort, a federal and state partnership that built many state park facilities. Its design follows National Park Service ideas of buildings that blend with the natural setting, and the work also provided jobs for thousands of young men during the Depression. The pavilion has served as a recreational facility for roughly fifty years.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the pavilion is significant for its association with Civilian Conservation Corps emergency conservation work, part of the New Deal relief effort, and for its architecture. It is described as an example of the rustic style promoted by the National Park Service, using local natural materials and designed to blend with the landscape. It is also linked to the federal and state cooperation that produced outdoor recreation facilities and to the humanitarian work that employed jobless young men during the Depression.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000052, listed May 11, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 8 mi. N of Carter Camp off PA 44, West Branch Township |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | May 11, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000052 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1933-1941 |
| Architect / builder | CCC Camp S-88 |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Pavilion in use as a picnic facility; condition recorded as excellent and integrity as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.66150, -77.82275 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000052.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q89259590
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.