Halfway Lake Dam
Why it's listed
Built in 1933 by Civilian Conservation Corps Camp S-67, the reinforced concrete dam across Halfway Run impounds Halfway Lake, the centre of recreation in what is now R. B. Winter State Park in Union County. Its face is clad in rusticated stone, a treatment chosen to give the structure the natural, pioneer-inspired appearance promoted by the National Park Service for park buildings. It was one of the first projects undertaken by the camp and was the first concrete and stone dam the CCC constructed, a design that set a precedent for many later CCC dams. The dam illustrates the New Deal's Depression-era relief work, which employed large numbers of young men, and the cooperation between state and federal government on state-owned property. For roughly fifty years it has served as a recreational facility, and it reflects the federal effort to build outdoor recreation sites across the country.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the dam is significant as the first concrete and stone dam built by the CCC, a design precedent for later CCC dams. It is associated with Emergency Conservation Work under the New Deal and reflects the rustic architectural philosophy promoted by the National Park Service. It is also cited for its recreational purpose and for its representation of state-federal cooperation on state-owned land.
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 87000046, listed May 11, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 16 mi. W of Lewisburg on PA 191, Lewisburg |
|---|---|
| County | Union County |
| Listed | May 11, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000046 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1933-1942 |
| Architect / builder | CCC Camp S-67 |
| 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) | Used as a recreational facility for approximately fifty years; the form describes it as the prime focus of the park's recreational facilities. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.99003, -77.18943 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 87000046.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q98844075
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.