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 Growden Heritage Site Rest area - Republic, WA Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 48° 35.111 W 118° 18.321
11U E 403734 N 5382166
Growden Camp was created as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) forest camp in 1937, the purpose being to create both work and a recreational lake.
Waymark Code: WMRNC3
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 07/12/2016
Views: 2
The lake created at the camp was Sherman Lake, on Sherman Creek. It was to be a small recreational lake about a half mile long set in wilderness along the mountain road that eventually became Sherman Pass Scenic Byway. A 150' long, 25' high, 16' wide dam was built on the creek by the CCC in 1937, creating the lake and camping facilities were to be built at the site. Unfortunately, World War II intervened and the focus of the government shifted from the CCC to harvesting timber for the war effort. As a result the camp was closed in 1939.
One unforeseen problem with the lake was that, by the 1950s it began to silt up as a result of the slowing of water flow in the creek below the dam. So, in 2006 it was decided to remove the dam. The creek was returned to, as much as was possible, its original state. The only remnants from the camp and the dam are the changing house, built in 1937, and the concrete frameworks from the spillway, now resting beside the creek as benches. The changing house has been restored and moved to its present location from the west end of the lake.
The site is now maintained as the Growden Heritage Site Rest Stop, about 10 miles west of Kettle Falls, with informational plaques along a short trail, highlighting the various aspects of what the viewer experiences along the trail. Among one group of signs is a bronze sculpture which represents one of the hundreds of CCC enrolees who toiled at the camp, while nearby is another sculpture of a pair of high topped work boots. We will postulate that these boots were placed on this boulder to keep them high and dry while their owner, one of the dozens of CCC workers at the camp in 1939, went for a dip in the lake which he had help create.
As well as washrooms at the east end of the parking area, there are a few picnic tables here and there, but no conveniences or services, such as vending machines, food kiosk or even a telephone. It's a great place for a quiet picnic and a break from the road, though.
Highway Number: State Highway 20
Common Name for the Highway: Sherman Pass Scenic Byway
Highway Access Direction: Either Direction
Rest Area Name: Growden Heritage Site
Facilities:
picnic tables
Services:
No Food, No services, bring your picnic lunch
Special Features:
Historical markers, sculptures, CCC camp with old changing house, built in 1937
WiFi: no
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