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, with informational plaques along a short trail, highlighting the various aspects of what the viewer experiences along the trail.
The last standing remnant of the planned forest camp is this bathhouse, moved from its original site at the west end of the lake. Before the camp closed in 1939, the Colville National Forest planned to develop the site for public recreation. With the beginning of World War II, emphasis shifted away from recreation to producing timber in support of the war effort. The plans for Sherman Lake Forest Camp were abandoned. This structure remains as part of our nation's heritage, testament to the Civilian Conservation Corps and their historically significant contribution to our nation's conservation ethic.
From the historical marker near the changing house