The official Site of
Cabwaylingo State Forest
History
The Civilian Conservation Corps
Cabwaylingo State Forest is steeped in the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's and 1940's. The CCC camps including the one at Cabwaylingo were established to rebuild forested acres which in turn marks the beginnings of the West Virginia State Park system. During the 1930's, the hard working members of the CCC built log cabins with stone fireplaces, the superintendent's residence, picnic areas, hiking trails and a fire tower. Many of these structures still exist, and are in use today. Examples of their labor can be found at the old CCC barracks which now serves as a 100 person group camp. Located near the campgrounds, the historical Tick Ridge Fire Tower, built in 1935, stands today as only one of less than a dozen fire towers still remaining but not operational in the State.
