by Tonia, who hugs trees G.
Member since:
November 17, 2005

A Place to Rest

December 05, 2008 04:52 PM EST (Updated: December 05, 2008 04:58 PM EST)
views: 126 | comments: 42

There is a wonderful structure that was built in Devil's Den State Park as a WPA project. I find myself visiting it time and again, drawn to the workmanship and obvious pride that went into the construction of this humble rest stop.

 

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There is a plaque at the entrance that recounts the history of the building, and notes that should there ever be a Pulitzer Prize for a structure, this one would be nominated.
link to this page
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Comments: 42

Sue * Dec 5, 2008, 4:57pm EST
The images are so detailed. Your natural eye for a picture combined with a great camera allow us to see things we would never notice. This is a very interesting place.
Richard Frisbie Dec 5, 2008, 4:58pm EST
It's gorgeous. My father was in the CCC. They did paths and structures, too, but I haven't seen anything of this quality before. Thanks!
Becky L. Dec 5, 2008, 5:00pm EST
Thank you, Tonia, for your post and pictures. They brought tears to my eyes - contemplating on those who built it.... What were they like, were they laughing and joking while working, did they have wives and children waiting for them, did they anxiously await a paycheck for their labor?!?!?!? FDR was a genius to find such ways to give his constituents across the nation hope, respect, and a decent wage! The pictures spoke volumes to me....
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Dec 5, 2008, 5:10pm EST
This is not just a building, this is a work of art.

Just amazing.
Vicky Duggins Dec 5, 2008, 5:18pm EST
Like you, Tonia, I love these old WPA buildings and structures. There are some state parks and nature preserves within easy drive of St. Louis, probably the most impressive being Meramac State Park that has some beautiful stone bridges, buildings, and even cabins with native stone fireplaces all done by the WPA. Maybe we could benefit from something like the WPA again and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure while employing hundreds of thousands of people.
Sheryl O. Dec 5, 2008, 5:20pm EST
How beautiful, Tonia! I love wood and stone structures - and this was made with such artistry and obvious love. Thanks so much for sharing it with us, in all its glory!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Dec 5, 2008, 5:20pm EST
I love the rusticness of it... The solidity and the natural elements... SUPERB!!!
flit . Dec 5, 2008, 5:42pm EST
oh, I wish I could go and just sit there right now
JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Dec 5, 2008, 5:48pm EST
Thank you so much for sharing this peaceful (and seemingly sacred) place. I wish I had a place to go to like that. It's just lovely.
I can see why you keep going back there. It would certainly be a favorite place of mine, too.
Svetlana Goryacheva Dec 5, 2008, 6:12pm EST
Great photos, dear Tonechka - as always! Thank you! ;-)

Hugs and blessings - S.
Lance L. Dec 5, 2008, 6:20pm EST
Nice essay and some great shots of some vernacular architecture.
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Dec 5, 2008, 7:05pm EST
What a beautiful place, and what a loving chronicle! Hand-hewn wood, rough-laid stone, this place looks to have been built with the trees and stones that were right there at hand; those posts and beams are very obviously trees from the area, chopped down and smoothed with an adze. I'll be wiling to bet the WPA crew that built this were all folks from the area who had probably built their own homes and used the same skills to build this shelter. It reminds me of the days when the old Foxfire journals used to come out. Sharon's right, this is a much a piece of sculpture as it is a place to get out of the rain.

BTW, some of the way-shelters on the Appalachian Trail are like this, and they, too, were built by WPA and CCC crews.
Faith H. Dec 5, 2008, 7:20pm EST
I love the rustic beauty, almost Frank Lloyd Wright in their simplicity. Tonia, you've captured that perfectly with your artist's eye.
CC Miranda the artrat (or am i?) Dec 5, 2008, 7:47pm EST
it has such great character
Madame Donna C. Dec 5, 2008, 8:08pm EST
Aw, gee, you make me want to lead a song like, "This Land Is Your Land".

On a serious note, Charles bless whoever gave you that amazing camera to share with all of us. It gets better and better as you learn to use it as your eye.
Dannielle S. Dec 5, 2008, 9:12pm EST
Tonia has magical talents. Not only can she capture the soul of a location, she can get Donna to sing!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Dec 5, 2008, 10:18pm EST
What a great set of comments - it pleases me that you all find as much here as I do. It is a wonderful spot to just hang out and watch the turkey buzzards circling lazily in the sky. I haven't been able to get any decent shots of that - yet. I think there may be a telephoto lens in my future :)

Thanks everyone for coming by and adding your piece to this. And I agree - a program like the WPA may be in the bet interest of this country.
DesertDarlene L. Dec 5, 2008, 10:52pm EST
It looks wonderful. They just don't make things like they used to. I was thinking about artists and craftsmen used to have actual jobs in the past and really did some fine work.
Duckie 1 Dec 6, 2008, 12:26am EST
Oh Tonia! Thanks for leading me to your place! It's beautiful and your photos capture it so well! I just love that 5th picture... the texture of the wood is so clear and pure, my fingers could almost feel every ridge.

Thanks for reminding me that there are places like this within easy reach for me, places I should visit more often... especially now that I have a new camera I need to use properly. By your example, I might yet learn to focus my eyes on what's worth preserving in images. Thanks, my friend!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Dec 6, 2008, 1:13am EST
Duckie - some day I am going to venture up your way and we're going to go on a photo expedition!
My favorite period of architecture. Here's hoping Obama brings back the WPA...........for an appropriate period of time!!!
Mugg Muggles, "The Man With the Jive" Dec 6, 2008, 2:24am EST
That certainly does look like it was built to last by folks who actually took pride in craftsmanship.
These photos are dazzling in their detail.
Thank you.
Wilhelmine Estabrook Dec 6, 2008, 6:17am EST
Grand photos. Enjoyed the comments, too.
Jules ~ Dec 6, 2008, 7:03am EST
The size of some of those logs makes the actual building of this structure very impressive indeed. I always wonder at the motivation of the builders to put in such effort. It's aweinspiring, especially the determination to bring a vision to life. Incredible and humbling.
Verie Sandborg Dec 6, 2008, 6:55pm EST
I've seen a number of similar projects in nature preserves in our area, which were built by the Civil Conservation Corps. They, too, are attractive, useful and have withstood the ravages of time since they were built in the 1930s.
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Dec 7, 2008, 4:42pm EST
It does amaze me how well this has stood up to time, and the weather that is visited upon the Ozark mountains.

Thanks everyone.
Barbary Chaapel Dec 7, 2008, 8:31pm EST
The WPA gave people work and hope. This is a very good article, Tonia.
Debbie G. Dec 7, 2008, 11:44pm EST
Tonia, your eye and camera have beautifully highlighted this gorgeous area. It gives rest stop a much deeper meaning. :)
Tory H. Dec 7, 2008, 11:55pm EST
What a wonderful place to stop and rest! You've captured it beautifully.
David S. Dec 7, 2008, 11:55pm EST
This is a marvelous photo essay. I love the varied details you showed us!
Minakshi w. Dec 8, 2008, 2:34am EST
I could almost smell the mountain air, spiked with mist and pine ...and imagine how inspiring a place this must be. A perfect getaway when you need to re-connect with the natural world.
Dave Sandborg Dec 8, 2008, 8:35am EST
I like the construction out of the materials at hand. Sensible, and helps it blend into the landscape.
Priscilla P. Dec 8, 2008, 10:09pm EST
I never ceased to be amazed at the pride and workmanship that went into those WPA projects. They are works of art.
Trish A. Dec 8, 2008, 10:11pm EST
Wonderful subject and excellent shots which celebrate the texture and beauty of the subject.
Mariana T. Dec 9, 2008, 12:23pm EST
Love this Tonia - things made by WPA were so well-made - I did a photo series on the outdoor toilets - privies - that the WPA made around our parish countryside. They're still standing!!! I wonder if someday we'll be doing projects like that again? There are many bridges made during that time as well. Thank you for this lovely photo post - all of the photos are fantabulous! Salud
elizabeth e. Dec 15, 2008, 9:01pm EST
Throughout New Hampshire and Maine at the various state parks you see structures and trails built by the CCC. Perhaps, once again, under Obama conservation projects, such as these, will provide not only work and income for the unemployed but also needed trail work in our parks and reserves.
elizabeth e. Dec 15, 2008, 9:02pm EST
Gorgeous photos....you always see beauty in the rough.
Lou Anne L. Dec 17, 2008, 7:37pm EST
amazing beauty
Tonia, I'm an absolute sucker for rest places such as this. I enjoyed stopping by with you.
Jennifer F. Dec 24, 2008, 3:09pm EST
How beautiful! If it weren't for the WPA, traveling through our country and visiting National Parks wouldn't be what it is today. I love the details that went into those projects. It would be really nice if a similar undertaking were done today to bring people back to work and revitalize our country's infrastructure.

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