Governor Edward C. Stokes established the Board of Forest Park Reservations in 1905. The new forestry commission acquired 5,432 acres on Kittatinny Mountain in 1907 to create the E. C. Stokes Reserve. Stokes State Forest grew to 12,429 acres by 1933 and included camp and picnic sites with stone fireplaces, 50 miles of hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail, and 30 miles of scenic drives. The Civilian Conservation Corps made improvements between 1933 and 1942, including construction of Lake Ocquittunk in 1934.
