In April 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps to put young Americans to work and to carry out conservation projects nationwide. Through a partnership between the U.S. Army and the National Park Service, several CCC camps operated in Allegany State Park from 1933 to 1940. The earliest tent camp in the park, Camp S.P. 33, Co. 249 - Red House, NY., stood at the intersection of present day ASP 1 and Lower Stone Tower Road. One of Company 249’s first projects was building the road that now loops around the Stone Observation Tower, connecting State Park Avenue back down to ASP 1 near Camp 33. The same men also began work on an observation tower one-half mile north of their camp, later known as Stone Tower. Construction began in October 1933 and was completed in the spring of 1934, using stone collected and cut in Allegany State Park. The octagonal tower stands at an elevation of 2,250 feet and overlooks Salamanca to the north and Red House Lake to the south. A capital "N" was carved in the center of the deck with an arrow through it to indicate north. Although natural growth over the years has changed the surrounding appearance, the scenic vista remains. The tower has been used to observe the surrounding forest and starry nights, and it has also hosted special events and weddings. Musical entertainment atop the tower was a popular attraction in the 1960s and 1970s.