Quartz Mountain Nature Park in southwest Oklahoma grew from a locally funded gift of 158.3 acres beside Lake Altus into one of Oklahoma’s original seven state parks, designated in 1935. Expanded over time to 4,540 acres with access to more than 6,000 acres of reservoir water, it was heavily developed through New Deal conservation work, especially by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which helped build roads, trails, rest rooms, and other facilities. The park later became a resort and arts center, with lodges, a golf course, the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, and a conference center. Its name and management changed several times before returning to the state park system in 2020.