From the spring of 1935 to the summer of 1937, two Civilian Conservation Corps companies and a Works Progress Administration work force of 300 men constructed the recreation area along Swift Creek. Their work included three group camps, CCC barracks, maintenance buildings, water and sewer facilities, toilets, picnic shelters, camping grounds, foot trails, a day use area, amphitheater, kiln, blacksmith shop, and three dams, one of which created Swift Creek Lake. All of these facilities, except Group Camp 7, the CCC barracks, and the blacksmith shop, remain in some form today.