Iowa's First State Park: Iowa Time Machine May 28, 1919

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On May 28, 1919, Backbone State Park became Iowa’s first state park. Located in the Maquoketa River Valley, the park near Strawberry Point features steep ridges of carved bedrock along the river known as “The Devil’s Backbone”. It continues to welcome thousands of visitors each year.

Edward M. Carr bought 1,200 acres during the 1890s to protect the Backbone Ridge, leading Iowa Park and Forestry Association member Thomas Macbride to suggest the area as Iowa’s first state park. At its inaugural meeting in December 1918, the State Board of Conservation approved a recommendation to buy the land. While the purchase took over a year, by May 28, 1920, Backbone State Park had officially opened, offering new outdoor opportunities to Iowans.

Development of the park followed slowly, and in 1925, initial tree planting commenced. Plans for a roadway began, but tensions emerged over how the park should value preservation (keeping lands as pristine as possible) vs. conservation (multiple use), stalling development during the 1920s and early 1930s. Eventually, the multi-use faction won the debate, opening the door for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to establish two camps at the park. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC built overnight cabins, picnic areas, hiking trails, camping areas, and other features throughout the park. During 1933 and 1934, the CCC constructed the dam, spillways, and the iconic sundial and bathhouse near the park's southern end. Also around the same time, work on the Backbone Trail and steps, allowing hikers to take in breathtaking views along the top of Backbone Ridge.

The 2,001-acre park contains large stands of oak and maple and provides a wonderful representation of the driftless geology left unglaciated during the last Ice Age. Twenty miles of multi-use trails still exist in the park today, and a variety of local wildlife call Iowa’s first state park home. #Iowa #OTD #History #Parks #PublicLands