Posted February 24, 2015 | February 19, 2019

Everyone deserves access to nature, and Prince Edward State Park was the one and only park people of color could visit during Virginia’s pre-1964 segregation past.

Twin Lakes State Park offers outdoor recreation and wonderful settings in which to enjoy nature

Because of hard work, bravery, and dedication of people who fought for that right, history was made as well, and a refuge for outdoor recreation was made available to those who’d been shut out before.

Many dances were held at the recreational area at Prince Edward Lake State Park

Civilian Conservation Corps

In June of 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Gallion was established as the headquarters for 1390^th CCC Company. Among many other projects credited to these workers was the construction of the two dams that created Goodwin Lake and Prince Edward Lake recreation areas.

1390 Company CCC Fire Fighters

In June of 1933, the 1390 Civilian Conservation Corps Company, located at Camp Gallion in Prince Edward County, Virginia, were made up of African American members.

But these beautiful legacy sites could not be enjoyed by the people who built them. The 1390^th Company was one of the few African-American CCC groups in the state, and this was an era of rigidly enforced racial segregation in the South.

Dining Hall located near Prince Edward Lake

Maceo Conrad Martin

In 1948 an African-American named Maceo Conrad Martin was denied admission to Staunton River State Park. Martin filed suit challenging Virginia’s policy of providing state parks only for whites; the suit sought to establish “separate but equal” facilities for blacks. 

This legal challenge led to a decision by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Development to expand facilities at an existing recreation area for African-Americans in Prince Edward County and turn it into a full-fledged state park.

Park Development

And in January 1949, Governor William Tuck wrote a special appropriation totaling $195,000 for development of the new Prince Edward State Park for Negroes. Improvements included the construction of an enlarged swimming area, expanded parking lots, new roads, six housekeeping cabins, a bathhouse, and a concession area.

The new park was opened to the public in June 1950, making it Virginia's eighth state park and the only pre-Civil Rights Era state park for African-Americans.

Click here (PDF) to view an historical flyer from the new park.

The swimming beach was very popular for visitors to Prince Edward State Park

Many families gathered at Prince Edward Lake to enjoy the beach and recreational opportunities

A NEW ERA

In 1976 the two areas were merged to form Twin Lakes State Park and today, in the heart of Virginia at a regional and historic crossroads, the park is common ground and a gathering place to discover nature, connect with the past, and explore the meaning of freedom.

Today Twin Lakes State Park is accessible to all, as are all Virginia State Parks, and serve a diverse commonwealth, offering outdoor recreation and wonderful settings in which to enjoy nature.

One park for everyone to enjoy

Beautiful Lodge dedication in April 2017, named after Park Manager Willie Bowen 

Willie Bowen and Herbert Doswell's son

Willie Bowen at the Cabin Dedication on April 22, 2017. With son of former Park Manager Herbert Doswell who saw the park through the turbulent 60’s.

Herb’s research and work made it possible for us to capture the segregationist history of Prince Edward State Park for Negroes.

---

Editor's Note: If you would like to learn more about Twin Lakes State Park, click here. For more information about the history of Virginia State Parks, here.

Posted February 24, 2015 | February 19, 2019