NPS History Collection (HFCA-00093) 

The Douthat Lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, will welcome visitors once again this spring following extensive renovations.  

The work was part of a three-phase project to upgrade Douthat’s CCC-era log cabins. 

Keep reading to learn about this historic structure and how the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks are preserving its legacy. 

History of Douthat’s overnight accommodations 

National Park Service drawing of Douthat Lodge 

Douthat State Park, one of Virginia’s original six state parks, opened in 1936 with 25 CCC-built log cabins and one lodge. In the 1950s, seven additional cinderblock cabins were added, and then, over the years, the park opened the five-bedroom Creasey Lodge and the six-bedroom Beards Mountain Lodge.  

While constructing Douthat, the CCC tested different cabin designs and floor plans, which means each of the park’s log cabins, now nearly 90 years old, is truly unique. 

The lodge is also one of a kind. It was constructed using hand-hewn logs and featured a large terrace, several bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, kitchen and an office. 

The Douthat Lodge featured in the 1937 Virginia State Parks Pamphlet 

It was even included in the National Park Service Park and Recreation Structures design book published in 1938 by NPS Architectural Consultant Albert H. Good. The book highlights nine successfully designed lodges around the country. 

Found during the recent renovations of Douthat Lodge. It reads, “W.M. Taylor and F.R. Driggs put up this ceiling April 30, 1935. We began work on this building October 15, 1934” 

The upgrades 

 
Douthat Lodge is located on a private hilltop  

Renovation of the 2,600-square-foot 1930's CCC-era hand-hewn log structure began in summer 2024. The project team included Greg Holzgrefe, project manager with DCR Design and Construction, Tim Colley of Colley Architects in Blacksburg and Jay Gauldin of TBS Construction in Moneta.

The design intent included preservation of the structure’s historic character, inside and out, while incorporating modern touches. 

Exterior work included repairs to the historic logs and masonry, as well as restoration of the historic windows and shutters. 

Inside, the project began with a complete modernization of mechanical and electrical systems. Craftsmen also undertook intricate woodwork repairs, including the careful removal and reuse of the historic wide plank tongue and groove wall paneling. Where original wood could not be restored, new hardwood flooring was installed to maintain a cohesive aesthetic.  

The kitchen also received significant upgrades, featuring granite countertops, porcelain tile and stainless-steel appliances. Modern plumbing fixtures and finishes were incorporated throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. 

After construction was complete, the lodge was furnished with all-new pieces to complement the renovated spaces. 

Today, the lodge offers five bedrooms and three bathrooms and sleeps 12, with 4 queen beds and 4 twin beds. 

This project was federally funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 

The interior of Douthat Lodge today 

Booking a stay 

 
The kitchen at the Douthat Lodge 

The completion of the Douthat Lodge renovations marks the final step in a multi-year, three-phase project to restore and preserve the park’s original CCC accommodations.

From the rustic cabins to the iconic lodge, each structure has been thoughtfully updated to ensure its historic character remains intact while meeting the needs of today’s visitors.  

This milestone not only protects the legacy of Douthat’s CCC craftsmanship but also ensures future generations can continue to experience the park’s timeless charm. 

Book your stay today at https://reservevaparks.com/web/ or by calling call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK (7275).