Backbone State Park

Backbone State Park
Richmond Springs
Map showing the location of Backbone State Park
Map showing the location of Backbone State Park
Coordinates42°37′59″N 91°33′42″W / 42.63306°N 91.56167°W / 42.63306; -91.56167
Area2,001 acres (8.10 km2)
Established1919
Governing bodyIowa Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteBackbone State Park
Backbone State Park Historic District
Area1,415 acres (573 ha)
Built1933-1942
ArchitectJohn R. Fitzsimmons
Architectural styleRustic
MPSCCC Properties in Iowa State Parks MPS
NRHP reference No.91001842[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 23, 1991

Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park, dedicated in 1919. Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River, it is approximately three miles (5 km) south of Strawberry Point in Delaware County. It is named for a narrow and steep ridge of bedrock carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River originally known as the Devil's Backbone. The initial 1,200 acres (490 ha) were donated by E.M. Carr of Lamont, Iowa. Backbone Lake Dam, a relatively low dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, created Backbone Lake. The CCC constructed a majority of trails and buildings which make up the park.

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.