Fayette County Park (Camp Beckwith) Compendium 1940-1949

Continuing to the next decade of information I can find on the Fayette County Park (Fayette County, WV) – let’s step into the 1940s.

This is the second of at least five blogs I will be posting. Each will cover a decade of articles and information I have available to me. I will start with the 1930s articles and continue forward each day with a new decade.

If you missed the previous blog, it can be found here:

1930s https://seletyn.com/2020/03/31/fayette-county-park-camp-beckwith-compendium-1934-1939/

The intention of these blogs will be to put together as many articles, clippings and facts as I can find about the Fayette County Park, Fayette County WV.

I may happen to omit some – so, if you are interested in a specific event during a specific timeframe – ask and I will gladly take a more concentrated look for it.

If you see any incorrect items PLEASE let me know. I am, by far, no expert on the Park and am just putting information together. ALSO: if you have reference material you would like to offer or suggestions on sites to explore for additional information, I gladly welcome that as well.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy!

Random ponderance: It is interesting, while reading some of these articles, to see how women of society would band together in their groups and committees to ensure the young people who attended camps had activities and nutritious meals. I see that in the articles from the 1930s and the 1940s. In more modern times, these types of huge camps for young people (IMO) seem to be diminishing and, in some cases, are non-existent. Could it be that with the rise in equality for women and the movement of women into the workforce, their focus shifted to careers as their means to express their value in society? Maybe I am far fetched there, but it was something my brain tugged on this morning.

Current Details:

Address 1268 Fayette County Park Rd – Fayetteville, WV 25840

Phone 304-574-1111

Website fayettecountypark@hughes.net

GPS Coordinates (according to Google Maps)
38.07826428514586, -81.15154266357422

From: https://www.whitewaterwhirl.org/fayettecountypark.htm

Park / Camp Rules & Regulations

Park opens at 8:00am and closes at 9:00pm.
A 10-mph speed limit and one-way traffic designation will be enforced within the park.
Trash and garbage is to be disposed of and the area cleaned before leaving.
NO beer or intoxicating beverages are allowed on park grounds.
NO pets allowed! No cats or dogs.
NO soliciting.
Office Hours: 8am – 4pm, Mon-Fri 8am – 6pm, Sat/Sun
NO off-road vehicles allowed on park grounds.
ANY VIOLATION OF THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM THE PARK.

General Information

The park is owned and operated by the Fayette County Commissioners.

Fayette County Park is about five miles west of Fayetteville, WV, near Beckwith, WV.

History of the Park

The Fayette County Park’s origin lies in a land grant from 1925 for 30 acres of land from Loup Creek Collieries, Inc. This grant was originally given to the Fayette County 4-H Club for a camp. During that summer the mess hall, kitchen, and well were constructed. From the beginning development of the park rested upon the shoulders of many donors who eventually turned a dream into a reality.

By 1934 the camp property consisted of not only the mess hall, kitchen, and well but also a three room caretaker’s house nine cabins, a partially completed playing field, a shallow well with hand pump and a Delco LIght Plant. By 1936 a 40 x 60 recreation hall, three swimming pools, and a bathhouse had been added.

In 1954 ownership of the park was passed into the hands of the Fayette County Commission from the original owners.

Also Known As:

Camp Beckwith

4-H Camp

Clippings significant to the upkeep/management/layout: