Date: February 8, 2008
Contact: Susie Staples, 580/622-7220

Superintendent Bruce Noble of Chickasaw National Recreation Area announced today that a project to repair the Hillside Spring masonry structure will begin Monday, February 11, 2008.  The historic preservation crew from Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, and park staff will be working on the project over the next two months.  Park staff has removed trees in order to gain equipment access and prepare the Hillside Spring site for excavation.

The Buffalo Pasture Trail will remain open but will be rerouted in the Hillside Spring area to provide a safe route for visitors around the construction zone.  All trail users are asked to stay on the temporary detour trail and away from the construction zone during this time.

Work on the Hillside Spring complex will involve excavation of the area behind the stone walls to install drainage piping and a barrier to prevent water from seeping through the wall and causing further damage to the masonry work.  Work will also be done on the spring box, and its associated piping to improve water collection and delivery to the display pools.  Removal of the mineral deposits and moss from the face of the structure will be completed before the mortar and stone work is repaired and returned to its original appearance.

This “rustic” stone structure and three hundred others were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s.  Chickasaw National Recreation Area has a large backlog of stone repair work that needs to be completed to preserve them.  Designated National Park Service project funds made possible the repair of the Hillside Spring structure this year.  Park staff is making long term plans to repair additional historic stone structures in order to preserve and protect these very important pieces of our nation’s history.