1937 Aerial showing Lone Star Lake construction
Work on a 1,400 foot long, 45 foot high earthen core dam that would eventually create a nearly 200 acre lake began in August 1934. No less than four CCC companies were stationed here over a period of more than 5 years including Co. #2734 in August 1934, Co. #1764 in October 1934, Co. #767 in November 1935, and Co. #1728 in October 1936, although not all companies were assigned to the project at one time. Co. 767 and 1728 were comprised of African-Americans, two of only five such companies involved with projects in Kansas. A Lawrence Journal World account dated July 27, 1940 read "Fishermen stormed Lone Star Lake this morning at the official opening of the new Douglas county resort".
Lone Star Lake was originally the conception of a private group who sold cabin lots to fund purchase of the necessary property. The property, minus the cabin lots, was turned over to Douglas County when additional acreage became necessary for the impoundment and the county issued bonds to cover the purchase. A visit today will bring you to a quiet lake nestled in a wooded valley just a few miles southwest of Lawrence. The property is maintained by Douglas County Public Works; fishing by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
KDWP- Lone Star Lake
The original CCC camp area occupied an upland edge overlooking the valley where the lake was constructed. Today this area is part of the lake campground.
Oblique angle aerial photo (view NW) showing Lone Star Lake
construction. Note CCC camp in foreground.
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