History
The 65,000 acres (260 km2), Allegany State Park began on May 2, 1921, when an Act of the New York State Legislature approved the purchase of a 7,000 acres (28 km2) tract of land in the Quaker Run Valley. The land was purchased for $50,000.00 (half of the money was raised locally as per the legislature agreement) on June 18, 1921. It was purchased through the Holland Land Company in the Quaker Run Valley. The park was formally dedicated on July 30, 1921.
Senator Albert T. Fancher was appointed by New York Governor Nathan Lewis Miller to head a 5 member team to develop a vast park that continues to grow to this day. Fancher is known as the "Father of Allegany State Park," and the seven Fancher Cottages in Allegany State Park are named after him.
A converted schoolhouse (near the present day Quaker Inn) served as the park's first administration building, and World War I Army Surplus Tents, on 16'x16' wooden platforms were primarily used during the time between the park's creation until the completion of the first permanent cabins in 1925.
The first State Park Bond Issue was passed in 1924, and provided funds for the development of the Redhouse Area, including the construction of the Redhouse Administration Building and the building of the Redhouse Dam, which created Redhouse Lake.
In 1926, Science Lake was built and offered the first official swimming area in the park. Adjoining the lake was the Allegany School Of Natural History, a group of 42 cabins, and a main building housing a library, several science laboratories, and an assembly room. The park was developed extensively between 1933 and 1942 when the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) took on the project of building roads, bridges, camping areas, trails, and picnic areas. The CCC were also responsible for numerous conservation projects from reforestation to stream bank retention and wildlife improvements.
Through the years, the park was developed further with the addition of Quaker Lake, winterized cabins and full service cottages, hiking and snowmobile trails, picnic and recreation areas, bike and horse paths, and better roads enabling people to access the park.
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