Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park History
Acquisition began in 1936 with an unknown funding source. Subsequent acquisitions were funded by the Park Board, LATF and CARL/P2000.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is significant in the twentieth century history of Florida as one of nine elements of the New Deal-inspired Florida state park system and as one of the physical expressions of early- twentieth century recreation planning. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was the first New Deal agency to begin operations in Florida. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) programs constructed an impressive collection of facilities throughout Florida. A considerable portion of the public recreation facilities created by these programs is preserved in the state park system’s New Deal era parks: Florida Caverns State Park, Torreya State Park, Fort Clinch State Park, O’Leno State Park, Gold Head Branch State Park, Ravine State Gardens, Hillsborough River State Park, Highlands Hammock State Park and Myakka River State Park.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park was added to the state park system in 1935. CCC camp SP-5 was installed in July of 1935 at the southern end of the park. The official dedication of the park took place on April 15, 1939, and the CCC camp was deactivated in March 1940 (Historic Property Associates 1989).
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is significant in the twentieth century history of Florida as one of nine elements of the New Deal-inspired Florida state park system and as one of the physical expressions of early- twentieth century recreation planning. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was the first New Deal agency to begin operations in Florida. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) programs constructed an impressive collection of facilities throughout Florida. A considerable portion of the public recreation facilities created by these programs is preserved in the state park system’s New Deal era parks: Florida Caverns State Park, Torreya State Park, Fort Clinch State Park, O’Leno State Park, Gold Head Branch State Park, Ravine State Gardens, Hillsborough River State Park, Highlands Hammock State Park and Myakka River State Park.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park was added to the state park system in 1935. CCC camp SP-5 was installed in July of 1935 at the southern end of the park. The official dedication of the park took place on April 15, 1939, and the CCC camp was deactivated in March 1940 (Historic Property Associates 1989).
