AREAS NO LONGER PART OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM1
1. Atlanta Campaign NHS (Ga.); 1944-1950; five sites, 15 acres. All five sites are managed to commemorate General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign: one part of a larger State historic site, one by the Ga. State Patrol, and three by the Ga. Department of Transportation.
2. Camp Blount Tablets NM (Tenn.); 1930-1944; acreage unknown. Site of an encampment by Andrew Jackson's troops in 1813 and a second encampment by troops enroute to the Second Seminole War in 1836. Originally under War Department; moved to NPS in 1933, but nothing was ever done with the site. Site abolished in 1944.
3. Castle Pinckney NM (S.C.); 1924-1956; 3.5 acres. Under War Department until transferred to NPS in 1933. Closed to public in 1935; sold in 1958 to South Carolina Ports Authority for $12,000. Now owned by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
In 2006, Duncan Morrow sent me the following article from a Charleston, S.C. newspaper. Quote:
Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Lone historian sounding the call to save Castle PinckneyCastle Pinckney, the overgrown brick fort languishing in the middle of Charleston Harbor, is more historic than most people realize, and it could sure use a few good friends.
For too long it has played second fiddle to Fort Sumter, on which the first shot of the Civil War was fired. In fact, there's a good argument that it's as important historically.
It's older than Fort Sumter and is one of only three of its era still surviving.
It's more intact than Fort Sumter, because Pinckney was rarely, if ever, fired upon, while Sumter lost about two-thirds of its structure during the Civil War.
It was even a national monument before Fort Sumter, although the National Park Service never rehabilitated it, mostly used it for storage and later gave it to the state.
The good news is that Castle Pinckney has one friend in Christopher Ziegler a historian with the National Park Service and a scholar delving into its past. Ziegler, 28, is working full-time and researching the fort as part of his pursuit of a second master's degree in history. His eyes brighten visibly when talking about it.The fort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but only on the state level of significance. Ziegler is working to get Castle Pinckney listed as a national landmark, the highest recognition possible.
He thinks it's worthy because of its architectural significance. Not only is it one of only three such fortifications surviving, but even in its neglected condition it likely is more intact than the other two in New York. One of them, Castle Clinton, has been renovated for use as an aquarium, opera house and immigrant station. The other, Castle Williams on Governor's Island, has been converted into an office building.
Ziegler says the castle also is significant because of its association with Maj. Alexander Macomb, who oversaw its completion in 1809 and eventually became major general, the Army's commanding general.
Ziegler also notes that it is significant because of its archaeology. The fort largely was filled in and ignored, and there's no telling exactly what secrets it has to share. "Pretty much everything that was there when the war ended is still there," he says.
And finally, Ziegler plans to bolster his case for landmark status by noting that before the bombardment of Fort Sumter began, Castle Pinckney was seized by 150 Confederate forces without a fight, making it - not Sumter - the first Union fortification lost.
The fort is owned by the State Ports Authority, which has taken some small preservation steps but basically is in the business of moving cargo, not preserving history. The authority lacks the money and the mandate for significant work there. Some have talked of making it a priority for the War Between the States Heritage Trust Commission, but that effort has stalled. Who will step forward to ensure this piece of history gets the attention it needs?
Ziegler says the first steps don't need to be major. The property should be analyzed by an engineer to see if it's stable or needs some sort of urgent repair.
The island's shoreline is eroding and has been bolstered by large rocks. The mortar in its massive walls is eroding, and the fort's interior has been filled in with dirt, which later sprouted the trees and shrubs that can be seen so clearly these days.
"Let's at least go out there and make sure nothing bad is happening," he says. "We don't know that there's nothing bad happening out there."
The next step would be a preliminary archaeological survey - some exploratory work to provide a sense of what's buried there. Once those things are done, a wider discussion could begin about what sort of development or restoration might be feasible and desirable, and who might take that on.
Charleston has had a few significant preservation success stories this year, with the path being cleared for foundation work on the Morris Island Lighthouse and the preservation of the northern tip of that island. Both of those victories came about because enough ordinary people cared enough to step forward and do something.
"That's the problem," Ziegler says of Castle Pinckney. "Who is here that can do it?"
Robert Behre may be reached at 937-5771 or by fax at 937-5579. His e-mail address is rbehre@postandcourier.com, and his mailing address is 134 Columbus St. Charleston S.C. 29403.
End quote.
4. Chattanooga NCem (Ga.); 1867-1944. Transferred to NPS, 1933; to War Department, 1944; now under the Veterans Administration. Cemetery is still active.
5. Father Millet Cross NM (N.Y.); 1925-1940; <1 acre. Part of Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site.
6. Flaming Gorge NRA (Colo.); 1962-1968. Began as a NRA administered jointly by the Forest Service and NPS. Divested to reduce areas jointly administered by the two agencies. See Hartzog, Battling For the National Parks, Chap. X.
7. Fossil Cycad NM (S.D.); 1922-1956; 320 acres. Set aside in 1922 to protect a deposit of fossil cycads, a palm like evergreen bearing large cones and said to be the most primitive form of seed-bearing plants from the Permian Period. The site was never afforded any on-site protection and between 1922 and the 1950s fossil hunters cleaned the site of fossils. Lacking an obvious reason for existence, the site was returned to the Public Domain in 1956. Today the lands remain under the Bureau of Land Management. According to BLM: "...due to the high resource values on that tract, disposal is unlikely." The land "is leased for grazing and has been divided (north and south) by a highway." The former NM status is not marked, nor are the lands available for public use. No visible fossils remain.
8. Georgia O'Keeffe NHS (N.Mex.); 1980-1983; three acres. Authorized but then deauthorized before it was formally established. Now owned by the O'Keeffe Foundation and open for limited public visitation.
9. Holy Cross NM (Colo.); 1929-1950; 1,392 acres. Created to protect a "seasonal cross formation resulting from snow deposits in a 1,500-foot vertical crevasse and 750-foot horizontal ledges," above 13,000-feet elevation. The feature remains, now part of Holy Cross Wilderness in the White River National Forest.
10. Lake Texoma NRA (Tex.); 1946-1949; acreage unknown. Now two state parks, Lake Texoma and Eisenhower. Public access around the lake is a small fraction of the original NRA.
11. Lewis & Clark Cavern NM (Mont.); 1908-1937. A State park.
12. Mackinac NP (Mich.); 1875-1895; about 1,000 acres. Mackinac was the second National Park in the U.S., under the War Department--the same as Yellowstone NP. The debate in Congress on the proposal advanced by Senator Thomas W. Ferry, who was born on the island, paralleled the earlier history of Yellowstone. The enabling legislation is almost identical. The park was transferred to the State of Michigan in 1895 because the Army proposed to abandon the island's fort, thereby leaving no one to care for the park. Though often characterized today as a site obviously unsuited to be a National Park because of developments that had already taken place on the island, it is interesting to note that there were only 35 homes on the island in 1895.2 The then existing hotels were not unlike those later developed in Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon NPs. Today the State Park is about the same size as in 1895.
13. Mar-A-Lago NHS (Fla.); 1972-1980; 17 acres. See Chap. 5.
14. Millerton Lake NRA (Calif.); 1945-1957; 11,605 acres. Now Millerton Lake [State] Recreation Area.
15. National Visitor Center (D.C.); 1968-1981. Washington, D.C.'s, Union Station. Originally planned to become a place to meet and greet visitors to the Nation's Capital, the conversion of the old railroad station was plagued by insufficient funding, unrealistic planning, and bureaucratic squabbles. The concept was abandoned and the station redeveloped privately--and successfully. Again used as a railroad station the site now contains a large mall, theaters, and shops on the DC subway system. Major architectural and historic features of the original building were restored.
16. New Echota Marker NM (Ga.); 1933-1950; 1 acre. The marker, a granite pillar some 25 feet high, was moved about one-quarter mile to the site of the Cherokee National Capitol (1819- 1838). The original 1 acre site adjoins a golf course; it is still owned by the State of Georgia.
17. Old Kasaan NM, (Alaska); 1916-1955; 39.7 acres. The Monument was originally set aside to protect a collection of totem poles of the Haida Indians. Transferred to NPS in 1933, no development took place at the site between that year and 1955, when it was returned to the Forest Service, Tongass National Forest. In about 1970 several of the totem poles in condition to be moved were taken to a "Totem Heritage Center" in Ketchikan, where they can be seen today. In 1974 the lands were selected by the Kavilco Corporation, an Alaska Native village, under terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. In 1979 title passed to Kavilco.
18. Papago-Saguaro NM, (Ariz.); 1914-1930; 2,050 acres. A city and state park and Arizona National Guard installation.
19. Santa Rosa Island NM (Fla.); 1939-1946; 9,500 acres. The area was subsequently included in Gulf Islands NS in 1971.
20. Shadow Mountain NRA (Colo.); 1952-1978; 19,004 acres. Now Arapaho NRA, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
21. Shoshone Caverns NM (Wyo.); 1909-1954; 210 acres. Transferred to the City of Cody, the site was returned to the Federal Government in 1978 because of failure of the City to develop or use the site. The land reverted to the public domain, under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. BLM removed all traces of the "Show Cave," put a gate on the entrance, and now limits public use to people having a special caving permit. The site was renamed Spirit Mountain Caverns.
22. Sully's Hill NP (N.D.); 1909-1931; 960 acres. Long maligned as a National Park3 for its lack of spectacular scenery, Sully's Hill was transferred in 1931 to the Department of Agriculture and renamed a National Game Preserve. Today it is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
23. Verendrye NM (N.D.); 1917-1956; 253 acres, near the town of Sanish, now partly inundated by Lake Sakakwea. A State marker exists today. Set aside originally to mark the spot French explorer Sieur de la Verendrye "first saw beyond the Missouri River" in 1738. Later opinion suggested the site was inaccurately located. [This entry originally placed the NM in South Dakota, and has been corrected with thanks to Vergil E. Noble, PhD, RPA, Archeologist, Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, NE.]
24. Wheeler NM (Colo.); 1908-1950; 300 acres. Set aside to preserve uniquely sculptured volcanic dust formations, the area never received on-site protection, even after transfer to the National Park Service in 1933. Totally surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest the NM was abolished in 1950 and the lands transferred to the Forest Service. The lands were withdrawn from entry under the mining laws, enlarged to 640 acres, and renamed Wheeler Geologic Area.
25. Oak Mountain NRDA (Ala.); 1936-1942; 8,000 acres. A State Park, now 9,940 acres.
26. Mendocino Woodlands NRDA (Calif.); 1936-1942; 6,000 acres. Now Jackson State Forest.
27. Hard Labor Creek NRDA (Ga.); 1936-1942; 4,500 acres. A state park.
28. Alexander Stephens Memorial NRDA (Ga.); 1936-1942; 900 acres. A State Park.
29. Pine Mountain NRDA (Ga.); 1936-1942; 3,500 acres. Now Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park.
30. Pere Marquette NRDA (Ill.); 1936-1942; 3,000 acres. Now part of 8,000-acre Pere Marquette State Park.
31. Versailles NRDA (Ind.); 1936-1942; 6,000 acres. A state park.
32. Winemac NRDA (Ind.); 1936-1942; 6,500 acres. A state park.
33. Otter Creek NRDA (Ken.); 1936-1942; 8,000 acres. Actual acquisition was about 2,500 acres. Transferred to State then to the City of Louisville in 1947. Now about 3,000 acres.
34. Camden Hills, NRDA (Maine); 1936-1942; 7,000 acres. A state park. Actual acreage conveyed to the State was 4,965 in 1948. Now 5,535 acres.
35. Waterloo NRDA (Mich.); 1936-1942; 13,000 acres. Renamed Waterloo Recreation Area; part of State park system.
36. Yankee Springs NRDA (Mich.); 1936-1942; 4,000 acres. Yankee Springs Recreation Area; part of State park system.
37. St. Croix NRDA (Minn.); 1936-1942; 20,500 acres. Part of St. Croix State Park of some 34,070 acres.
38. Lake of the Ozarks NRDA (Mo.); 1936-1942; 14,500 acres. A state park, now 17,213 acres.
39. Cuivre River NRDA (Mo.); 1936-1942; 5,500 acres. A state park, now 6,271 acres.
40. Montserrat NRDA (Mo.); 1936-1942; 5,000 acres. Actual acreage conveyed was 3,341; now 3,549 acres. Renamed Knob Noster State Park.
41. Bear Brook NRDA (N.H.); 1936-1942; 5,500 acres. A state park, about 10,000 acres.
42. Crabtree Creek NRDA (N.C.); 1936-1942; 6,000 acres. Crabtree Creek State Park was combined with Reedy Creek State Park in 1966. The then-combined park was renamed William B. Umstead State Park. Now 5,337 acres.
43. Lake Murray NRDA (Okla.); 1936-1942; 3,000 acres. A state park, now 12,496 acres.
44. Silver Creek NRDA (Oreg.); 1936-1942; 10,800 acres. Acreage conveyed was 5,990; state park now 8,706 acres.
45. Raccoon Creek NRDA (Pa.); 1936-1942; 5,000 acres. A state park, now 7,572 acres.
46. French Creek NRDA (Pa.); 1936-1942; 7,000 acres. A state park, now 7,344 acres.
47. Laurel Hill NRDA (Pa.); 1936-1942; 3,000 acres. A state park, now 3,935 acres.
48. Blue Knob NRDA (Pa.); 1936-1942; 8,000 acres. A state park, now 5,614 acres.
49. Hickory Run NRDA (Pa.); 1936-1942; 13,500 acres. A state park, now 15,500 acres.
50. Beach Pond NRDA (R.I.); 1936-1942; 2,200 acres. Now part of Arcadia Management Area, some 75 square miles including parts of five towns. Within the Arcadia area the State owns about 15,000 acres, including the Beach Pond NRDA lands.
51. Cheraw NRDA (S.C.); 1936-1942; 4,500 acres. A state park.
52. Waysides (S.C.); 1936-1942; 300 acres in 7 counties. Wayside in Greenville County renamed Wildcat Wayside, now 300 acres. Other sites remain under the jurisdiction of the State.
53. Kings Mountain NRDA (S.C.); 1936-1942; 10,500 acres. A state park.
54. Custer Park NRDA (S.D.); 1936-1942; 20,500 acres. A state park, now 73,000 acres.
55. Montgomery Bell NRDA (Tenn.); 1936-1942; 4,000 acres. A state park, now 3,782 acres.
56. Shelby Forest Park NRDA; (Tenn.); 1936-1942; 10,000 acres. Renamed Meeman-Shelby State Park.
57. Falls Creek Falls NRDA (Tenn.); 1936-1942; 7,500 acres. A state park, renamed Falls Creek Falls State Resort Park.
58. Swift Creek NRDA (Va.); 1936-1942; 7,500 acres. A state park.
59. Waysides (Va.); 1936-1942; 384 acres in 6 counties. All transferred to Virginia Department of Transportation. Four parcels have been further transferred to local jurisdictions for recreational uses. DOT still owns two of the tracts, one described as "closed," the other under negotiation for transfer to Pulaski County.
60. Lake Guernsey NRDA (Wyo.); 1936-1942; 1,900 acres. Guernsey State Park, 6,538 acres.
61. St. Thomas NHS (Virgin Islands); 1960-1975; acreage unknown. Fort Christian, built in 1671-80, is the oldest remaining building in the Virgin Islands. Located in downtown Charlotte Amalie, the building was used to house the fire department and civil defense activities of the Virgin Islands government. Though created in 1960 no development took place and the site was transferred to the Virgin Islands government in 1975.
62. White Plains National Battlefield Site (N.Y.); 1926-1956; 4 sites, acreage unknown. Commemorates the Battle of White Plains, involving the forces of George Washington and British General Howe, between October 28 and November 1, 1776. No development ever took place and the Site was abolished in 1956. A private group was formed to identify and preserve as many sites associated with the battle as possible. A 9-mile Heritage Trail remains, voluntarily maintained.
63. National Visitor Center, Washington, D.C., transferred to the Department of Transportation in 1981 after unsuccessfully being developed by the Nation al Park Service. Today it is the AMTRAK railway station and a commercial center of shops, eateries, etc.
64. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (DC); transferred 7/21/94 to the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees.
65. Zuni-Cibola NHP (NM), deleted 10/31/88. Authorized but not established by 10/31/94 deadline.
66. Mound City Group (OH), incorporated in Hopewell Culture NHP 5/27/92.
67. Lower Saint Croix NSR, (WI/MN), 1972-1993); incorporated 2/93 by administrative decision in Saint Croix NSR.
68. Congress created the Oklahoma City National Memorial in 1997, then de-listed it in 2004.
Total: Approximately 286,000 acres in 28 States
NOTES
1 . Much of the original research for this list was done by park enthusiast Alan K. Hogenauer, the results of which were published in Hogenauer, "Gone But Not Forgotten." Quotations are from that source, unless otherwise indicated. Hogenauer's data have been updated and supplemented. The years shown are the one in which the unit was created and the one in which the unit was divested or otherwise dropped from the list of national park system areas.
2 . Widder, Keith R., Mackinac National Park, 1875-1895, Reports in Mackinac History and Archeology, No. 4, (Lansing: Mackinac Island State Park Commission, 1975): 42.
3 . There is doubt whether the Sullys Hill Park site was ever intended to be a National Park. Both an enabling Congressional resolution and the Presidential Proclamation in 1909 omitted the word "National." In later usage, however, the site came to be known as a National Park and was referred to as such in subsequent legislation and at the time it was transferred to the Park Service in 1916.
Page last updated: 03/28/08.