Big Springs Lodge and Cabins - Van Buren, MO - Chalet, Cottage, and Cabin Style Lodging on Waymarking.com

This lodge and cabins are located in Van Buren, MO inside the Ozark National River way National Park of Big Springs. It was designed by Donald A. Blake, then working for the Civilian Conservation Corps. (1933-1934). They first built 3 cabins, of the natural rock found in the hillsides where they built the cabins. They then brought 3 cabins from the rivers edge up the mountain side to add to the structure they were building. They used "rustic" Old England "half timber" construction. The purpose was to provide modern accommodations that blended into the surrounding terrain and did not cause an intrusion into the natural scene.
14 cabins
1 to 8 persons per
10 full kitchens with 2 burner stoves
plumbing
12 cabins have fireplaces
Microwaves, toasters, coffee makers
Home web site: Big Spring Lodge and Cabins

The workers laid out a trail along the cliff to the back of the spring that blended in with the natural environment. They also built a stone ledge wall in the spring branch to stop animals from entering. In 1936, a dining lodge, a walled entrance station, and parking lot were under construction. The buildings featured the rustic style of architecture popularized by the National Park Service. They were made with local materials, especially rough-cut limestone quarried nearby and timber and lumber stained dark brown. Today, the results of the CCC's work at Big Spring remain one of the most impressive collections of Depression era work projects in the state of Missouri.

Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. Additional pictures are appreciated of the area and facility to help others identify if this is the kind of place they want to stay. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit

Notify the waymark owner of any changes in the status of the facility to ensure the waymark description is kept current. This may include changes in rates, area attractions, renovations, additions to facilities, increased lodging restrictions, etc.

If you visit and find the facility is closed permanently, notify both the group officers and waymark owner of the change. We will then update the waymark description and name to include the words "Closed permanently", and may consider the waymark to be archived.