By EMILY D. COOK / Community Columnist

Oak Mountain State Park is the largest state park in Alabama with close to 10,000 acres, but it hasn’t always been that way.

Let’s take a look through the years to see how Oak Mountain began.

In 1927, the State Land Act was instrumental in acquiring 940 acres atop Double Oak Mountain surrounding Peavine Falls, all during a time when conservation of the state’s natural resources became important.

During the 1930s, the National Park Service acquired 8,000 acres surrounding the park. During this time, two important groups, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, developed the land known as the Oak Mountain Recreation & Demonstration Area.

The CCC did work on the park until October 1937, when they moved to work on Yosemite National Park.

The men of the WPA stayed until the beginning of World War II.

In April 1943, the National Park Service deeded the 8,000 acres of land bordering the existing 940-acre park to the state of Alabama.

Land acquisitions during the Wallace era (1963-67) brought the total land acreage to 9,940.

Not much was done to improve the park during this time. Construction of the park began in 1971, after state legislature passed Act No. 272 allowing millions of dollars for construction, renovation and development of Alabama State Parks.

Many of the culverts built by the CCC and WPA can still be seen today. Tranquility Lake, on which the cabins are located, was built during that time as well.

The road leading to Peavine, along with the Red Road, is part of the infrastructure that was built and remains.

Amenities of Oak Mountain State Park today include the 18-hole championship golf course, petting farm and stables, campgrounds (primitive, modern, and equestrian), 10 cabins, playgrounds, Treetop Nature Trail, Alabama Wildlife Center, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, archery park, Flipside Watersports, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and more.

How long have you been visiting Oak Mountain State Park? Months, years, decades?

Please remember that you keep Alabama State Parks open by supporting them.