PORTSMOUTH, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has unveiled a new historical marker at Shawnee State Park, honoring Company 1545, a crew of Black World War I veterans whose work during the Great Depression helped lay the foundation for one of Ohio’s most scenic state parks.
The dedication ceremony, held this week at Roosevelt Lake, recognized the contributions of the men who, beginning in 1934, served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at what was then known as the Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve. Company 1545 was instrumental in damming Turkey Creek and Mackletree Run to create Roosevelt Lake, as well as building trails, grading roads, erecting bridges, and constructing shelters that made the rugged Appalachian landscape accessible to visitors.
“Today we honor not only the hard work of these men but also the resilience they showed,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Their contributions laid the foundation for the park experiences that millions of Ohioans and visitors enjoy today.”
The historical marker also tells the broader story of the CCC, a New Deal program that provided work for more than three million Americans between 1933 and 1942. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the program to include 25,000 World War I veterans, who were recruited through the Veterans Administration and exempt from age and marital restrictions.
While approximately 300,000 African Americans served in the CCC, they often faced segregation and discrimination. Company 1545 was one of four Black CCC camps located in Shawnee State Forest. Despite these challenges, their legacy endures in the lakes, trails, and infrastructure that still benefit Ohioans today.
The marker now stands as a permanent reminder of the men’s perseverance and their impact on Ohio’s natural and cultural history.
Shawnee State Park, once the hunting grounds of the Shawnee tribes, today covers 1,095 acres within the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest—often called Ohio’s “Little Smokies.” Visitors can explore miles of trails, enjoy boating and fishing on two lakes, and camp along the Ohio River, with overnight options ranging from cabins and a resort lodge to family campgrounds.
The dedication comes just months after Ohio’s state park system was recognized as the nation’s best, winning the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
