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Colby Lake Recreation Area Construction of the Colby Lake Recreation Area was completed by the Partridge River Civilian Conservation Corps between March and August of 1940, and has recently been called a CCC Camp. However, the Corps built the facilities as an intentional recreation area including a shelter and bathhouse. It has been referred to as the CCC camping area and the Boy Scouts camping area prior to being re-named. Camping is no longer allowed at the facility, however, it is a popular picnic and recreation spot. Steven Chambers - 2015 Improvements In the summer of 2015, Minnesota Power, Lakehead Constructors, the City of Hoyt Lakes and many local volunteers partnered to restore the pavilion by installing a new roof, replacing deteriorated logs, staining the pavilion and improving access to Colby Lake. Thanks to the generous donations and hard work of the above listed companies and volunteers, the Steven Chambers building will continue to be a site for community scouting trips, weekend camping and outdoor recreation.
Who was Steven Chambers? Steven Michael Chambers was born to Robert and Claire Chambers in St. Paul, Minnesota. His family moved to Hoyt Lakes in 1956. He was a boy scout and a Mesabi Daily News carrier. When he was in ninth grade at the Aurora Junior High School, he suffered brief illness and passed from leukemia on May 18, 1960. He was 14 years old. His passing impacted many people. On May 24, 1960, the City of Hoyt Lakes re-named the CCC camping area to the Steve Chambers Camping Area in memory of Steven Chambers. What was the CCC? The Civilian Conservation Corps was an important facet of a large public works program following the Depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's. The purpose of the program was to provide employment for thousands of idle young men in meaningful and worthwhile forestry, conservation and park projects. The camp consisted of about 200 men who worked a five day, forty hour week. The men received food, shelter, clothing and a base pay of $30 per month - $25 of which was sent home to their parents. (Excerpts from the Hoyt Lakes 50th Anniversary Book) The Partridge River Civilian Conservation Corps Camp was located on Allen Road (now Allen Junction Road) near Partridge River from November 1935 until all CCC camps closed due to World War II in 1942. The camp had seven barracks, a large mess hall and kitchen, hospital, library, recreation room, auditorium, supply room, garages, and warehouses. In addition, the camp had its own electric plant, water system, and sewer system. (The Aurora News, April 7, 1938. Courtesy of the Iron Range Historical Society.) As of April of 1938, the CCC Camp was responsible for patrolling and maintaining fire protection for 200,000 acres of forest, constructing 21 miles of road, constructing two bridges over the St. Louis River, constructing the ranger buildings in Aurora, building a 110 foot lookout in Skibo, improving 450 acres of timber, clearing 18 miles of roadside, constructing 21 miles of telephone line, seeding 240 acres of jackpine trees, planting 500 acres of Norway pine trees, lake and stream surveys, stocking approximately 25 million fish in lakes and streams, grouse and deer counts, road surveys, and staffing check-in stations during deer season. Plans for 1938 included planting 1,500 acres with 1.25 million Norway and white pine trees, completion of the road to the Skibo tower, working to complete the road to Stony Lake (and then Babbitt), training of fire crews, preparation for forest fires, and building a good baseball team. The CCC Camp company played a critical role in the Palo-Markham Fires in 1936, which burned over 17,000 acres. (The Aurora News, April 7, 1938. Courtesy of the Iron Range Historical Society.) 2024 Fire At 9:13 pm on Thursday, June 6, 2024 the East Range Police Department responded to a fire at the Steven Chambers Recreational Area. The structure was significantly damaged. At this time, Minnesota Power, Lakehead Constructors, a group of volunteers, and the City of Hoyt Lakes are assessing next steps regarding the property.
The Hoyt Lakes Fire Department was assisted by Hoyt Lakes EMS Department, Aurora Fire Department, Palo Fire Department, and Gilbert Police Department. |
