Bromide Springs/Bromide Hill: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Chickasaw National Recreation Area - Travertine District, National Park Service

Hohmann, Heidi; Grala, Katarzyna; Curran, Michele

The Bromide Springs and Bromide Hill landscape is located in the western edge of the Platt Historic District along the park’s perimeter road, just east of Rock Creek Campground and west of Walnut Grove, in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Murray County, Oklahoma. The area received its name because of two springs that historically provided medicinal waters for public consumption. The area is located on axis with 12th Street and is bounded to the north by Lindsay Avenue and a residential area of Sulphur. The southern loop of the perimeter road bounds the area to the south and west. The landscape contains a large picnic area and entry landscape located on a flat terrace to the north of Rock Creek as well as the steep bluff to the south, where the Bromide Hill overlook and associated parking area are located. Formerly used as a campground and gathering area, the level area south of the creek is today a park‑like landscape of grass and canopy trees, used primarily for picnicking today. This zone contains an entry landscape of piers and fountains, as well as a number of structures including a pavilion and comfort station. There are a number of roads crossing the level area below the bluff, including the perimeter road, which then circles south to provide access to the bluff overlooking the picnic area. The overlook area includes a small parking lot and trails leading to the overlook. The trails further connect with the Pavilion Springs, Buffalo Pasture and Bromide or Cliffside Trails, which provide access to the landscape from many other areas of the district. The landscape is approximately 59 acres in size, with Bromide Springs containing approximately 27.5 acres and Bromide Hill, 31.5 acres. The Bromide Springs/Bromide Hill cultural landscape retains integrity, and is in good condition. The period of significance is 1933‑1940. It is significant for its location within the Platt Historic District. The Platt Historic District is significant for its association with the development of National Park landscapes completed during the depression and funded as part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “New Deal” programs. The district is also significant as embodying the characteristics of the type, period, and methods of construction typical of the “rustic style” of park design developed by the National Park Service in the years between World War I and World War II (1916‑1942) under the leadership of Thomas Vint. In general terms, “rustic” park design limited development to preserve natural scenery and designed buildings and structures in keeping and in harmony with the natural landscape. This meant using hand craftsmanship, local architectural styles and natural materials such as stone, wood and native plants in the design of each park structure or element. Bromide Springs and Bromide Hill comprise one component of this larger significant district landscape, and as such, reflect and contribute to the significance of the entire district. Although the area contains elements dating to before 1930, the large majority of this component landscape was constructed in the 1930s by CCC crews. In its site planning, architectural style, landscape architectural design and small‑scale features, the Bromide Springs and Bromide Hill Area explicitly reflects the NPS principles of rustic design and construction. The design of the Pavilion, the area’s rugged trails and stone steps, its comfort station and entry piers and fountain are all excellent examples of the CCC‑era landscape engineering projects undertaken in Platt National Park and throughout the country. Because of these elements, this individual landscape contributes to the significance of the overall district and enables the district to convey its significance. In addition, because this component landscape exists in a predominantly intact state, it contributes to the integrity of the overall district.

Bromide Springs/Bromide Hill: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Chickasaw National Recreation Area - Travertine District, National Park Service

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