Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Chickasaw National Recreation Area - Travertine District, National Park Service

Hohmann, Heidi; Grala, Katarzyna; Curran, Michele

The Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs component landscape is located in the north‑central, western half of the Platt Historic District in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Murray County, Oklahoma. It is located just west of State Hwy 177, which forms the area’s eastern boundary. Broadway Avenue (Hwy 7) bounds the area’s northern limits. To the west, the area is bounded by the former Vendome Well property, which is now also owned by CNRA. Just south of Vendome Well, the western edge of the component landscape is located along the property boundary between CNRA and the town of Sulphur. The southern boundary of the component landscape is Travertine Creek to the east and, to the west, Rock Creek, beginning at the junction of the two streams. The waterway of Rock Creek also serves to divide the landscape into two parts: Flower Park to the east and Black Sulphur Springs to the west. Flower Park is a pedestrian park. With its meandering streams, curving walkways, and pastoral quality it is reminiscent of Romantic landscapes. The Black Sulphur Springs area, with its crescent‑shaped, lake‑like beach (once known as Beach Springs), has maintained its historic primary use as a place for sunbathing, wading, swimming and picnicking. The focal point of this area is a pre‑CCC‑era, Neo‑classically styled pavilion. Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs and the Rock Creek waterway cover approximately 35 acres of wooded stream bank, upland slopes and floodplain habitat. Within this gently rolling wooded terrace and floodplain visitors experience a range of leisure activities. Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs are significant for their 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. Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs comprise one component of the larger significant historic district landscape, and as such, reflect and contribute to the significance of the entire district. Although the area contains features 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 Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs area explicitly reflects the NPS principles of rustic design and construction. The design of the meandering creek from the overflow of Vendome Well, the area’s footpaths and stone steps, its comfort station and its not‑so‑evident creek stabilization work (a stone revetment wall along Rock Creek) 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. Flower Park and Black Sulfur Springs Area may also be significant for their association with Mission 66, a nationwide NPS program that modernized park facilities.

Flower Park and Black Sulphur Springs: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Chickasaw National Recreation Area - Travertine District, National Park Service

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