History & Prince William Forest Park

Prince William Forest Park originally called Chopawamsic Recreation Demonstration Area. The Federal One Projects established these RDA's in an attempt to reclaim lost land. Prior to the Great Depression the land was a combination of Private Farm land, Homesteads, and a Pyrite industry. After the collapse of the economy the farms lay destitute, and their livelihoods were torn away from them. The RDA bought the land and established it as a community area complete with 5 cabins, several dams, and multiple trails. The CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps, built all those amenities that formed Chopawamsic. They utilized the land in a time when the land had fallen away from the American grasp.[1] 

The RDA's were and attempt to broaden the American areas, but few people knew of these areas. Written by the Federal Writer's Project, The American Guide Series was a series of publications on tourist areas in the various states. Each Book focused on a different state. The writers for each book were often from those areas, and were out of work writers who qualified for work relief. Each book project worked through collaboration with federal and state identities.[2] These books encouraged American tourism, and sought to provide a federal and state identity of America. [3]