Discover Damascus: Ozark Scenery and CCC History

Damascus lies in the foothills of the Ozarks on a plateau surrounded by clear streams. The landscape and history shape the area in different ways: alongside its natural setting are traces of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), older community buildings, and the history of the Titan II missile. Those planning a stay can therefore get to know Damascus through both its landscape and the various chapters of its history.

Ozark Scenery and Getting Your Bearings

The plateau and clear streams give the landscape around Damascus its distinctive character. One specific point of reference is Pine Mountain Creek, which lies north and west of Damascus. Details like these help put the area's natural surroundings in context without reducing its landscape to a single point.

When planning your trip, you can consider whether the landscape or regional history will be the focus of your stay. Both perspectives are part of Damascus, but they lead to different topics: on one hand, the Ozark region and its streams; on the other, the history of the CCC, the community, and Titan II.

The Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps

CCC Camp Damascus was established on June 1, 1935, to rehabilitate farmland in the Damascus area. Three structures from the CCC era remain on the site of Camp Damascus. The stone entrance arch dates to 1936 and bears the inscriptions “CO-3781” and “V-CCC.” Also on the site are a stone arched dining table built around 1935 and a well completed in 1935. At this well, stone buttresses form a four-pointed arch.

The different forms and inscriptions give Damascus's CCC history a distinctive profile. The name Damascus CCC Camp No. 3781 Historic District also refers to a collection of stone structures associated with a Civilian Conservation Corps facility in Damascus. The CCC Worker Statue is located at the former site of Company 3781, SCS-5, on private land owned by the Dipert family.

Community History and Local Traditions

The older community buildings also reflect a range of uses. The Baptist Church in Damascus was completed in 1889 and later used as a school building. The Church of Christ is considered the oldest church in the Damascus community. Damascus High School was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1992. Together, these places offer a glimpse into Damascus's architectural and community history, though they do not tell the same story.

Another trace leads to Fowler Cemetery, established around 1903 in the Damascus area. Alongside buildings and the cemetery, a custom is also part of local history: during the sorghum harvest, candy pulling was a popular activity in the Damascus community. This tradition adds a community aspect of everyday life in the past to the architectural history.

The History of the Titan II Missile

Construction of a Titan II missile base began in 1961 in the area just north of Damascus. The facility became operational on December 18, 1963. Another chapter in the history of Titan II is the 1980 disaster, which occurred one mile north of Damascus. It began with a leak of fuel and oxidizer: an airman dropped a wrench, which punctured the missile casing. The construction, opening, and disaster mark different stages in this regional history.

When choosing a vacation rental, you can first decide which topics interest you most: the Ozark landscape, traces of the CCC, the community's history, or the events surrounding the Titan II missile. This lets you tailor your stay to your interests and discover Damascus from more than one perspective.

Discover more destinations: Conway, Greenbrier.

For the broader travel overview: Faulkner.