YOUNG CCC BOY CHARLES D. THURLOW PLUNGES TO HIS DEATH ON BEECH MOUNTAIN - ACADIA, 1939

Deaths In Acadia National Park;

July 27, 1939

C.C.C. boys were fatal as the boy plunged from a cliff on Beech Mountain, killing him instantly.  Clarence D. Thurlow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Thurlow, died Sunday after noon when he fell from the top of a high Beech Hill cliff, where he had gone to cool off and enjoy the views.  He was seated near the edge of the cliff, witnesses said, when he lost his balance as he attempted to change his position, plunging head first over the cliff.  His body struck and lodged on a narrow rock ledge below, about half way down the face of the cliff.
Witnesses saw him fall and that he was wearing C.C.C. clothing and ran to a nearby C.C.C. camp to report the tragic accident.  A doctor along with a student doctor at the C.C.C. camp hurried to the scene and made their way down the dangerous cliff to the boy.  Using ropes it took them two hours to reach the boy but the boy was already dead.  His body was brought back to the C.C.C. camp while they waited for officials to arrive.


 During the nine years the CCC was stationed at Acadia, they completed hundreds of projects. The majority of these were in forestry, such as fire fighting, fuel reduction, and disease control. The “boys” also performed most of the work in constructing the park’s two campgrounds, Blackwoods and Seawall. Their most enduring and endearing successes, though, are the stunning and unusual trails that lead hikers into the heart of Acadia, such as the Ocean Path and Perpendicular Trail. Granite blocks weighing more than a ton were carefully cut and laid by hand. Thousands of dead or downed trees were cleared. The work was hard, but fulfilling, and through their efforts, the CCC opened, protected, and beautified Acadia National Park.

Beech Mountain Cliffs

When you arrive at the Echo Lake parking area you can't help notice the high cliffs along the western side to your left. The cliffs continue along the western shore of Echo Lake as well. There is a hiking trail that leads up the side of the cliffs from the parking area starting at the far end. Extreme caution should be used while on this trail and after arriving at the top of the cliffs.